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Hudson CJ, Groh AMR, Macciardi F, Hudson RC. Genetic polymorphism data support a relationship between schizophrenia and microsatellite variability in PLA2G4A in Northern Europeans not Han Chinese. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2022; 189:3-5. [PMID: 34889025 PMCID: PMC9300063 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam M. R. Groh
- Montreal Neurological Institute‐HospitalMcGill UniversityMontréalQuébecCanada
| | - Fabio Macciardi
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of California, Irvine (UCI)IrvineCaliforniaUSA
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Hudson CJ, Zhu JX, Durocher AM. Re-analysis of genetic polymorphism data supports a relationship between schizophrenia and microsatellite variability in PLA2G4A. Psychiatr Genet 2021; 31:102-105. [PMID: 33853093 PMCID: PMC8115738 DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alexandra M. Durocher
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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3
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Iritani S, Torii Y, Habuchi C, Sekiguchi H, Fujishiro H, Yoshida M, Go Y, Iriki A, Isoda M, Ozaki N. The neuropathological investigation of the brain in a monkey model of autism spectrum disorder with ABCA13 deletion. Int J Dev Neurosci 2018; 71:130-139. [PMID: 30201574 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The precise biological etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the neuropathology of a monkey model of autism Human ABCA13 is the largest ABC transporter protein, with a length of 5058 amino acids and a predicted molecular weight of >450 kDa. However, the function of this protein remains to be elucidated. This protein is thought to be associated with major psychiatric disease. Using this monkey model of autism with an ABCA13 deletion and a mutation of 5HT2c, we neuropathologically investigated the changes in the neuronal formation in the frontal cortex. As a result, the neuronal formation in the cortex was found to be disorganized with regard to the neuronal size and laminal distribution in the ABCA13 deletion monkey. The catecholaminergic and GABAergic neuronal systems, serotoninergic neuronal formation (5HT2c) were also found to be impaired by an immunohistochemical evaluation. This study suggested that ABCA13 deficit induces the impairment of neuronal maturation or migration, and the function of the neuronal network. This protein might thus play a role in the neurodevelopmental function of the central nervous system and the dysfunction of this protein may be a pathophysiological cause of mental disorders including autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuji Iritani
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
| | - Youta Torii
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Chikako Habuchi
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Sekiguchi
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hiroshige Fujishiro
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Mari Yoshida
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Go
- Department of Brain Sciences, Center for Novel Science Initiatives, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan; Department of Developmental Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan; The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), Okazaki, Japan
| | - Astushi Iriki
- Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Developmen RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Masaki Isoda
- Department of System Neuroscience, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan; Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Development, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan; Department of Physiology, Kansai Medical University School of Medicine, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan
| | - Norio Ozaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
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Hoen WP, Lijmer JG, Duran M, Wanders RJA, van Beveren NJM, de Haan L. Red blood cell polyunsaturated fatty acids measured in red blood cells and schizophrenia: a meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res 2013; 207:1-12. [PMID: 23068078 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2012.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2012] [Revised: 09/20/2012] [Accepted: 09/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Alterations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in schizophrenia have been reported, but there is substantial variation in the findings. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis for docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), linoleic acid (LA), and arachidonic acid (AA). We identified 18 studies which compared PUFA in the erythrocyte cell membrane between patients with schizophrenia and controls. A total of 642 patients (169 were antipsychotic-naïve) and 574 controls participated in these studies. We found suggestive evidence that the levels of DPA (C22:5n3) and DHA (C22:6n3) are decreased both in patients currently being treated with antipsychotic medication and antipsychotic-naïve patients. Our findings furthermore suggest that the levels of LA (C18:2n6) are decreased in the medicated subgroup, but not in the antipsychotic-naive group. Finally, we found decreased levels of AA (C20:4n6), most convincingly in antipsychotic-naive patients. Taken together, there is substantial evidence that decreased levels of DPA (C22:5n3), DHA (C22:6n3), and AA (C20:4n6) are associated with the schizophrenia syndrome, apart from a possible influence of antipsychotic medication. Given the large heterogeneity in results, these conclusions should be interpreted cautiously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendela P Hoen
- Mentrum Institute for Mental Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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van der Kemp WJM, Klomp DWJ, Kahn RS, Luijten PR, Hulshoff Pol HE. A meta-analysis of the polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membranes in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2012; 141:153-61. [PMID: 22981812 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2012.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2011] [Revised: 08/22/2012] [Accepted: 08/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Membrane abnormalities in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been reported in schizophrenia and have been associated with brain tissue loss in normal ageing. Therefore PUFA may be involved in the excessive brain tissue loss reported in schizophrenia. METHODS A systematic MEDLINE database search was conducted to identify studies that compared PUFAs in erythrocyte membranes in patients and controls. Patients were categorized by medication regime in medication naive first-episode patients, and patients receiving typical or atypical antipsychotics. SAMPLE Fourteen studies were included, comprising a total of 429 patients with schizophrenia and 444 healthy control subjects. Cohen's d effect sizes were calculated for PUFAs in erythrocyte membranes using the random-effects model. Combined Cohen's d was calculated separately for patients on different medication regime. RESULTS Medication-naive patients and patients taking typical antipsychotics showed significantly (p<0.01) decreased concentrations of arachidonic (AA), docosahexaenoic (DHA), and docosapentaenoic (DPA) acid. In addition, patients taking typical antipsychotics showed decreased linoleic (LA), dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosatetraenoic (DTA) acid (p<0.01). Patients taking atypical antipsychotics showed decreased DHA (p<0.01) only. CONCLUSIONS PUFA concentrations in erythrocyte membranes are decreased in schizophrenia. Of particular importance in patients are lower concentrations of DHA and AA, two fatty acids that are abundant in the brain and important precursors in the cell-signalling cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- W J M van der Kemp
