Ômega-3 e sua interferência na atividade elétrica cortical de ratos Wistar jovens

Abstract

The effects of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) on brain activity have been evaluated. These omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) act to protect neurons and have anti-amyloid, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherogenic properties. Because of the above, the present research sought to verify whether omega-3 had effects on the brain electrical activity of young Wistar rats supplemented for 50 days. The electrocorticogram (ECoG) record was subjected to non-linear mathematical analysis, obtaining the spectral density of the waves present in the ECoG, the Lempel-Ziv complexity index (CLZ), and the alpha exponent of the trendless fluctuation analysis (DFA). The data obtained indicate that supplementation with omega-3 promoted a change in the pattern of brain activity of the animals. The spectral density was higher for slow waves in both experimental groups, with a characteristic of self-similarity in these groups, assessed by the CLZ method. Both the total register and the delta rhythm showed a persistent long-range correlation. On the other hand, theta, alpha, and beta rhythms showed a correlation of the anti-persistent type, with a significant difference for the θ wave in the evaluated period.