Seafood and mental health: Uptake and effects of marine nutrients and contaminants alone or in combination on neurological function.

Seafood as part of a balanced diet is thought to play a central role in the battle against the increasing occurrence of lifestyle diseases with neurological disorders being pinpointed as one of the greatest threats to public health worldwide. However, sea food may in addition to contributing with health promoting nutrients be a source of contaminants associated with a potential risk to human health. To investigate the benefits and risks of seafood intake, fish will be tailored (i.e. vary the levels of nutr ients and contaminants) in order to assess how marine n-3 fatty acids and contaminants such as methylmercury (MeHg) in a seafood matrix affect neurological outcomes in animal models (in vivo and in vitro). The project also aims at developing genetic and b iochemical biomarkers within the field of nutrico-toxicogenomics with special emphasis on liver and brain in rodents, and muscle in Atlantic salmon. Overall, this project will add valuable information for future risk-benefit assessment of seafood in gener al.