- Image Sciences Institute, Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are a significant source of disability worldwide. Increasing evidence indicates that disturbances of fatty acids and phospholipid metabolism can play a part in a wide range of psychiatric, neurological, and developmental disorders in adults. Essential fatty acids, ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, play a central role in the normal development and functioning of the brain and central nervous system. The aim of this article is to discuss the overall insight into roles of essential fatty acids in the development of mental disorders (depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) and, in light of the fact that disturbances of fatty acid metabolism can play a part in the above-mentioned disorders, to investigate the current knowledge of lipid abnormalities in posttraumatic stress disorder. The information in this review was obtained after extensive MEDLINE searching of each topic area through relevant published studies from the past 20 years. References from the obtained studies were also used. This review summarizes the knowledge in terms of essential fatty acids intake and metabolism, as well as evidence pointing to potential mechanisms of essential fatty acids in normal brain functioning and development of neuropsychiatric disorders. The literature shows that ω-3 fatty acids provide numerous health benefits and that changes in their concentration in organisms are connected to a variety of psychiatric symptoms and disorders, including stress, anxiety, cognitive impairment, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. Further studies are necessary to confirm ω-3 fatty acids' supplementation as a potential rational treatment in psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Mandelsamen Perica
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, HR-10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Abstract
THE MULTIPLE ETIOLOGIES OF SCHIZOPHRENIA PROMPT US TO RAISE THE QUESTION: what final common pathway can induce a convincing sense of the reality of the hallucinations in this disease? The observation that artificial stimulation of an intermediate order of neurons of a normal nervous system induces hallucinations indicates that the lateral entry of activity (not resulting from canonical synaptic transmission) at intermediate neuronal orders may provide a mechanism for hallucinations. Meaningful hallucinations can be de-constructed into an organized temporal sequence of internal sensations of associatively learned items that occur in the absence of any external stimuli. We hypothesize that these hallucinations are autonomously generated by the re-activation of pathological non-specific functional LINKs formed between the postsynaptic membranes at certain neuronal orders and are examined as a final common mechanism capable of explaining most of the features of the disease. Reversible and stabilizable hemi-fusion between simultaneously activated adjacent postsynaptic membranes is viewed as one of the normal mechanisms for functional LINK formation and is dependent on lipid membrane composition. Methods of removing the proteins that may traverse the non-specifically hemi-fused membrane segments and attempts to replace the phospholipid side chains to convert the membrane composition to a near-normal state may offer therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunjumon I Vadakkan
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Sumiyoshi T, Higuchi Y, Matsui M, Itoh H, Uehara T, Itoh T, Arai H, Takamiya C, Suzuki M, Kurachi M. Membrane fatty acid levels as a predictor of treatment response in chronic schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2011; 186:23-7. [PMID: 20800904 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2010.07.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2009] [Revised: 05/18/2010] [Accepted: 07/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal fatty acid composition in neural membranes, that is, the balance between essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPUFAs) and saturated fatty acids, has been suggested to be related to the psychotic symptoms and cognitive impairment of schizophrenia. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that the ability of atypical antipsychotic drugs to ameliorate positive symptoms and cognitive function relevant to daily living would be predicted by baseline EPUFAs concentrations in the erythrocyte membrane in subjects with schizophrenia. A total of 24 actively psychotic patients with schizophrenia participated in the study. After blood drawing, they were treated with olanzapine or perospirone. The Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and the Scale for Assessment of Negative symptoms (SANS), as well as the script tasks, a measure of event schema recognition, were administered at baseline and 3months after the start of treatment. Erythrocyte membrane fatty acid levels were analysed using a gas chromatography system. Scores of SAPS and SANS, as well as script task performance, were improved during treatment with either antipsychotic drug. Regression analysis indicates baseline EPUFAs concentrations were positively and negatively related with percent improvement of positive symptoms and script task performance, respectively. The results of this study suggest composition of phospholipids in the erythrocyte membrane provide a feasible marker to predict treatment response in patients with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomiki Sumiyoshi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Toyama Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama, Japan.
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9
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McNamara RK. Modulation of polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis by antipsychotic medications: implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.2217/clp.09.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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10
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Knight HM, Pickard BS, Maclean A, Malloy MP, Soares DC, McRae AF, Condie A, White A, Hawkins W, McGhee K, van Beck M, MacIntyre DJ, Starr JM, Deary IJ, Visscher PM, Porteous DJ, Cannon RE, St Clair D, Muir WJ, Blackwood DH. A cytogenetic abnormality and rare coding variants identify ABCA13 as a candidate gene in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. Am J Hum Genet 2009; 85:833-46. [PMID: 19944402 PMCID: PMC2790560 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2009.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2009] [Revised: 10/14/2009] [Accepted: 11/02/2009] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are leading causes of morbidity across all populations, with heritability estimates of approximately 80% indicating a substantial genetic component. Population genetics and genome-wide association studies suggest an overlap of genetic risk factors between these illnesses but it is unclear how this genetic component is divided between common gene polymorphisms, rare genomic copy number variants, and rare gene sequence mutations. We report evidence that the lipid transporter gene ABCA13 is a susceptibility factor for both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. After the initial discovery of its disruption by a chromosome abnormality in a person with schizophrenia, we resequenced ABCA13 exons in 100 cases with schizophrenia and 100 controls. Multiple rare coding variants were identified including one nonsense and nine missense mutations and compound heterozygosity/homozygosity in six cases. Variants were genotyped in additional schizophrenia, bipolar, depression (n > 1600), and control (n > 950) cohorts and the frequency of all rare variants combined was greater than controls in schizophrenia (OR = 1.93, p = 0.0057) and bipolar disorder (OR = 2.71, p = 0.00007). The population attributable risk of these mutations was 2.2% for schizophrenia and 4.0% for bipolar disorder. In a study of 21 families of mutation carriers, we genotyped affected and unaffected relatives and found significant linkage (LOD = 4.3) of rare variants with a phenotype including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. These data identify a candidate gene, highlight the genetic overlap between schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, and suggest that rare coding variants may contribute significantly to risk of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M. Knight
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh EH10 5HF, UK
- Medical Genetics, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Molecular Medicine Centre, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Benjamin S. Pickard
- Medical Genetics, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Molecular Medicine Centre, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Alan Maclean
