Citation

Bozzatello P, De Rosa ML, Rocca P, Bellino S. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020; 21(17): e6042.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Molecular Diversity Preservation International)

DOI

10.3390/ijms21176042

PMID

32839416

PMCID

PMC7504659

Abstract

The usefulness of polyunsaturated fatty acids on inflammatory, cardiovascular, and the nervous system was studied in the last decades, but the mechanisms underlying their benefic properties are still partially unknown. These agents seem to express their action on the membrane phospholipid composition and permeability and modulation of second messenger cascades. In psychiatry, the efficacy and tolerability of omega-3 fatty acids were investigated in several psychiatric disorders, including major depression, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, high-risk conditions to develop psychosis, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorders. Initial findings in this field are promising, and some relevant questions need to be addressed. In particular, the effects of these agents on the main symptom dimensions have to be investigated in a trans-diagnostic perspective. The present systematic review is aimed to examine the available data on the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids on domains of psychotic symptoms, affective symptoms, impulsivity, and aggressiveness, and harmful behaviors, and suicide risk.

Language: en

Keywords

Affective Symptoms; affectivity; Antipsychotic Agents; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Bipolar Disorder; Depressive Disorder, Major; Dietary Supplements; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Humans; impulsivity; omega-3 fatty acids; Personality Disorders; psychiatric disorders; Psychopathology; psychosis; Psychotic Disorders; PUFAs; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; self-harm behaviors; Suicidal Ideation