Figure 2.

Neurodevelopmental and neuroprotective actions resulting from the membrane incorporation and metabolism of DHA. DHA increases PS in the neuronal membrane as DHA-containing phospholipids are the best substrate for PS biosynthetic activity. Susceptibility to neuronal cell death is reduced by increasing the PS level. Certain metabolites of free DHA can also exert neuroprotective effects. DHA, docosahexaenoic acid; PC, phosphatidylcholine; PE, phosphatidylethanolamine; PS, phsphatidylserine. Adapted from references [6,17].