Alterations of niacin skin sensitivity in recurrent unipolar depressive disorder.

Introduction: Skin flushing after niacin (methylnicotinate, vitamin B(3)) stimulation is a biological marker of availability of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Decreased PUFA levels have been reported in depressive disorder, while add-on supplementation of omega-3 PUFA has been suggested to improve depressive symptoms. This study aimed to clarify whether a disturbance of niacin skin flushing occurs also in depression, and to identify patient characteristics for those who might benefit from PUFA supplementation.

Cannabinoids influence lipid-arachidonic acid pathways in schizophrenia.

Increasing evidence suggests modulating effects of cannabinoids on time of onset, severity, and outcome of schizophrenia. Efforts to discover the underlying pathomechanism have led to the assumption of gene x environment interactions, including premorbid genetical vulnerability and worsening effects of continuing cannabis use. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to investigate the relationship between delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol intake and niacin sensitivity in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls.

The influence of age and gender on niacin skin test results - implications for the use as a biochemical marker in schizophrenia.

Investigation of abnormal skin response to niacin (vitamin B3) stimulation has gained increasing interest in schizophrenia research during last years. However, current efforts to implement niacin tests in routine diagnostics are jeopardised by wide inter-individual variations of skin response. We investigated age and gender as potential factors of influence on niacin sensitivity in 117 healthy subjects (63 male, 54 female).