Abstract
Variable levels of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPUFAs) reported in schizophrenia are likely due to differences in age, sex, ethnicity, diet, life style and treatments. The present study examined the EPUFAs levels in plasma, RBC and CSF in never-medicated first-episode psychotic patients and normal controls matched for ethnicity, diet and life style. The plasma EPUFAs levels were similar in both groups. Among the EPUFAs enriched in the brain, predominantly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels were lower in RBC (p=<0.01) whereas higher in CSF (p=<0.01) in male>female patients. This altered DHA metabolism may provide clues for neuropathology and treatment of schizophrenia.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Multicenter Study
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Age Factors
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Ambulatory Care
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Arachidonic Acid / blood
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Arachidonic Acid / cerebrospinal fluid
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Diet
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Docosahexaenoic Acids / analysis*
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Docosahexaenoic Acids / blood
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Docosahexaenoic Acids / cerebrospinal fluid
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Erythrocytes / chemistry*
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Ethnicity / statistics & numerical data
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Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / blood
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Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / cerebrospinal fluid
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Female
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Humans
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Life Style
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Male
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Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data
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Schizophrenia / blood*
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Schizophrenia / cerebrospinal fluid*
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Schizophrenia / diagnosis
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Sex Factors
Substances
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Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
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Docosahexaenoic Acids
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Arachidonic Acid