Fatty acids and schizophrenia.
University Department of Psychiatry, Northern General
Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
In a controlled study of red cell membrane fatty acids in
patients with schizophrenia, substantial depletions of fatty acids from both
the n-6 and n-3 series were demonstrated. Arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic
acid were particularly depleted. In a separate study, dietary analysis
revealed no deficiency of fatty acid intake in this patient group, but greater
intake of n-3 fatty acids was associated with less severe symptomatology.
Dietary supplementation for six weeks with 10 g per day of concentrated fish
oil (MaxEPA) led to significant improvement in schizophrenic symptoms. This
clinical improvement was related to the increased level of n-3 fatty acids in
red cell membranes. These findings form part of a growing body of research
data suggestive of an abnormality in cell membrane fatty acid composition in
schizophrenia. The preliminary evidence for clinically effective dietary
manipulation to correct such an abnormality opens up novel and exciting
therapeutic possibilities.
PMID: 8729113 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]