Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Most studies have shown reduced levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid, in the cell membranes of red blood cells from schizophrenic patients. This has led to research interest in the possible therapeutic benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in schizophrenia. There is evidence from double-blind placebo-controlled trials that omega-3 fatty acids might prevent conversion from a prodromal state into first episode psychosis, and reduce the antipsychotic drug requirement in first episode patients.

Omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

The importance of omega-3 fatty acids for physical health is now well recognised and there is increasing evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may also be important to mental health. The two main omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have important biological functions in the CNS. DHA is a major structural component of neuronal membranes, and changing the fatty acid composition of neuronal membranes leads to functional changes in the activity of receptors and other proteins embedded in the membrane phospholipid.

International variations in the outcome of schizophrenia and the prevalence of depression in relation to national dietary practices: an ecological analysis.

Background: Dietary variations are known to predict the prevalence of physical illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease but the possible influence of diet on mental health has been neglected.

Aims: To explore dietary predictors of the outcome of schizophrenia and the prevalence of depression.

Method: Ecological analysis of national dietary patterns in relation to international variations in outcome of schizophrenia and prevalence of depression.

Diet, diabetes and schizophrenia: review and hypothesis.

Background: Diabetes is more common in people with schizophrenia than in the general population.

Aims: To explore the possible reasons for the association between diabetes and schizophrenia.

Method: Diet and other lifestyle factors in patients with schizophrenia were reviewed as risk factors for diabetes.

Nutrition and schizophrenia: beyond omega-3 fatty acids.

There are now five placebo-controlled trials of EPA in the treatment in schizophrenia, and four of these have given positive or partly positive findings. A cross-national ecological analysis of international variations in outcome of schizophrenia in relation to national dietary practices, showed that high consumption of sugar and of saturated fat is associated with a worse long-term outcome of schizophrenia. It is known that a high sugar, high fat diet leads to reduced brain expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which is responsible for maintaining the outgrowth of dendrites.

Eicosapentaenoic acid in the treatment of schizophrenia and depression: rationale and preliminary double-blind clinical trial results.

It has been hypothesised that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) play an important role in the aetiology of schizophrenia and depression. Evidence supporting this hypothesis for schizophrenia includes abnormal brain phospholipid turnover shown by 31P Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, increased levels of phospholipase A2, reduced niacin skin flush response, abnormal electroretinogram, and reduced cell membrane levels of n-3 and n-6 PUFA. In depression, there is strong epidemiological evidence that fish consumption reduces risk of becoming depressed and evidence that cell membrane levels of n-3 PUFA are reduced.

A dose-ranging study of the effects of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate in patients with ongoing depression despite apparently adequate treatment with standard drugs.

Background: In depressed patients, low blood levels of eicosapentaenoic acid are seen. We tested the antidepressive effect of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate in these patients.

Methods: We included 70 patients with persistant depression despite ongoing treatment with an adequate dose of a standard antidepressant.