Neurons and the DHA principle. by Valentine, Raymond C. and David L. Valentine - 2013

CRC Press, 2013. Hardbound. New Book. Hardbound. Raymond (emeritus, marine sciences, U. of California-Davis) and David (ecology, evolution, and marine biology, U. of California-Santa Barbara) propose that the secret to understanding Alzheimer's disease is kept by deep-sea bacteria whose membrane oils are similar to neurons. They present studies with bacteria and other systems suggesting that the omega-3 fatty acid DHA contributes great benefits to neurons in maximizing both the speed of neural impulses and energy efficiency. However, they show, it is also harmful in that its oxidation damages membrane integrity. They propose that Alzheimer's disease is caused by DHA-enriched membranes of neurons becoming dysfunctional and energetically wasteful, triggering the premature death of neurons. (2013 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR)