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3D model of DHA

This site provides basic educational information on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), or Parkinson's disease (PD), and some of the key molecules likely implicated in their pathogenesis.

For example, the protein called alpha-synuclein and certain highly  polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as docosahexaenoic acid, (DHA)¹, are likely implicated in the pathogenesis of PD.

Neuronal cell membranes consist of a bilayer primarily composed of various phospholipids, cholesterol, and  integral proteins that function as cell-surface receptors, enzymes, and various transporters. The fatty acid (FA) composition of phospholipids determines biophysical (and functional) characteristics of membranes (e.g., membrane "fluidity"), and plays an important role in cellular integrity, and intra and intercellular communication (signaling). Furthermore, there is growing literature evidence indicating that DHA and alpha-synuclein may be involved in the pathogenesis of PD. Please see the Literature References section for recent literature overview of relevant topics.

  Click on the image thumbnail (upper right) to see a larger image of a 3D model of DHA in a separate window.

Figure 1. Chemical structure of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

¹Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid with six cis double bonds and 22 carbons (22:6n-3).

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 Last Updated: April 2008 | Disclaimer