Abstract
The importance of omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to improve several medical conditions is well recognized. More recently, these agents, because of their role of stabilization of neuronal membranes, have been considered in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders. The aim of this review is to provide a complete account of the empirical evidences of efficacy and safety for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosaexaenoic acid (DHA) and other less used PUFAs in the management of mental illness. There is little evidence to support the use of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of schizophrenia and of conditions characterized by high level of impulsivity and aggression. The most convincing findings are in favour of the use of PUFAs for mood disorders, especially unipolar and bipolar depression (but not mania). Concerning ADHD, trials are characterized by considerable heterogeneity in methods and omega-3 fatty acids supplementation exhibits modest benefits compared with traditional pharmacotherapy. On the basis of available data, omega-3 PUFAs cannot be unequivocally recommended as a monotherapy or adjunctive-therapy in any mental disorder. Although these compounds represent a novel and attractive modality of treatment, also considering good tolerability and safety, further studies are required to confirm omega-3 fatty acids supplementation as an effective intervention in psychiatric disorders.
Keywords: Omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosaexaenoic acid, schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, impulsivity, efficacy, adverse effects, Psychiatric Disorders, leukotriens, poly-unsatured fatty acids, synaptic membrane, neuronal cell membrane
Current Psychopharmacology
Title:Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation in Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review
Volume: 1
Author(s): Silvio Bellino, Paola Bozzatello, Elena Brignolo, Chiara Brunetti and Filippo Bogetto
Affiliation:
Keywords: Omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosaexaenoic acid, schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, impulsivity, efficacy, adverse effects, Psychiatric Disorders, leukotriens, poly-unsatured fatty acids, synaptic membrane, neuronal cell membrane
Abstract: The importance of omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to improve several medical conditions is well recognized. More recently, these agents, because of their role of stabilization of neuronal membranes, have been considered in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders. The aim of this review is to provide a complete account of the empirical evidences of efficacy and safety for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosaexaenoic acid (DHA) and other less used PUFAs in the management of mental illness. There is little evidence to support the use of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of schizophrenia and of conditions characterized by high level of impulsivity and aggression. The most convincing findings are in favour of the use of PUFAs for mood disorders, especially unipolar and bipolar depression (but not mania). Concerning ADHD, trials are characterized by considerable heterogeneity in methods and omega-3 fatty acids supplementation exhibits modest benefits compared with traditional pharmacotherapy. On the basis of available data, omega-3 PUFAs cannot be unequivocally recommended as a monotherapy or adjunctive-therapy in any mental disorder. Although these compounds represent a novel and attractive modality of treatment, also considering good tolerability and safety, further studies are required to confirm omega-3 fatty acids supplementation as an effective intervention in psychiatric disorders.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Bellino Silvio, Bozzatello Paola, Brignolo Elena, Brunetti Chiara and Bogetto Filippo, Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation in Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review, Current Psychopharmacology 2012; 1 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2211556011201040353
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2211556011201040353 |
Print ISSN 2211-5560 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2211-5579 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Breakthroughs in drug design, development and delivery system for the management of neuro-psychiatric disorders
Neuropsychiatric diseases are one of the main causes of disability, affecting millions of people. Various drugs are used for its treatment, although no effective therapy has been found yet. The blood brain barrier (BBB) significantly complicates drugs delivery to the target cells in the brain tissues. This proposal describes the ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Mediators of Low-Grade Chronic Inflammation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Current Pharmaceutical Design Endothelial Cell Regulation of Cardiac Metabolism Following Diabetes
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Nanocarriers Assisted siRNA Gene Therapy for the Management of Cardiovascular Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial [Hot Topic: New Developments in the Prevention and Treatment of Vascular Disease - 2 Executive (Guest Editors: Manfredi Rizzo and Dimitri P. Mikhailidis)]
Current Pharmaceutical Design Antioxidant Properties and Medicinal Uses of Some Crataegus Spp. (Hawthorn) Including <i>C. meyeri</i> and <i>C. pontica</i>
Current Nutrition & Food Science Social Media as a Means to Disseminate and Advocate Cardiovascular Research: Why, How, and Best Practices
Current Cardiology Reviews Contemporary Treatment of Amyloid Heart Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Right Ventricle: Biologic Insights and Response to Disease: Updated
Current Cardiology Reviews Mechanisms of Action of Metformin in Type 2 Diabetes and Associated Complications: An Overview
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry A Direct Interaction Between Mitochondrial Proteins and Amyloid-β Peptide and its Significance for the Progression and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry The potential for circulating microRNAs in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction: a novel approach to disease diagnosis and treatment
Current Pharmaceutical Design High Sensitivity Troponin in Cardiovascular Disease. Is There More Than a Marker of Myocardial Death?
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Implication of Gut Microbiota in Human Health
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Effects of Oral L-Citrulline Supplementation on Lipoprotein Oxidation and Endothelial Dysfunction in Humans with Vasospastic Angina
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Heart Transplantation for Congenital Heart Disease in the First Year of Life
Current Cardiology Reviews Pharmacology and Clinical Potential of Direct Thrombin Inhibitors
Current Pharmaceutical Design Application of Pharmacogenomic Approaches in the Study of Drug Response in Complex Diseases
Current Pharmacogenomics Hyper-Coagulable Profile with Elevated Pro-Thrombotic Biomarkers and Increased Cerebro- and Cardio-Vascular Disease Risk Exist Among Healthy Dyslipidemic Women
Current Neurovascular Research Apolipoprotein B Antisense Inhibition -Update on Mipomersen
Current Pharmaceutical Design Pre-Clinical and Clinical Evaluation of Nuclear Tracers for the Molecular Imaging of Vulnerable Atherosclerosis: An Overview
Current Medicinal Chemistry