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh EH10 5HF, UK
- Medical Genetics, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Molecular Medicine Centre, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Mary P. Malloy
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh EH10 5HF, UK
- Medical Genetics, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Molecular Medicine Centre, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Dinesh C. Soares
- Medical Genetics, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Molecular Medicine Centre, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Allan F. McRae
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, 300 Herston Road, Herston 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Alison Condie
- Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Angela White
- Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - William Hawkins
- Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Kevin McGhee
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh EH10 5HF, UK
- Medical Genetics, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Molecular Medicine Centre, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Margaret van Beck
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh EH10 5HF, UK
| | - Donald J. MacIntyre
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh EH10 5HF, UK
| | - John M. Starr
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, Geriatric Medicine Unit, University of Edinburgh, Royal Victoria Hospital, Craigleith Road, Edinburgh EH4 2DN, UK
| | - Ian J. Deary
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Peter M. Visscher
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, 300 Herston Road, Herston 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - David J. Porteous
- Medical Genetics, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Molecular Medicine Centre, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Ronald E. Cannon
- Cancer Biology Group, National Center for Toxicogenomics, NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - David St Clair
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Walter J. Muir
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh EH10 5HF, UK
- Medical Genetics, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Molecular Medicine Centre, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Douglas H.R. Blackwood
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh EH10 5HF, UK
- Medical Genetics, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Molecular Medicine Centre, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
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Nadalin S, Rubesa G, Giacometti J, Vulin M, Tomljanović D, Vraneković J, Kapović M, Buretić-Tomljanović A. BanI polymorphism of cytosolic phospholipase A2 gene is associated with age at onset in male patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2008; 78:351-60. [PMID: 18562188 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2008.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2007] [Revised: 04/08/2008] [Accepted: 04/16/2008] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The enzymes phospholipases A2 are believed to be involved in the pathology of schizophrenia. We investigated allelic and genotype frequencies of PLA2G4A BanI polymorphism and the rs4375 in PLA2G6A in Croatian schizophrenic patients (n=81) and controls (n=182), using PCR/RFLP. Genotype and allelic frequencies of both loci, alone or in combination did not show significant difference (chi2-test). Allele-wise and genotype-wise meta-analyses of BanI polymorphism in case-control and family-based studies also revealed no significant association with schizophrenia. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed statistically significant association between several items from PANSS general psychopathology scale and BanI polymorphism in PLA2G4A. BanI polymorphism further showed a significant impact on mean age of the onset of disease in males (betaA1=0.351, P=0.021; Spearman's rA1=0.391, P=0.010) indicating lower mean age at admission in homozygous A2A2 males.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nadalin
- Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Croatia
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12
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Sumiyoshi T, Matsui M, Itoh H, Higuchi Y, Arai H, Takamiya C, Kurachi M. Essential polyunsaturated fatty acids and social cognition in schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2008; 157:87-93. [PMID: 17976738 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2006.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2006] [Revised: 04/11/2006] [Accepted: 05/25/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal metabolism of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPUFAs), a component of phospholipids in neural membranes, has been suggested to be related to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between EPUFA concentrations in erythrocyte membranes, a peripheral measure of phospholipid composition in the brain, and clinical variables, such as cognitive performance relevant to social functions, in patients with schizophrenia. Erythrocyte membrane levels of EPUFAs, saturated fatty acids, and monounsaturated acids were measured in 25 patients with schizophrenia and 32 age- and gender-matched 32 normal volunteers. The script tasks, a measure of social cognition, and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale were administered to the patients. The levels of EPUFAs, but not those of saturated or monosaturated fatty acids, were significantly lower in patients than in normal controls. The degree of a decrease in EPUFA levels was positively correlated with severity of positive symptoms and impairment of frequency judgment performance on the script tasks, while no such correlations were found with negative symptoms, attention as measured by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised-Digit Span, or verbal memory as measured by the Auditory Verbal Learning Test. These results provide the first suggestion for a contribution of decreased levels of EPUFAs to impaired social cognition, as represented by event schema, in patients with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomiki Sumiyoshi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Toyama School of Medicine, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
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13
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Liu Y, Zhang H, Ju G, Zhang X, Xu Q, Liu S, Yu Y, Shi J, Boyle S, Wang Z, Shen Y, Wei J. A study of the PEMT gene in schizophrenia. Neurosci Lett 2007; 424:203-6. [PMID: 17720317 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2007.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2007] [Revised: 07/10/2007] [Accepted: 07/29/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The phospholipid hypothesis of schizophrenia is becoming popular because of the findings from the niacin flush test, the treatment with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), biochemical studies for the phospholipid metabolism pathway and genetic studies of phospholipase A2. The present study attempted to investigate the gene coding for phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT), which is an important enzyme for the synthesis of membrane phospholipids. We recruited 271 Chinese parent-offspring trios of Han descent and detected 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the PEMT locus. The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) showed allelic association for rs464396 (X2=9.4, P=0.002), but not for the other two. The 2-SNP haplotype analysis showed haplotypic association for both the rs936108-rs464396 haplotypes (X2=25.7, d.f.=3, P=0.00001) and the rs464396-rs4244593 haplotypes (X2=17.3, d.f.=3, P=0.0006). The 3-SNP haplotype analysis also showed a haplotypic association (X2=24.4, d.f.=7, P=0.0006). The present results suggest that the PEMT gene may contribute to the etiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Research Center for Neuroscience and MH Radiobiology Research Unit, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
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14
