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My studies are centralized to explore the effects of diet on metabolic dysfunction and its capacity to influence the vulnerability for life challenges. As metabolic disorders are tightly related to unhealthy dietary habits, it is crucial to understand what aspects of the diet could be used to counteract metabolic dysfunction and promote mental health. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid, constitutes more than 30% of the total phospholipid composition of plasma membranes in the brain, and thus can affect synaptic function and cognitive abilities by providing membrane fluidity at synaptic regions. Omega-3 fatty acids can not be synthesized de novo in mammals; they can only obtain through diet and, during gestation and lactation from mother. This implies that lack of dietary omega-3-fatty acids during brain development can increase the susceptibility for life challenges such as brain trauma and may predispose the brain towards neuronal insults later in life. Given the impact of diet on mental health, I focus to understand the mechanistic basis through which diet influences brain functions, which will help us to determine how best to manipulate diet in order to promote mental fitness.