gamma-linolenic-acid and Schizophrenia

There is good background evidence to suggest that essential fatty acids and their eicosanoid derivatives may play a role in schizophrenia and in with tardive dyskinesia. Trials involving treatment with essential fatty acids, or eicosanoids or drugs which stimulate eicosanoid synthesis have shown modestly promising results. Particularly favourable outcomes in both schizophrenia and tardive dyskinesia were associated with combined treatment using essential fatty acids and nutritional supplements.

Topics: Adult; Alprostadil; Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced; Eicosanoids; Fatty Acids, Essential; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linolenic Acids; Linseed Oil; Middle Aged; Models, Neurological; Penicillin V; Schizophrenia; Treatment Outcome

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) and their eicosanoid derivatives are important constituents of the brain and regulators of neuronal function. There is direct and indirect evidence of impaired metabolism of prostaglandin (PG)E1 in schizophrenia. There is also direct evidence of abnormal EFA biochemistry with plasma phospholipids from five populations and brain phospholipids from another all showing reduced levels of linoleic acid and elevated levels of 22-carbon EFAs of both n-6 and n-3 series. Clinical trials of PGE1 and of the PGE1 precursors, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) have shown modest therapeutic effects. In view of lack of therapeutic process involving drugs based on the dopamine concept of schizophrenia, it is time for new approaches based on the EFA/PG concept to be evaluated thoroughly.

Topics: Alprostadil; Brain Chemistry; Clozapine; Diabetes Complications; Dietary Fats; Dopamine; Double-Blind Method; Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced; Eicosanoids; Fatty Acids, Essential; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linolenic Acids; Niacin; Phospholipids; Schizophrenia

Clinical definitions of schizophrenia are unreliable and difficult to use. The niacin flush test, which involves prostaglandin-induced vasodilatation, offers a method of exploring essential fatty acid metabolism in schizophrenic patients and may serve to define a subgroup of patients. In a multicentre study of schizophrenic patients with negative symptoms, we have examined the clinical accompaniments of the niacin response. Patients failing to flush with niacin showed significantly reduced levels of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids. Conversion from non-flushing to flushing during the 6 month supplementation period was predicted by an increase in arachidonic acid levels in red blood cell membranes irrespective of nature of supplementation. In this study, patients were selected for their negative symptoms and, therefore, it was not surprising that further measures of negative or positive symptoms did not predict flushing. However, an increased score for affective symptoms was significantly associated with a positive flush response. The stability of the niacin test needs to be examined in relation to the periodicity of symptoms in schizophrenia and manic depressive illness. New information on the anandamide system suggests that it may be associated with periodic phenomena and should be investigated in relation to the niacin test.

Topics: Adult; Antipsychotic Agents; Arachidonic Acids; Capsules; Cell Membrane; Clozapine; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Double-Blind Method; Erythrocytes; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; Flushing; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Male; Middle Aged; Niacin; Oenothera biennis; Plant Oils; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Schizophrenia

There is good background evidence to suggest that essential fatty acids and their eicosanoid derivatives may play a role in schizophrenia and in with tardive dyskinesia. Trials involving treatment with essential fatty acids, or eicosanoids or drugs which stimulate eicosanoid synthesis have shown modestly promising results. Particularly favourable outcomes in both schizophrenia and tardive dyskinesia were associated with combined treatment using essential fatty acids and nutritional supplements.

Topics: Adult; Alprostadil; Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced; Eicosanoids; Fatty Acids, Essential; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linolenic Acids; Linseed Oil; Middle Aged; Models, Neurological; Penicillin V; Schizophrenia; Treatment Outcome

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) and their eicosanoid derivatives are important constituents of the brain and regulators of neuronal function. There is direct and indirect evidence of impaired metabolism of prostaglandin (PG)E1 in schizophrenia. There is also direct evidence of abnormal EFA biochemistry with plasma phospholipids from five populations and brain phospholipids from another all showing reduced levels of linoleic acid and elevated levels of 22-carbon EFAs of both n-6 and n-3 series. Clinical trials of PGE1 and of the PGE1 precursors, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) have shown modest therapeutic effects. In view of lack of therapeutic process involving drugs based on the dopamine concept of schizophrenia, it is time for new approaches based on the EFA/PG concept to be evaluated thoroughly.

Topics: Alprostadil; Brain Chemistry; Clozapine; Diabetes Complications; Dietary Fats; Dopamine; Double-Blind Method; Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced; Eicosanoids; Fatty Acids, Essential; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linolenic Acids; Niacin; Phospholipids; Schizophrenia

This study reports the results of a trial of essential fatty acid (EFA) supplementation in psychiatric patients (predominantly schizophrenics) with movement disorders. Evidence of EFA deficiency in these patients was observed. The antidyskinetic effect of EFA supplementation was marginally significant but not clinically important. However, active treatment produced highly significant improvements in total psychopathology scores and schizophrenia subscale scores, and a significant improvement in memory.

Topics: Antipsychotic Agents; Bipolar Disorder; Double-Blind Method; Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Male; Middle Aged; Oenothera biennis; Personality Disorders; Plant Oils; Schizophrenia

Three long-stay, hospitalised schizophrenics who had failed to respond adequately to conventional drug therapy were treated with gamma-linolenic acid and linoleic acid in the form of evening primrose oil. They became substantially worse and electroencephalographic features of temporal lobe epilepsy became apparent. In all three the clinical state dramatically improved when carbamazepine, the conventional therapy for temporal lobe epilepsy was introduced. It can be extremely difficult to distinguish on clinical grounds between schizophrenia and temporal lobe epilepsy, and electroencephalographic studies do not always reveal an abnormality in the temporal lobe syndrome, unless additional procedure such as sphenoidal electroencephalography is undertaken. A trial of therapy with gamma-linolenic acid may prove of considerable value in distinguishing between these two states, so allowing specific therapy to be introduced.

Topics: Adult; Carbamazepine; Diagnosis, Differential; Electroencephalography; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acid; Linoleic Acids; Linolenic Acids; Male; Middle Aged; Schizophrenia