Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of omega-3 as supplemental
treatment in schizophrenia.
Author(s): Jamilian H(1), Solhi H, Jamilian M.
Affiliation(s): Author information:
(1). abcdefgh1390@yahoo.com.
Publication date & source: 2014, Glob J Health Sci. , 6(7 Spec No):38466
INTRODUCTION: Recent studies found omega-3 fatty acid deficiency in brain cell
membranes of schizophrenic patients. Conventional antipsychotics have many
adverse reactions. Safety, availability and low price made omega-3 as a potential
supplement for treatment of these patients. This study investigated the efficacy
of omega-3 fatty acid as add-on treatment in schizophrenia.
MATERIALS & METHODS: A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled fixed-dose,
add-on clinical trial conducted over 8 weeks. 60 patients with documented
schizophrenia randomly divided into two groups: omega-3(1000 mg/day) (n=30) and
placebo (n=30). Patients received omega-3 or placebo in addition to their
standard antipsychotic treatment. Patient follow up was done using Positive and
Negative syndrome Scale (PANSS). Data analyzed using SPSS software v.20.
RESULTS: At the end of 8 weeks treatment, PANSS score decreased significantly in
both groups (p<0.05) in comparison to baseline. Efficacy of omega-3 in decreasing
general psychopathologic and total scores was significant in comparison to
placebo group from 4 and 6 weeks after onset of treatment, respectively (p<0.05).
Totally, omega-3 supplement therapy efficacy in comparison to sole conventional
antipsychotics was 0.86 which was not significant (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION: we found that supplemental omega-3 might increase efficacy of
conventional antipsychotics in decreasing symptoms of schizophrenia. Low price,
rare adverse reactions and availability of omega-3 made this substance a
potential supplement in improved treatment of schizophrenia
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