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Young J, McKinney SB, Ross BM, Wahle KWJ, Boyle SP. Biomarkers of oxidative stress in schizophrenic and control subjects. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2007; 76:73-85. [PMID: 17197163 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2006.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2006] [Revised: 10/01/2006] [Accepted: 11/14/2006] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that oxidative injury exists in schizophrenia. Although it may not be the main cause, oxidative damage has been suggested to contribute to the pathophysiology and may account for deteriorating course and poor outcome in schizophrenia. A human study was undertaken, therefore, to investigate possible differences in biomarkers of DNA, lipid and protein oxidation in schizophrenic (n=16) and control subjects (n=17). Plasma vitamin C levels were also compared in both groups. Cellular DNA damage and plasma protein carbonyl levels were increased in the schizophrenic group compared to control subjects but not significantly. However, DNA damage in lymphocytes from the male schizophrenic group was significantly higher than the female group. Biomarkers of lipid peroxidation and plasma vitamin C levels also revealed no significant difference between the two groups under investigation, although a significant elevation in plasma vitamin C was observed in the female control group when compared to the male groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Young
- School of Pharmacy, The Robert Gordon University, Schoolhill, Aberdeen, UK
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15
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Ross BM. Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency in major depressive disorder is caused by the interaction between diet and a genetically determined abnormality in phospholipid metabolism. Med Hypotheses 2006; 68:515-24. [PMID: 17045757 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.07.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2006] [Accepted: 07/12/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). A growing body of evidence suggests that this form PUFA is a useful and well tolerated treatment for major depressive disorder, a common and serious mental illness. The efficacy of omega-3 PUFA is routinely explained as being due to a deficiency caused by inadequate dietary intake of this class of fatty acid. The hypothesis considered states that low omega-3 PUFA abundance in patients with major depressive and related disorders is due to an underlying genetically determined abnormality. The hypothesis can explain why although a specific and consistent deficit in omega-3, but not omega-6, PUFA occurs in major depressive and related disorders, the literature does not consistently support the notion that this is due to deficient dietary intake. Specifically it is hypothesized that having genetically determined low activity of fatty acid CoA ligase 4 and/or Type IV phospholipase A(2) combined with the low dietary availability of omega-3 PUFA results in reduced cellular uptake of omega-3 PUFA and constitutes a risk factor for depression. The hypothesis also has important consequences for the pharmacological treatment of depression in that it predicts that administering agents which enhance phospholipid synthesis, particularly those containing ethanolamine such as CDP-ethanolamine, should be effective antidepressants especially when co-administered with omega-3 PUFA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Ross
- Division of Medical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine and Department of Chemistry and Public Health Program, Lakehead University, Room MS 3002, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ont., Canada P7B 5E1.
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16
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Abstract
A range of neurotransmitter systems have been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia based on the antidopaminergic activities of antipsychotic medications, and chemicals that can induce psychotic-like symptoms, such as ketamine or PCP. Such neurotransmitter systems often mediate their cellular response via G-protein-coupled release of arachidonic acid (AA) via the activation of phospholipases A2 (PLA2s). The interaction of three PLA2s are important for the regulation of the release of AA--phospholipase A2 Group 2 A, phospholipase A2 Group 4A and phospholipase A2 Group 6A. Gene variations of these three key enzymes have been associated with schizophrenia with conflicting results. Preclinical data suggest that the activity of these three enzymes are associated with monoaminergic neurotransmission, and may contribute to the differential efficacy of antipsychotic medications, as well as other biological changes thought to underlie schizophrenia, such as altered neurodevelopment and synaptic remodelling. We review the evidence and discuss the potential roles of these three key enzymes for schizophrenia with particular emphasis on published association studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Law
- Genomic Disorders Research Centre, Melbourne, VI, Australia
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17
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Wei J, Hemmings GP. A further study of a possible locus for schizophrenia on the X chromosome. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 344:1241-5. [PMID: 16650384 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2006] [Accepted: 04/04/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Several studies suggest that the X chromosome may contain a gene for schizophrenia. In the present study, we recruited 142 male schizophrenic patients and their biological mothers from all parts of the United Kingdom to detect a genetic association for the SYP/CACNA1F locus in the Xp11 region and the FACL4 locus in the Xq22.3-Xq23 region. The haplotype-based haplotype relative risk (HHRR) analysis showed allelic association for rs2071316 (chi2=6.85, P=0.009) and rs5905724 (chi2=5.3, P=0.021) at the CACNA1F locus, but not for rs5943414 and rs1324805 at the FACL4 locus and rs3817678 at the SYP locus. The haplotype analysis showed a weak association for the rs3817678-rs2071316-rs5905724 haplotypes (chi2=12.19, df=4, P=0.016) but did not show such an association for the rs5943414-rs1324805 haplotypes (chi2=3.96, df=2, P=0.138). Because the linkage disequilibrium signal was detected only at the CACNA1F locus, this gene should perhaps be considered as being a candidate for schizophrenia although further work is needed to draw firm conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wei
- Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Schizophrenia Association of Great Britain, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2AG, UK.
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18
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Abstract
Bioactive lipids, in particular arachidonic acid (AA), are vital for monoaminergic neurotransmission, brain development and synaptic plasticity. Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are key-enzymes in AA metabolism and are activated during monoaminergic neurotransmission. Reduced membrane AA levels, and an altered activity of PLA2 have been found in peripheral membranes of drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia with some conflicting results in more chronic patient populations. Furthermore, in vivo brain phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy suggests reduced lipid membrane precursors (phosphomonoesters) and increased membrane breakdown products (phosphodiesters) in drug-naïve or early treated first-episode schizophrenia patients compared to age-matched controls or chronic populations and these changes were correlated with peripheral red blood cell membrane AA levels. We postulate that processes modulating membrane lipid metabolism are associated with psychotic illnesses and might partially explain the mechanism of action of antipsychotic agents, as well as experimental agents such as purified ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid (E-EPA). Recent supplementation trials suggest that E-EPA is a modestly effective augmentation treatment resulting in reduced doses of antipsychotic medication in acutely ill patients with schizophrenia (but not in residual-type schizophrenia). This review investigates the role of bioactive lipids in schizophrenia and its treatment, as well as its potential use in prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor E Berger
- ORYGEN Youth Health and ORYGEN Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia.
