A synaptogenic amide N-docosahexaenoylethanolamide promotes hippocampal development

► N-docsahexanoylethanolamide (DEA) is a potent synaptogenic factor, and thus termed synapamide. ► Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is converted to DEA by fetal mouse hippocampal neurons. ► DEA is present in the mouse hippocampus. ► DEA stimulates neurite growth, synaptogenesis and glutamatergic synaptic activities. ► DEA increases synapsin and glutamate receptor subunit expression in the hippocampal neurons.