Abstract
Cognitive impairment is strongly associated with functional outcomes in psychiatric patients. Involvement of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 LC-PUFA), in particular docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in brain functions is largely documented. DHA is incorporated into membrane phospholipids as structural component, especially in the central nervous system where it also has important functional effects. The aim of this review is to investigate the relationship between DHA and cognitive function in relation to mental disorders. Results from few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of DHA (alone or in combination) in psychotic, mood and neurodevelopmental disorders, respectively, suggest that no conclusive remarks can be drawn.
Keywords:
cognition; cognitive symptoms; docosahexaenoic acid; n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids; psychiatric disorders.
MeSH terms
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Affect / drug effects
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Brain / drug effects*
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Brain / metabolism
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Brain / physiopathology
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Central Nervous System Agents / therapeutic use*
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Cognition / drug effects*
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Cognition Disorders / drug therapy*
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Cognition Disorders / metabolism
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Cognition Disorders / physiopathology
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Cognition Disorders / psychology
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Docosahexaenoic Acids / metabolism
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Docosahexaenoic Acids / therapeutic use*
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Humans
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Mental Disorders / drug therapy*
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Mental Disorders / metabolism
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Mental Disorders / physiopathology
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Mental Disorders / psychology
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Mood Disorders / drug therapy
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Mood Disorders / metabolism
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Mood Disorders / physiopathology
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Mood Disorders / psychology
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Neurodevelopmental Disorders / drug therapy
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Neurodevelopmental Disorders / metabolism
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Neurodevelopmental Disorders / physiopathology
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Neurodevelopmental Disorders / psychology
Substances
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Central Nervous System Agents
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Docosahexaenoic Acids