“The use of antipsychotic medication for the prevention of psychotic disorders is controversial. Long-chain omega-3 (omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may be beneficial in a range of psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia. Given that omega-3 PUFAs are generally beneficial to health and without clinically relevant adverse effects, their preventive use in psychosis merits investigation.”
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“To determine whether omega-3 PUFAs reduce the rate of progression to first-episode psychotic disorder in adolescents and young adults aged 13 to 25 years with subthreshold psychosis.”
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“Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted between 2004 and 2007.”
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“Psychosis detection unit of a large public hospital in Vienna, Austria.”
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“81 individuals at ultra-high risk of psychotic disorder.”
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“A 12-week intervention period of 1.2-grams/day omega-3 PUFA or placebo was followed by a 40-week monitoring period; the total study period was 12 months.”
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“76 of 81 participants (93.8%) completed the intervention.”
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“By study’s end (12 months), 2 of 41 individuals (4.9%) in the omega-3 group and 11 of 40 (27.5%) in the placebo group had transitioned to psychotic disorder”
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“Long-chain omega-3 PUFAs reduce the risk of progression to psychotic disorder and may offer a safe and efficacious strategy for indicated prevention in young people with subthreshold psychotic states.”