Abstract

Our brains are mostly lipids. Most are are crucial for its structure and metabolic function. However, they also play important signalling and are involved in the regulation of synapse development and plasticity, and brain functions related to neurotransmission, inflammation, and energy metabolism. Lipid imbalances are associated with disrupted mental health.

This symposium will introduce current knowledge about the importance of lipid metabolism in neurodevelopmental disorders and their potential to serve as target for treatment. This will be exemplified, the questions about changes and treatments modulating cholesterol balance and polyunsaturated lipids are discussed. The session will cover human neuronal cell development and function by the interplay of genetics and diet; the molecular and cellular impacts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); and altered cholesterol regulation in human astrocytes modeling autism spectrum disease (ASD).