Table 1 Effects of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids on cholinergic parameters

SHRSP rats, 6 weeks old

DHA 1% or 5% (w/w) of diet

14 weeks

Increased ACh in hippocampus and cortex

[41]

Wistar rat, 18 months

75 mg DHA/ 100 g diet

3 months

Increased basal and evoked ACh in hippocampus

[22]

Wistar rat, weanling

2 or 3 g DHA/kg diet

2–3 months

Higher maximal ACh release, lower basal release in hippocampus

No effect on AChE

[23]

CFY rats, weanling

Coconut, mustard, groundnut, safflower oil 20% (w/w) of diet

16 weeks

Safflower and mustard oil lowered AChE activity in synaptosomes of cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem

[33]

Wistar rats, 10 weeks old

300 mg DHA/ kg body weight

12 weeks

No change in cortical synaptic plasma membrane AChE activity

[34]

Sprague–Dawley rats, young adult

Safflower oil 38% kcal of diet; fish oil 36% kcal of diet

8 weeks

Safflower oil decreased M2/M4 receptor expression in striatum and hippocampus

[26]