The Effect of Monosodium Glutamate on Neuronal Signaling Molecules in the Hippocampus and the Neuroprotective Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavoring substance added to many ready-to-eat foods and has known neurotoxic effects. This study was performed in order to examine the potential toxic effect of MSG on neurons in various regions of the hippocampus in prepubertal rats. It also investigated the protective effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), -methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R), and neuropeptide-Y (NPY) expression in the brain, using immunohistochemical and biochemical methods.