Use of Omega-3 Fatty Acids to Inhibit Drug-Induced Inflammation and Synaptic Alterations

Led by Dr. Jana Ponce

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Study Overview:

Repeated exposure to psychostimulants, including methamphetamine (METH), induces a chronic inflammatory state and synaptic alterations which are associated with psychological and behavioral deficits as well as neurodegenerative diseases. Emerging evidence suggests an essential role for neuroinflammation3 and synaptic plasticity in promoting addiction-related brain and behavioral deficits for which there are currently no effective pharmacological treatments. This study aims to research how omega (n)-3 fatty acids (FA) impact behavioral deficits through resolution of inflammation and synaptic alterations in people suffering from METH-substance use disorder (SUD), a population at risk for both n-3 FA deficiency and neuroinflammation. Our overarching hypothesis is dietary n-3 FA mitigates METH-induced neuroinflammation, synaptic alterations and subsequent behavior changes.

Specific Aims:

(Aim 1): Determine if dietary n-3 FA supplementation mitigates METH-induced systemic inflammation.

(Aim 2): Investigate the impact of n-3 FA supplementation on mechanisms associated with chronic METH-induced synaptic alterations and behavior changes.

Study Sample Population:

These preclinical experiments will be conducted in male and female Sprague Dawley rats (24 males and 24 females).

Unique Study Procedures:

Sprague Dawley rats will be randomly assigned to receive either normal diet (ND) or enhanced diet (ED). For the latter, soybean oil from the base diet is replaced with an oil containing omega-3 fatty acids, providing the animals with approximately 1.4% of their total caloric intake strictly from the omega-3 fatty acid DHA.

Long-Term Goals:

The long-term goal of this research are to identify novel mechanisms associated with neuroinflammation and resulting behavior change in order to develop non-invasive, non-addictive and low-cost therapeutic intervention strategies for individuals with SUD.

Dr. Jana Ponce

Project Director

Dr. Jana Ponce is a Registered Dietitian and an Assistant professor in the Medical Nutrition Education Division of the College of Allied Health Professions at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Her background is in clinical nutrition with a current research agenda focused on the impact of nutrition interventions in improving neurologic outcomes and inflammation in chronic disease.

Full Jana Ponce bio