My studies are centralized to explore
the effects of diet on metabolic dysfunction and its capacity to influence
the vulnerability for life challenges. As metabolic disorders are tightly
related to unhealthy dietary habits, it is crucial to understand what
aspects of the diet could be used to counteract metabolic dysfunction and
promote mental health. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid,
constitutes more than 30% of the total phospholipid composition of plasma
membranes in the brain, and thus can affect synaptic function and
cognitive abilities by providing membrane fluidity at synaptic regions.
Omega-3 fatty acids can not be synthesized de novo in mammals; they can
only obtain through diet and, during gestation and lactation from mother.
This implies that lack of dietary omega-3-fatty acids during brain
development can increase the susceptibility for life challenges such as
brain trauma and may predispose the brain towards neuronal insults later
in life. Given the impact of diet on mental health, I focus to understand
the mechanistic basis through which diet influences brain functions, which
will help us to determine how best to manipulate diet in order to promote
mental fitness.
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Rahul Agrawal, Ph.D.
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