DHA Eases Autism-Like Behaviors in Rats by Targeting Jnk-Linked Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
· newswise.com · popularity 16/100 · 0 similar stories today · Mental Health & Psychology (Health & Life Sciences)
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Summary
<img src="https://www.newswise.com/legacy/image.php?image=https://media.newswise.com/pio/articles/857863/6ae942dd1e9eb_ScreenShot_2026-11-03_101131_223_857863.png&width=100&height=150" alt="Newswise image" />A new preclinical study shows that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can lessen autism-like behavioral deficits in a rat model induced by neonatal maternal separation (NMS). The work combines behavioral testing with network pharmacology, molecular docking and biochemical validation to ask whether DHA acts on oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. DHA treatment improved social interaction, reduced repetitive self-grooming and eased anxiety-like behavior. At the molecular level, it suppressed c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, lowered pro-inflammatory cytokines and restored antioxidant proteins in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The findings position DHA as a preclinical candidate for mechanistic follow-up and further investigation in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), while stopping short of clinical claims.
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