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Fatty acids are key components in the structural diversity of lipids and play a strategic role in the functional properties of lipids which determine the integrity of neuronal and glial cell membranes, the generation of lipid signaling mediators, and the chemical reactivity of acyl chains. The present study analyzes using gas chromatography the fatty acid profiles of 13 regions of the human central nervous system in healthy individuals ranging from 40 to 80 years old. The outcomes suggest the existence of general traits in fatty acid composition such as an average chain length of 18 carbon atoms, high monounsaturated fatty acid content, and predominance in polyunsaturated fatty acids of those of series n-6 over series n-3 which are shared by all brain regions regardless of age. Our results also show a general sustained and relatively well-preserved lipid profile throughout the adult lifespan in most studied regions (olive, upper vermis, substantia nigra, thalamus, hippocampus, putamen, caudate, occipital cortex, parietal cortex, entorhinal cortex, and frontal cortex) with minor changes that are region-dependent. In contrast, of particular relevance is the involvement of the inferior temporal cortex and cingulate cortex. It is proposed that during normal human brain aging, the lipid profile is resistant to changes with age in most human brain regions to ensure cell survival and function, but some particular regions involved in specific memory domains are greatly affected. Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (grant RTI2018-099200-B-I00), the IRBLleida-Dipuatació de Lleida (PIRS2021), and the Generalitat of Catalonia: Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (2017SGR696) to R.P. This study was cofnanced by FEDER funds from the European Union (“A way to build Europe”). IRBLleida is a CERCA Programme/Generalitat of Catalonia.

et al., The aim of this study was to demonstrate the existence of alterations in glutathione and cholesterol homeostasis in brain mitochondria from alcoholic rats. Glutathione concentration decreased, whereas oxidized glutathione and cholesterol contents increased in these organelles, suggesting the ethanol-induced generation of reactive oxygen species, and the impairment of mitochondrial uptake of glutathione, possibly due to the increase in cholesterol deposition. The release of apoptogenic proteins was increased after stimulating mitochondria from the brain of alcoholic rats with atractyloside. As a conclusion, chronic alcohol consumption might sensitize brain mitochondria to apoptotic stimuli, and promote the subsequent release of apoptotic proteins., This work was supported in part by Funds from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (SAF 2007- 66801), Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica (I+D+I), Ingenio 2010 initiative, RTA (Red de Transtornos Adictivos) and Consolider programms from Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Coopernicus-Santander Programm of the Universidad CEU- Cardenal Herrera, Dirección General de Drogodependencias (Generalitat Valenciana) and FEPAD (Fundación para el Estudio, Prevención y Ayuda a la Drogadicción).