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The Omega-3 Research Institute, Inc.
(O3RI) is an independent, not-for-profit corporation devoted to
facilitation of research, communication and education on omega-3
(n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). O3RI pursues the
elucidation and understanding of the functions and mechanisms by
which omega-3 PUFAs exert their physiologic effects in nutrition,
prevention of disease and therapeutics. It also seeks to reach a
better understanding of the roles omega-3 PUFAs play as essential
fatty acids (EFAs) among saturated, monounsaturated (MUFA) and other
PUFAs, such as the omega-6s (n-6). O3RI strives to facilitate
communication among scientists in the appropriate fields, to foster
research and development and to educate professionals, the public
and officials of the roles of omega-3 PUFA in health and
disease.
Omega-3 Research Institute,
Inc. 3
Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 700, Bethesda, MD 20814. Tel:
301/961-1918 Fax: 301/417-9087 E-Mail: omega3ri@aol.com
The Consortium for Brain Fatty Acids
The Consortium for Brain Fatty
Acids (CFBFA) is a centrally managed, administered and coordinated
collaborative association of research groups that conduct focused
research on the role of brain fatty acids in health and
disease. The Scientific Director of each group and the
associated analytical laboratory bring a wealth of expertise and
experience to address issues of client interest.
Objectives of the
Consortium
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To facilitate progress in
understanding the functions of fatty acids and their derivatives
in the healthy and diseased central nervous system (CNS) by
providing: 1) basic or clinical research and development
services; 2) interdisciplinary collaborations; 3) analytical,
clinical and diagnostic "gold standard" laboratory
service.
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To elucidate the
preventative and therapeutic potential of polyunsaturated
(essential) fatty acids and their derivatives in disorders of the
CNS, such as bipolar mood disorder, unipolar depression,
schizophrenia, brain developmental and inherited metabolic
disorders, inflammatory disease, stroke, neurodegenerative
diseases of aging, brain cancers, retinal degeneration,
etc.
Clientele
Recent basic and clinical research
results indicate that long chain omega-3 PUFAs such as
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n3); docosahexaenoic acid (DHA,
22:6n3) and arachidonic acid, AA, 20:4n6, and their derivatives
may play important physiologic roles in mood and neurodegenerative
disorders. Examples are bipolar disorder and unipolar
depression; schizophrenia; brain developmental disorders (such as
peroxisomal biogenesis disorders, autism and attention
deficit-hyperactivity disorder); neurodegenerative diseases of aging
including Alzheimer’s disease and brain cancers. The
specialized expertise required for working with fatty acids rendered
the establishment of this resource imperative. The specialized
expertise provided by this Consortium is required for understanding
some of the research issues. For example, areas in need of further
research are a) fatty acid transport through membranes such as the
cerebrovascular endotheliun or blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the
developing and mature brain, b) shuttling of fatty acids among the
BBB, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and neurons; c) intermediary
metabolism of fatty acids, especially essential PUFA, in
oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and neurons in the developing and adult
brain; d) brain functions of PUFA including possible role in signal
transduction; e) development of new non-invasive methods for
quantitation of PUFA and phospholipids in the live human brain by
use of animal models of disease; f) diagnosis of disease states and
profiling of PUFA in the liver, plasma, erythrocyte membranes
and the brain; e) assessment of potential preventive and therapeutic
interventions in the above and other diseases, etc.
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