Omega-3 fatty acids as a psychotherapeutic agent for a pregnant schizophrenic patient

Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2001 Aug;11(4):295-9. doi: 10.1016/s0924-977x(01)00098-0.

Abstract

Because of the potential adverse events and teratogenesis of antipsychotic drugs, it is important to find a safe and effective treatment for pregnant women with severe mental illness. The membrane hypothesis of schizophrenia provides a rationale to treat symptoms of schizophrenia with omega-3 PUFAs. We report a 30-year-old married woman with chronic schizophrenia, who experienced an episode of acute exacerbation of psychotic symptoms during pregnancy. After entering into an open trial of omega-3 PUFAs monotherapy, she showed a dramatic improvement in both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and a significant increase of omega-3 PUFA composition in erythrocyte membrane. There were no adverse effects in this treatment. Thus, omega-3 PUFAs could be both beneficial and therapeutic to pregnant schizophrenic women.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy Complications / psychology*
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3