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Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science pp 1–5Cite as

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)

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Synonyms

Essential fatty acids; Omega-3 fatty acids

Definition

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is one of the major polyunsaturated fatty acids and a metabolite of the omega-3 family fatty acids. DHA is the most prevalent polyunsaturated fatty acid in the central nervous system, located in the membrane phospholipids of the mammalian brain, particularly in the phosphatidylethanolamine portion of cell membranes, and retinal cells. DHA accounts for 40% of the membrane phospholipid fatty acid in the brain and is found at rates of more than 30% in the whole retina and up to 60% in the discs of the rod photoreceptor cells. DHA is a very long-chain fatty acid, made up of a 22-carbon backbone and six double bonds. The large side chain and a high degree of unsaturation are properties that appear to grant properties to cell membrane phospholipids that are unique in function and structure, particularly to those in the retina and neuronal synapses in the brain.

Introduction

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA

    Nikki Clauss & Ashley Rankin

Authors
  1. Nikki Clauss
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  2. Ashley Rankin
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Correspondence to Nikki Clauss .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  2. Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA

    Jennifer Byrd-Craven

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Clauss, N., Rankin, A. (2017). Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_743-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_743-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

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