Neurolipid systems: A new target for the treatment of dementia

Abstract

Neurolipids comprise a diverse class of bioactive lipids that include molecules capable of activating G protein-coupled receptors, thereby inducing systemic effects that contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis. Dementia, a non-specific brain disorder characterized by a common set of signs and symptoms, usually arises subsequent to brain injuries or diseases and is often associated with the aging process. Individuals affected by dementia suffer from the disruption of several neurotransmitter and neuromodulatory systems, among which neurolipids play an important role, including the endocannabinoid, lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine 1-phosphate systems. In this review, we present an overview of the most recent and pertinent findings regarding the involvement of these neurolipidic systems in dementia, including data from a wide range of both in vitro and in vivo experiments as well as clinical trials.