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19
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Tao R, Yu Y, Zhang X, Shi J, Guo Y, Wang C, Han B, Xu Q, Shang H, Zhang X, Xie L, Liu S, Ju G, Shen Y, Wei J. A family based study of the genetic association between the PLA2G4D gene and schizophrenia. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2005; 73:419-22. [PMID: 16213696 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2005.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2005] [Accepted: 08/28/2005] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study detected two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the PLA2G4D locus, rs2459692 and rs4924618, to investigate a genetic association between the PLA2G4D gene and schizophrenia. A total of 236 Chinese parent-offspring trios of Han descent were recruited for the genetic analysis. The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) did not show allelic association either for rs2459692 (chi(2) = 0.217, P = 0.641) or for rs4924618 (chi(2) = 0.663, P = 0.416). To see the combined effect of the PLA2G4D locus with the other three PLA2G4 genes, we applied the above two SNPs as a conditional marker to test the pair-wise combination for a disease association. The conditioning on allele (COA) test revealed a weak association for the rs2459692-PLA2G4A combination (chi(2) = 6.03, df = 2, P = 0.049), the rs2459692-PLA2G4B combination (chi(2) = 7.16, df = 3, P = 0.028) and the rs4924618-PLA2G4C combination (chi(2) = 7.01, df = 2, P = 0.03), whereas the conditioning on genotype (COG) test showed a weak association only for the rs4924618-PLA2G4C combination (chi(2) = 8.52, df = 3, P = 0.036). Because we performed a multi-locus analysis in this study, the weak association shown by the conditional tests could make little biological sense. In conclusion, the PLA2G4D gene may not be involved in a susceptibility to schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Tao
- Jilin University Research Center for Genomic Medicine, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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20
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Yu Y, Tao R, Shi J, Zhang X, Kou C, Guo Y, Zhang X, Lin X, Liu S, Ju G, Xu Q, Shang H, Shen Y, Wei J. A genetic study of two calcium-independent cytosolic PLA2 genes in schizophrenia. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2005; 73:351-4. [PMID: 16115752 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2005.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2005] [Revised: 05/31/2005] [Accepted: 07/01/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The present study detected 9 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the PLA2G4C and PLA2G6 loci among 240 Chinese parent-offspring trios of Han descent. Of these 9 SNPs, 5 showed highly polymorphic in the Chinese population. They were then applied as genetic markers to test the genetic association of these two calcium-independent cytosolic PLA2 genes with schizophrenia. The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) showed that rs1549637 at the PLA2G4C locus was the only SNP associated with the illness (chi(2) = 5.63, P = 0.018). The global P-value was 0.082 for 1000 permutations with the TDT analysis. Neither the conditional on allele test nor the conditional on genotype test showed a disease association for the combination of these two genes. Because the PLA2G4C association is so weak, this initial finding should be interpreted with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqin Yu
- Jilin University Research Center for Genomic Medicine, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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21
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Tao R, Yu Y, Zhang X, Guo Y, Shi J, Zhang X, Xie L, Liu S, Ju G, Xu Q, Shen Y, Wei J. Cytosolic PLA2 genes possibly contribute to the etiology of schizophrenia. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2005; 137B:56-8. [PMID: 15999343 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The present study detected three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), BanISNP at the PLA2G4A locus, rs1648833 at the PLA2G4B locus, and rs1549637 at the PLA2G4C locus, to investigate a genetic association between the cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) genes and schizophrenia. A total of 240 Chinese parent-offspring trios of Han descent were recruited for the genetic analysis. The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) showed allelic association for rs1549637 (chi(2) = 5.68, uncorrected P = 0.017), but not for BanISNP and rs1648833. The conditioning on genotype (COG) test revealed a disease association for the BanISNP-rs1648833 combination (chi(2) = 12.54, df = 3, P = 0.0057) and for the BanISNP-rs1549637 combination (chi(2) = 9.72, df = 2, P = 0.021), but the conditioning on allele (COA) test did not show such an association for the above two combinations. Neither the COA test nor the COG showed a disease association for the rs1648833-rs1549637 combination. In the combination of all three SNPs, the COG test, but not the COA test, showed a strong association (chi(2) = 22.93, df = 6, P = 0.0008). These findings suggest that these three cPLA2 genes may all be involved in contributing to the etiology of schizophrenia although their effect size appears to be relatively small.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Tao
- Jilin University Research Center for Genomic Medicine, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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22
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Smesny S, Kinder D, Willhardt I, Rosburg T, Lasch J, Berger G, Sauer H. Increased calcium-independent phospholipase A2 activity in first but not in multiepisode chronic schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2005; 57:399-405. [PMID: 15705356 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2004.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2004] [Revised: 08/30/2004] [Accepted: 11/10/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased activity of calcium independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) has repeatedly been found in the serum of unmedicated first-episode schizophrenia patients and assumed to reflect a pertubation of phospholipid metabolism. Previous studies in chronic schizophrenia were less conclusive. To explore whether iPLA2 changes are stage dependent, we investigated serum iPLA2 activity in various stages of schizophrenia. METHODS iPLA2 activity was assessed in the serum of 30 first-episode and 23 multiepisode schizophrenia patients and 53 healthy control subjects matched for age and gender. A fluorimetric assay was applied using the PLA2 specific substrate NBDC6-HPC, thin-layer chromatography of reaction products, and digital image scanning for signal detection. RESULTS Group comparison between first-episode and multiepisode patients and corresponding control groups revealed significantly increased iPLA2 activity only in first-episode patients. Enzyme activity in first-episode patients was also markedly increased, compared with chronic patients. iPLA2 changes observed were irrespective of neuroleptic medication, age, or gender. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest increased lipid turnover in the acute early phase of schizophrenia that is less obvious in chronic stages. Future longitudinal studies involving iPLA2 activity and phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy need to address the relation between perturbed brain lipid metabolism and iPLA2 increment in the course of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Smesny
- Department of Psychiatry, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, USA.
