<p>This 2024comprehensive review examines the crucial functions of lipids in neurological health, highlighting their vital contributions to brain structure, function, and pathology. The intricate lipid composition of the brain, comprising phospholipids, sphingolipids, cholesterol, glycolipids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, supports membrane integrity, synaptic transmission, and myelination. Lipid production, metabolism, and transport in the central nervous system are meticulously controlled, necessitating specialised interactions among neurones, glial cells, and the blood-brain barrier. Lipid homeostasis dysregulation is widely acknowledged as playing a critical role in the aetiology of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and depression. These disruptions result in compromised synapse function, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal injury. The review emphasises bioactive lipids, particularly specialised pro-resolving mediators originating from polyunsaturated fatty acids, which regulate neuroinflammation and enhance neuroprotection. Progress in lipidomics has enabled the discovery of new lipid biomarkers and therapeutic targets, presenting intriguing opportunities for disease diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. This paper highlights the significance of lipid biology in maintaining brain health and the therapeutic potential of targeting lipid pathways to mitigate the progression of neurological diseases, integrating contemporary lipidomic discoveries and mechanistic knowledge.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>