We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid in first-episode psychosis. A 1H-MRS study.
- Authors
Berger, Gregor E; Wood, Stephen J; Wellard, R Mark; Proffitt, Tina M; McConchie, Mirabel; Amminger, G Paul; Jackson, Graeme D; Velakoulis, Dennis; Pantelis, Christos; McGorry, Patrick D
- Abstract
Ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid (E-EPA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that has been used in a range of neuropsychiatric conditions with some benefits. However, its mechanism of action is unknown. Here, we investigate its effects on in vivo brain metabolism in first-episode psychosis (FEP). Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3 T was performed in the temporal lobes of 24 FEP patients before and after 12 weeks of treatment in the context of a larger double-blind, placebo-controlled E-EPA augmentation study. Treatment group effects for glutathione (F1,12=6.1, p=0.03), and a hemisphere-by-group interaction for glutamine/glutamate (F1,20=4.4, p=0.049) were found. Glutathione increased bilaterally and glutamate/glutamine increased in the left hemisphere following E-EPA administration. Improvement in negative symptoms correlated with metabolic brain changes, particularly glutathione (r=-0.57). These results suggest that E-EPA augmentation alters glutathione availability and modulates the glutamine/glutamate cycle in early psychosis, with some of the metabolic brain changes being correlated with negative symptom improvement. Larger confirmatory studies of these postulated metabolic brain effects of E-EPA are warranted.
- Publication
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 2008, Vol 33, Issue 10, p2467
- ISSN
1740-634X
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1038/sj.npp.1301628