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23
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Whalley LJ, Fox HC, Wahle KW, Starr JM, Deary IJ. Cognitive aging, childhood intelligence, and the use of food supplements: possible involvement of n-3 fatty acids. Am J Clin Nutr 2004; 80:1650-7. [PMID: 15585782 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/80.6.1650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food supplement use is widely promoted, but little is known about the cognitive effects of food supplements. OBJECTIVE We examined the effects of food supplement use on cognitive aging. DESIGN This was an observational study of subjects born in 1936 whose mental ability was tested in 1947 and who were followed up in 2000-2001, at which time cognition, diet, food supplement use, and risk factors for vascular disease were assessed. In a nested case-control study, fish-oil users were matched with nonusers, and cognitive function was related to erythrocyte n-3 fatty acid composition. RESULTS Childhood intelligence quotient (IQ) did not differ significantly by category of food supplement use (ie, none, fish oil, vitamins, and other). At the age of 64 y, cognitive function was higher in food supplement users than in nonusers before adjustment for childhood IQ. After adjustment for childhood IQ, digit symbol (mental speed) test scores were higher in food supplement users. Fish-oil supplement users consumed more vitamin C and vegetable and cereal fiber than did non-supplement-users. In a nested case-control study, erythrocyte membrane n-3 content was higher in fish-oil supplement users than in nonusers, but cognitive function did not differ significantly between groups. Total erythrocyte n-3 fatty acids and the ratio of docosahexaenoic acid to arachidonic acid was associated with better cognitive function in late life before and after adjustment for childhood IQ. CONCLUSIONS Food supplement use and erythrocyte n-3 content are associated with better cognitive aging. If associations with n-3 content are causal, optimization of n-3 and n-6 fatty acid intakes could improve retention of cognitive function in old age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence J Whalley
- University of Aberdeen, Department of Mental Health, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
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24
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Peet M, Shah S, Selvam K, Ramchand CN. Polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in red cell membranes of unmedicated schizophrenic patients. World J Biol Psychiatry 2004; 5:92-9. [PMID: 15179668 DOI: 10.1080/15622970410029917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
There are several reports of reduced levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in membrane phospholipid from various tissues including red blood cells (RBC) taken from schizophrenic patients. However, reports have not been entirely consistent and most studies have been confounded by the potential effects of environmental factors including antipsychotic medication and diet. We measured PUFA levels in RBC from two separate groups of unmedicated patients and control subjects from India and Malaysia, populations which have substantial differences in diet. We found no significant difference in levels of AA between patients and control subjects in either population. Levels of adrenic acid were significantly reduced, and levels of DHA significantly increased in both clinical populations. However, diet-related differences in DHA between the populations from India and Malaysia were much greater than differences between schizophrenic patients and controls. It is concluded that reduced RBC membrane levels of AA and DHA are not pathognomic of schizophrenia but that variations in cell membrane fatty acid levels are an epiphenomenon which may reflect underlying abnormalities of phospholipid and fatty acid metabolism and their interaction with environmental factors including medication and diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malcolm Peet
- Rotherham Mental Health Services, Swallownest Court, Aughton Road, Sheffield, S26 4TH, UK.
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25
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Skosnik PD, Yao JK. From membrane phospholipid defects to altered neurotransmission: is arachidonic acid a nexus in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia? Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2003; 69:367-84. [PMID: 14623490 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2003.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a devastating neuropsychiatric disorder affecting 1% of the general population, and is characterized by symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and blunted affect. While many ideas regarding SZ pathogenesis have been put forth, the majority of research has focused on neurotransmitter function, particularly in relation to altered dopamine activity. However, treatments based on this paradigm have met with only modest success, and current medications fail to alleviate symptoms in 30-60% of patients. An alternative idea postulated a quarter of a century ago by Feldberg (Psychol. Med. 6 (1976) 359) and Horrobin (Lancet 1 (1977) 936) involves the theory that SZ is associated in part with phospholipid/fatty acid abnormalities. Since then, it has been repeatedly shown that in both central and peripheral tissue, SZ patients demonstrate increased phospholipid breakdown and decreased levels of various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly arachidonic acid (AA). Given the diverse physiological function of membrane phospholipids and PUFAs, an elucidation of their role in SZ pathophysiology may provide novel strategies in the treatment of this disorder. The purpose of this review is to summarize the relevant data on membrane phospholipid/PUFA defects in SZ, the physiological consequence of altered AA signaling, and how they relate to the neurobiological manifestations of SZ and therapeutic outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- P D Skosnik
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
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26
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Messamore E. Relationship between the niacin skin flush response and essential fatty acids in schizophrenia. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2003; 69:413-9. [PMID: 14623495 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2003.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The skin flush response to niacin is selectively mediated by the release of vasodilatory prostaglandins from the skin. The normal skin flush response to niacin is attenuated in many individuals with schizophrenia (SCZ). This finding suggests abnormal prostaglandin signaling in SCZ. Since prostaglandins are derived from arachidonic acid (AA), the finding of an abnormal skin flush response is consistent with biochemical data suggesting relative depletion of AA, and other essential fatty acids (EFAs), in a substantial portion of people with SCZ. This paper will describe the mechanism of the skin flush response to niacin, and will review evidence that the response to niacin is abnormal in SCZ, that this abnormality is not related to psychotropic medications, and that it may be a marker of the EFA deficiency which has been documented to be present in many patients with SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Messamore
- Behavioral Health and Clinical Neurosciences Division and Research Service, Portland VA Medical Center, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR 97201, USA.
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27
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Abstract
A variety of biochemical, clinical and genetic evidence suggests that phospholipid metabolism may play an aetiological role in schizophrenia. A key piece of evidence is the reduced vasodilatory response of patients with schizophrenia to nicotinic acid (NA). NA causes vasodilation via the activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) leading to the release of free fatty acids from membrane phospholipids and the subsequent production of prostaglandins. Insensitivity to NA may be due to a 'block' in the downstream signaling pathway used by the drug to evoke its response. It can be argued that if such an abnormality occurs in neurons, impaired PLA2-dependent signaling could result in altered glutamateric and dopaminergic transmission in such a way as to produce or exacerbate psychotic symptoms. The complimentary finding of increased PLA2 activity in schizophrenia may be an attempt to overcome the signaling block. It is suggested that intervention aimed at increasing the activity of PLA2-dependent signaling systems may be therapeutically useful in the treatment of the illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Ross
- Ness Foundation, UNI Millennium Institute, Ness House, Dochgarroch, IV3 8GY, Inverness, Scotland, UK.
