Internationally eminent scientists illuminate the most important scientific aspects of essential fatty acids (EFAs)-from their biochemistry to their physiological consequences in both health and illness. The distinguished contributors integrate a wide range of topics, including the basic biochemistry of EFAs and lipid metabolism, the role of EFAs in the neuronal membrane, the effects of EFAs and lipids in various diseases, and the effects of normal levels and EFA deficiencies on cognition and behavior. The book's consolidation of our knowledge of the biology and metabolism of the EFAs lays the groundwork for dramatic advances in our understanding of these ubiquitous biochemicals and their role in health and illness.

Leading academic and biomedical researchers comprehensively review the status of essential fatty acids (EFA) in nutrition, medicine, psychology, and pharmacology. Topics range from a discussion of EFA basic mechanisms to their effects on individual psychiatry and behavior, and include extensive coverage of pathology, DHA in CNS development, and phospholipid and fatty acid composition and metabolism. Comprehensive and forward-looking, Fatty Acids: Physiological and Behavioral Functions reviews and critically evaluates our current knowledge of EFA, setting the stage for oncoming wave of discovery about the biochemical and molecular functions of essential fatty acids, as well as their critical role in human physiology, immunology, and behavior.

A benchmark survey of current clinical findings on the complex interactions between diet, stress, and mental health, and their impact on disease states. The authors give special attention to the influence of stress on physical health, mental health, and cognitive function, including the critical effects of maternal nutritional status and stress levels on fetal physical and mental development, the role of lipids in the development and treatment of depression, the role of fish oil in the development of aggressive behaviors, and the consequences of obesity on stress and the development of eating disorders. Additional chapters examine the effects of stress on chronic disorders, women, and cardiac function, and the influence of inflammation on diet, neurological functions, disease incidence, and cognitive functions.

Shlomo Yehuda and David I. Mostofsky The Second Farber Center International Conference was held on December 19th, 1995 at Bar Han University. Israel. The topic of the conference was: "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. " The members of the Scientific Committee were: Prof. Yehuda. Prof. Mostofsky, Mr. Riesenberg, and Prof. Sredni. This conference was supported by the Farber Center for Alzheimer Research. the Ginsburg Chair for Re- search into Alzheimer Disease, and by the Gold Founda- tion. The present volume summarizes the controversial and interesting issues as well as the experimental and re- search results as discussed by the distingUished invited speakers. The term "chronic fatigue syndrome" was created to describe a group of symptoms that has often been popu- larly referred to as the "yuppie flu. " The unusual and puz- zling symptoms of CFS include severe fatigue, weakness, fever, depression. and sore throat and lymph nodes. Sev- eral other disorders seem to share many of the CFS's symptoms to various degrees and since no undisputed bio- logical etiology has been identified, it has often been re- garded with great suspicion as a legitimate and organic disorder. Only in cases of infectious mononucleosis ("kiss- ing disease") was the Epstein-Barr herpes virus found. The controversy among physicians and other health care pro- fessionals concerns the very existence of CFS as a unique 5 6 Preface entity well differentiated from other terms such as fibromy- algia. neurasthenia. or special kinds of depression. (For examples. see: Goldenberg, 1990; Millenson.

Internationally eminent scientists illuminate the most important scientific aspects of essential fatty acids (EFAs)-from their biochemistry to their physiological consequences in both health and illness. The distinguished contributors integrate a wide range of topics, including the basic biochemistry of EFAs and lipid metabolism, the role of EFAs in the neuronal membrane, the effects of EFAs and lipids in various diseases, and the effects of normal levels and EFA deficiencies on cognition and behavior. The book's consolidation of our knowledge of the biology and metabolism of the EFAs lays the groundwork for dramatic advances in our understanding of these ubiquitous biochemicals and their role in health and illness.

A benchmark survey of current clinical findings on the complex interactions between diet, stress, and mental health, and their impact on disease states. The authors give special attention to the influence of stress on physical health, mental health, and cognitive function, including the critical effects of maternal nutritional status and stress levels on fetal physical and mental development, the role of lipids in the development and treatment of depression, the role of fish oil in the development of aggressive behaviors, and the consequences of obesity on stress and the development of eating disorders. Additional chapters examine the effects of stress on chronic disorders, women, and cardiac function, and the influence of inflammation on diet, neurological functions, disease incidence, and cognitive functions.

Leading academic and biomedical researchers comprehensively review the status of essential fatty acids (EFA) in nutrition, medicine, psychology, and pharmacology. Topics range from a discussion of EFA basic mechanisms to their effects on individual psychiatry and behavior, and include extensive coverage of pathology, DHA in CNS development, and phospholipid and fatty acid composition and metabolism. Comprehensive and forward-looking, Fatty Acids: Physiological and Behavioral Functions reviews and critically evaluates our current knowledge of EFA, setting the stage for oncoming wave of discovery about the biochemical and molecular functions of essential fatty acids, as well as their critical role in human physiology, immunology, and behavior.