Deficit Of Prepulse Inhibition In Mice Caused By Dietary N-3 Fatty Acid Deficiencies

Docosahexatenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may be biosynthesized from a precursor alpha-linolenic acid (LNA) or obtained preformed in the diet. Dams were fed four diets with different level, of the various n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation, and their offspring were weaned to the same diet,. "n-3 Deficient." containing (as % total fatty acids) 0.07% of LNA; "Low LNA" (0.4%): "High LNA" (4.8%), and a "DHA + EPA(-) diet, containing 0.4% of LNA. 2%. DHA. ani 2%. EPA. Sensorimotor gating was measured by prepulse inhibition (PPI) or the acoustic startle response in C57B16 mice The n-3 Deficient and Low LNA diets caused a substantial deficit in PPI compared to the DHA + EPA diet, whereas the High LNA diet induced a less pronounced, bill significant reduction of PPI. These are the first data that demonstrate a deficit in sensorimotor gating in rodents caused by an inadequate amount of the n-3 fatty acids in the diet Our results differentiate the effects of a High LNA diet from one with added EPA and DHA even though the difference in brain DHA content is only 12% between these dietary groups