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Fox H, Ross BM, Tocher D, Horrobin D, Glen I, St Clair D. Degradation of specific polyunsaturated fatty acids in red blood cells stored at -20 degrees C proceeds faster in patients with schizophrenia when compared with healthy controls. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2003; 69:291-7. [PMID: 14580362 DOI: 10.1016/s0952-3278(03)00084-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Deficits in red blood cell (RBC) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been extensively reported in schizophrenia although reports are inconsistent. A possible explanation for this inconsistency is varying storage conditions of blood samples prior to analysis, especially freezer storage temperature. We conducted a prospective investigation of fatty acid degradation rates in RBCs from healthy control subjects when samples from each individual were stored at both -20 degrees C or -70 degrees C. Differences were detected between storage conditions. A second prospective study was conducted to investigate the effect of differential storage conditions on RBC membrane fatty acids from schizophrenic patients. We found that storage at -20 degrees C was associated with reduced levels of PUFAs. Comparison of decay rates suggest that schizophrenics decay approximately twice as rapidly as controls. Furthermore, this phenomenon appears to be specific for the longer chain PUFAs suggesting that an enzymatic process may be responsible, e.g. elevated phospholipase A(2) activity, as opposed to simple chemical oxidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Fox
- Department of Mental Health, Clinical Research Center, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Scotland AB25 2ZH, Aberdeen, UK
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29
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Maclean R, Ward PE, Glen I, Roberts SJ, Ross BM. On the relationship between methylnicotinate-induced skin flush and fatty acids levels in acute psychosis. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2003; 27:927-33. [PMID: 14499309 DOI: 10.1016/s0278-5846(03)00152-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Vasodilation induced by methylnicotinate, a fatty acid- and cyclooxygenase-dependent process, is reduced or absent in patients with schizophrenia. This phenomenon has been suggested to be useful as a diagnostic test for the illness. To determine whether reduced flushing is specific to schizophrenia and is caused by a deficiency in membrane fatty acids, the extent of topically applied methylnicotinate-induced vasodilation was measured in 23 subjects with schizophrenia, 20 subjects with bipolar disorder and 34 healthy volunteers along with red cell fatty acid concentrations and measures of clinical severity. Although there was a significant decrease in an estimate of vasodilation (erythema) compared with healthy volunteers in both schizophrenia and bipolar groups, the schizophrenia group responded significantly less than subjects with bipolar disorder. The reduction in the bipolar group was partly due to a delayed vasodilatory reaction, an effect not observed in subjects with schizophrenia. In subjects with schizophrenia, there were no significant correlations between methylnicotinate response and fatty acid concentrations. The authors conclude that the methylnicotinate procedure can differentiate schizophrenia from other serious mental illness. The methylnicotinate insensitivity in schizophrenia, however, is likely to be due to a deficiency in the fatty acid precursors required for the vasodilatory reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roderick Maclean
- New Craigs Hospital, Highland Primary Care NHS Trust, Inverness, UK
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30
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Hibbeln JR, Makino KK, Martin CE, Dickerson F, Boronow J, Fenton WS. Smoking, gender, and dietary influences on erythrocyte essential fatty acid composition among patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2003; 53:431-41. [PMID: 12614996 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3223(02)01549-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior reports of decreased levels of essential fatty acids among schizophrenic patients have generated several hypotheses proposing inherent abnormalities in phospholipid and fatty acid metabolism and have provided the basis for treatment trials; however, these essential fatty acid aberrations may be attributable to uncontrolled factors, such as smoking, rather than abnormalities inherent to schizophrenia. METHODS Erythrocyte fatty acid compositions were quantified in 72 medicated schizophrenic or schizoaffective patients both at baseline and after 16 weeks of supplementation with 3 g/day of either ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid or placebo. Current smoking status, gender, dietary survey, and Montgomery Asburg Depression Rating Scale, Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores were assessed. RESULTS Schizophrenic patients who smoked had lower baseline erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid percent (2.98 +/-.7 vs. 3.59 +/- 1.2, p <.005) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) percent (.39 +/-.13 vs. 47 +/-.22, p <.05), compared with nonsmokers, with a significant gender interaction (p <.01) in multivariate analyses of variance. Baseline arachidonic acid did not differ. Smokers reported lower dietary intake (percent total fat) of linolenic acid (F = 10.1, p <.003) compared with nonsmokers. Nonsmoking women reported greater dietary intake of EPA compared with smoking men or nonsmokers of either gender. CONCLUSIONS Smoking status, gender, and dietary intake significantly predicted erythrocyte polyunsaturated fatty acid status among schizophrenic patients. No evidence was found for subgroups of schizophrenia or relationships to specific symptom severity on the basis of erythrocyte fatty acids. Prior reports of abnormalities of essential fatty acid metabolism among schizophrenic patients may have been an artifact of patients' smoking behavior and differences in dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Hibbeln
- Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852, USA
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31
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Berger GE, Wood SJ, Pantelis C, Velakoulis D, Wellard RM, McGorry PD. Implications of lipid biology for the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2002; 36:355-66. [PMID: 12060184 DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1614.2001.01021.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Preclinical and clinical data suggest that lipid biology is integral to brain development and neurodegeneration. Both aspects are proposed as being important in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of lipid biology, in particular the role of essential fatty acids (EFA), for schizophrenia. METHODS Medline databases were searched from 1966 to 2001 followed by the cross-checking of references. RESULTS Most studies investigating lipids in schizophrenia described reduced EFA, altered glycerophospholipids and an increased activity of a calcium-independent phospholipase A2 in blood cells and in post-mortem brain tissue. Additionally, in vivo brain phosphorus-31 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (31P-MRS) demonstrated lower phosphomonoesters (implying reduced membrane precursors) in first- and multi-episode patients. In contrast, phosphodiesters were elevated mainly in first-episode patients (implying increased membrane breakdown products), whereas inconclusive results were found in chronic patients. EFA supplementation trials in chronic patient populations with residual symptoms have demonstrated conflicting results. More consistent results were observed in the early and symptomatic stages of illness, especially if EFA with a high proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid was used. CONCLUSION Peripheral blood cell, brain necropsy and 31P-MRS analysis reveal a disturbed lipid biology, suggesting generalized membrane alterations in schizophrenia. 31P-MRS data suggest increased membrane turnover at illness onset and persisting membrane abnormalities in established schizophrenia. Cellular processes regulating membrane lipid metabolism are potential new targets for antipsychotic drugs and might explain the mechanism of action of treatments such as eicosapentaenoic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor E Berger
- Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre, MH-SKY (EPPIC), Victoria.
