Effect of nutritional manipulation on brain function: implications for future research.

摘要

I am writing about the recently published review by McCann and Ames (1). This review addresses the behavioral effects of n-3 fatty acids in humans and animals. The authors are to be commended on their thoroughness in researching the extensive literature on this topic and in invoking the necessary methodologic considerations when evaluating the outcomes of studies conducted in both animals and humans. In their discussion of the various behavioral studies included in this review, they raise an important issue-that different neural systems might be affected differently by nutritional manipulations, and, thus, some outcomes might be more sensitive indicators than others with respect to the role of a particular nutrient. From my perspective as a behavioral scientist who works with rodents, I would like to expand on this observation and explore the implications for future research.