Omega 3 fatty acids in psychiatry

Abstract

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 LC-PUFAs) are thought to be important for normal dopaminergic, glutamatergic and serotonergic neurotransmission. Depression is less prevalent in societies with high fish consumption, and depressed patients have significantly lower red blood cell ω-3 levels. Studies with ω-3 supplementation have led to controversial results. A significantly longer remission of bipolar symptomatology has been confirmed from a high-dose DHA and EPA mixture. Greater seafood consumption per capita has been connected with a lower prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorders. Reduced levels of ω-6 and ω-3 PUFAs were found in patients with schizophrenia. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 175033 i br. 175022]

Keywords

• Omega 3 fatty acids
• psychiatry
• depression
• bipolar disorder
• schizophrenia