Nervonic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. Nervonic acid has been identified as important in the biosynthesis of nerve cell myelin. It is found in the sphingolipids of white matter in human brain.

Nervonic acid is used in the treatment of disorders involving demyelination, such as adrenoleukodystrophy and multiple sclerosis where there is a decreased level of nervonic acid in sphingolipids.

Notes

Additional references

• Appelqvist (1976) Lipids in Cruciferae. In: Vaughan JG, Macleod AJ (Eds), The biology and the Chemistry of Cruciferae. Academic Press, London, UK, pp. 221-277.
• Sargent JR, Coupland K, Wilson R (1994). Nervonic Acid and Demyelinating Disease. Medical Hypothesese 42, pp. 237-242.