Work

PM485. Association between erythrocyte membrane fatty acids and psychopathology in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis

Year: 2016

Type: conference-abstract

Abstract: Object: This study investigated the relationship between erythrocyte membrane fatty acid (FA) levels and the severity of symptoms of individuals at ultra-high risk(UHR) for psychosis. