Section I Evolution and Essential Roles of DHA in Neurons Nature of Neurons and Their Specialized Membranes Some Brain Statistics A Clean, Constant, and Protective Environment Allows Neurons to Perform at Maximum Efficiencies Microglia Destroy Pathogens and Scavenge Cellular Debris But Have a Dangerous Side Our Brain Computer Is an Oily Computer Neurons Have Evolved DHA-Enriched Membranes That Play Essential Roles The Brain as a Machine Protecting DHA Membranes of Neurons Is One of the Secrets to the Health and Longevity of the Brain References DHA Contributes Both Benefits and Risks to Mammals Fertility Vision Healthy Heart Cancer-Free Colon Risks of DHA Including Vision Impairment References Use It or Lose It Concept of Brain Health Is Linked to DHA Use It or Lose It Mechanism of Brain Development is a Marvel of Nature How Many Neurons to Make a Birdsong? Lifelong Learning Requires Synaptic Plasticity and Selective Axon Growth Membrane Exocytosis/Endocytosis as a Means to Modulate Synaptic Strength DHA as a Momentary Memory Molecule? References Evolution and DHA: Redefining the DHA Principle DHA Maximizes Energy Efficiency in Human Neurons DHA Likely Came from the Sea Darwinian Selection of the Fittest Oils for Neurons of Different Animals DHA Membranes in Our Brain Result from a Delicate Evolutionary Balancing Act DHA Does Not Work Alone and Is Blended with Cholesterol and Other Lipid Structures to Maintain Energy-Efficient Neuronal Membranes DHA Plays an Essential Role in Membrane Growth, Development, and Efficiency Energy Limitation of an Island Environment Might Have Selected the Tiny, Yet Homo sapiens¿Like Brain of Hobbit (Homo floresiensis) References Section II Benefits of DHA DHA Is "King Omega" for Maximizing Mental Speed DHA¿s Twisty Tail Speeds Sensory and Mental Processes Sensory Perception Depends on Extreme Membrane Motion Contributed by DHA Membrane Asymmetry Enabling Leaflet-Specific Motion Is Important in Neurons DHA Speeds Up Rates of Cycling of Synaptic Vesicles Important in Fast-Firing Neurons References DHA Improves Energy Efficiency in Neurons A Significant Amount of Brain Energy Is Used to Maintain Neurons Ready to Fire Day and Night Tiny Synaptic Vesicles Show How Energy Efficiency in DHA-Enriched Membranes Is Improved by Using Cholesterol to Plug Proton Leaks "Use It or Waste It" Concept of Brain Energy Efficiency Myelination Also Increases Speed and Energy Efficiency Why Is DHA Favored over EPA in Human Neurons? References Wild Conformational Dynamics of DHA Might Save Energy by Sealing Stretch-Induced Defects as Fast as They Occur in Membranes Mechanical Stress Model of Sperm Tails Dynamic Space-Filling Conformations of DHA Axon Membranes Are Subject to Stretching during Normal Growth and during Brain Trauma Turgor (Osmotic Pressure) Is Likely Required for Stretch Growth of Axons Stretch-Induced Defects Likely Occur in Membranes of Cilia, Red Blood Cells, and Heart Muscle Cells References Section III: Risks of DHA Lipid Whisker Model and Water-Wire Theory of Energy Uncoupling in Neurons Lipid Whisker Model Applied to Neurons Oxidatively Truncated Phospholipids Act Directly as Signaling Molecules for Activating Phagocytosis Lipid Whiskers Might Generate Energy-Uncoupling Water-Wires References Neurons Boost Their Energy State by Using Powerful Antioxidant Systems to Protect Their Membranes against Damage The Brain Hoards High Levels of Vitamin C: Case History of Scurvy Mechanisms for Concentrating Ascorbate in Neurons Are Known in Detail Brief Chemistry of Ascorbate as an Antioxidant Vitamin E, a Membrane-Based Antioxidant, Works Synergistically with Vitamin C to Protect Neural Membranes References Oxygen-Dependent Damage (Lipid Peroxidation) of DHA Membranes of Neurons Is Inevitable and Requires Novel Mechanisms for Long-Term Protection Rapid Turnover of Rhodopsin Disks Rhodopsin and Other Proteins Are Targets of Oxidative Damage Sperm Tail Membranes as Surrogates for Axons Slow Turnover of DHA in the Brain Was Not Expected Sifting through the Lipofuscin "Garbage Pile" for Clues to Neuron Aging Sequestration of Metals Known to Promote DHA Oxidation Is Vital for Neuron Health Hypothesis Number 1: Myelin Forms a Protective Shield against Oxidative Damage to Axons Hypothesis Number 2: Taurine as an Antioxidant Hypothesis Number 3: Melatonin as an Antioxidant References Section IV Revised Membrane Pacemaker Theory of Aging and Age-dependent Diseases Revised Mitochondrial Theory of Aging and Brain Span Nature of Mitochondria as Powerhouses for the Cell Mitochondrial DNA Is a Circular Miniature Chromosome Encoding 37 Genes Essential for Energy Production Data Derived from Mutator Mice Have Led to a New Theory of Aging in Which Energy Stress Replaces Oxidative Stress as the Primary Cause of Aging Humans with Mutator Genes Display Symptoms of Premature Neurodegeneration before Symptoms of Aging Selective Targeting of DHA Away from Mitochondrial Membranes as a Secret to a Long Human Brain Span References Development of Dual Energy Pacemaker Theory of Aging: Role of the Membrane Energy Uncoupling and the Importance of the Membrane as Critical Gatekeeper for Conserving or Wasting Energy Insects Dramatically Increase Life Span by Dietary Manipulation and Optimal Tuning of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Synthesis First Lesson from Hummingbirds: DHA Turbocharges Mitochondria Second Lesson from Hummingbirds: The Hardest Working Mitochondria Wear Out Fastest Third Lesson from Hummingbirds: "Energy-Stressed" Mitochondria Accumulate Mutations Faster Lessons from Small Mammals: Less DHA, Longer Life Span Membrane Pacemaker Model Is Consistent with the Bowhead Whale as Longest Lived Mammal References Membranes and Cancer Retinoblastoma Occurs in a Tissue with the Highest Levels of DHA in the Body Heavy Trafficking of DHA within the Developing Brain Might Potentiate Brain Tumors in Children DHA Is a Major Building Block for Sperm Membranes: Is There an Increased Risk of Cancer in the Testes? Correlation between High Levels of DHA in Blood and Aggressive Prostate Cancer Chemotherapy Patients Are Advised Not to Take Fish Oil Supplements Asymmetrical Phospholipids as Possible Promoters of Breast Cancer Does Generalized Cellular Energy Deficiency Govern Rates of Cancer-Causing Nuclear Mutations? References Section V DHA Links Aging and Neurodegeneration Parkinson¿s Disease Parkinsonian Chemicals Likely Act by Accelerating Energy-Oxidative Stresses via a Chain Reaction Mechanism MPTP: A Potent Neurotoxin A Closer Look at MPTP as a Mitochondrial Energy Poison versus an Oxidative Threat Parkinsonian Neurons Are Likely Predisposed to Energy Stress Making Them Extremely Sensitive to Chemicals in the Environment Neurotoxic Damage to Parkinsonian Neurons May Recruit Hyperactive Microglia Causing More Damage Mitochondrial Mutations as a Genetic Pacemaker for Age-Dependent Parkinson¿s Dual Energy-Pacemaker Model of Age-Dependent Parkinson¿s Disease References Prion Diseases A Spongy-Brain Disease in the Highlands of New Guinea Prion Replication Is an Amazing Process and Depends on Dysfunctional Protein Processing Does Energy Play a Role in How Prions Pick Their First Neuron Target? Prion-Infected Neurons Might Be Subjected to Membrane Energy Uncoupling Caused by the Prion Numerous Pinpoint Brain Lesions Caused by Prions May Spread as the Result of Microglial-Mediated Neuron Damage A Protective Gene against Kuru Found in Survivors of New Guinea Epidemic References Brain Trauma¿Induced Dementia High Rates of Brain Trauma in Sports and Combat Axon Stretch Model of Trauma-Triggered Alzheimer¿s Inflammation Model Suicide Peptide Model Energy Stress Caused by DHA Might Link the Three Models References Alzheimer¿s Disease An Individual Energy-Stressed or Damaged Neuron Might Generate a Focal Point for Alzheimer¿s Spreading from a Focal Point Might Be Caused by an Inflammatory Cascade Linking DHA and Alzheimer¿s Disease Blocking Neuron Death in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer¿s Disease by Knockout of a Key Signaling Receptor on Microglia Is the Toxic Peptide Tau the Long-Awaited Infective Agent Causing the Spread of Alzheimer¿s Disease? DHA Oxidation Products in Cerebrospinal Fluid Help Validate the DHA Principle Demyelination Occurring during Aging Might Expose DHA-Enriched Membranes of Axons of White Matter to Lipid Peroxidation Neuron Membranes Seem to Require Extraordinary Protection: The FOXO Story Effect of Insulin on Symptoms of Alzheimer¿s Disease Working Model of Alzheimer¿s as a Membrane Disease References.