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32
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Fukuzako H. Neurochemical investigation of the schizophrenic brain by in vivo phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy. World J Biol Psychiatry 2001; 2:70-82. [PMID: 12587188 DOI: 10.3109/15622970109027496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal phospholipid metabolisms may play important roles in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) offers a new method for studying phosphorus-related metabolism in vivo. A decrease in the level of phosphomonoesters (PME) and an increase in the level of phosphodiesters (PDE) has been demonstrated in the prefrontal lobe of neuroleptic-naive schizophrenic patients. Most of the studies in medicated schizophrenic patients have shown decreased PME and/or increased PDE. The decreased PME in the frontal lobe appears to be associated with negative symptoms and poor working memory performance. 1H-decoupled 31P-MRS revealed a reduction in the phosphocholine element of PME and an elevation in the mobile phospholipids of PDE in the prefrontal region of medicated schizophrenic patients. PDE were elevated in the temporal lobes of neuroleptic-naive schizophrenic patients, and this increase was partially normalized by haloperidol administration. Data about the temporal lobes of medicated schizophrenic patients have not been consistent. Except for the reduction in the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the basal ganglia and the correlation between the increase in the frontal lobe phosphocreatine (PCr) and negative symptomatology, data related to changes in high-energy phosphates are contradictory. No consensus on the effect of neuroleptics on phosphorus metabolites has been achieved. Methodological problems inherent in 31P-MRS may have contributed to the confusion in understanding available data. Future directions of MRS studies are suggested in the last section of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Fukuzako
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan.
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Assies J, Lieverse R, Vreken P, Wanders RJ, Dingemans PM, Linszen DH. Significantly reduced docosahexaenoic and docosapentaenoic acid concentrations in erythrocyte membranes from schizophrenic patients compared with a carefully matched control group. Biol Psychiatry 2001; 49:510-22. [PMID: 11257236 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3223(00)00986-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fatty acid research in schizophrenia has demonstrated an altered cell membrane phospholipid metabolism. Erythrocyte membrane phospholipid composition closest reflects that of neuronal membranes. METHODS (Poly)(un)saturated fatty acid concentrations were measured in the erythrocyte membranes of 19, consecutively admitted, medicated young schizophrenic patients and then compared with matched control subjects. Psychiatric symptomatology was rated with the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Because diet, hormones, and cannabis influence fatty acid metabolism, we included these factors in our study. RESULTS The most distinctive findings concerned the omega-3 series: C22:5 omega-3, C22:6 omega-3 (docosahexaenoic acid), and the sum of omega-3 fatty acids were significantly decreased. Interestingly, C20:4 omega-6 (arachidonic acid) was not lowered. In the omega-9 series, higher levels of C22:1 omega-9 and lower levels its elongation product, C24:1 omega-9 (nervonic acid), were found. Interestingly, the other arm of the desaturation-elongation sequence of C18:1 omega-9, C20:3 omega-9, was lower in patients. The total omega-9 fatty acid levels were also lower in patients. CONCLUSIONS Significant differences in erythrocyte fatty acid composition were found. The differences were not due to diet or hormonal status and could not be explained by the medication or cannabis use. No consistent pattern emerged from the different fatty acid abnormalities and the clinical symptom scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Assies
- Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Frieboes RM, Moises HW, Gattaz WF, Yang L, Li T, Liu X, Vetter P, Macciardi F, Hwu HG, Henn F. Lack of association between schizophrenia and the phospholipase-A2 genes cPLA2 and sPLA2. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.1262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Fenton WS, Hibbeln J, Knable M. Essential fatty acids, lipid membrane abnormalities, and the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2000; 47:8-21. [PMID: 10650444 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3223(99)00092-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent research suggests that deficient uptake or excessive breakdown of membrane phospholipids may be associated with schizophrenia. We review available clinical research on abnormalities in membrane fatty acid composition and metabolism in schizophrenia, and therapeutic trials of fatty acid in this disorder. All potentially relevant English-language articles were identified from the medical and psychiatric literature with the aid of computer searches using key words such as lipids, phospholipids, prostaglandins and schizophrenia. All studies which include human subjects are reviewed. Empirical studies related to membrane hypotheses of schizophrenia focus on: 1) assessment of prostaglandins (PG) and their essential fatty acid (EFA) precursors in the tissues of patients with schizophrenia; 2) evaluation of the niacin flush test as a possible diagnostic marker; 3) evaluation of phospholipase enzyme activity; 4) NMR spectroscopy studies of brain phospholipid metabolism; and 5) therapeutic trials of PG precursors for the treatment of schizophrenia. The most consistent clinical findings include red blood cell fatty acid membrane abnormalities, NMR spectroscopy evidence of increased phospholipid turnover and a therapeutic effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation of neuroleptic treatment in some schizophrenia patients. Studies of EFA metabolism have proved fruitful for generating and testing novel etiologic hypotheses and new therapeutic agents for schizophrenia. Greater attention to factors that influence tissue EFA levels such as diet, tobacco and alcohol are required to reconcile inconsistent findings. Treatment studies, although promising, require independent replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- W S Fenton
- Stanley Treatment Programs at Chestnut Lodge, Bethesda (MK), Maryland, USA
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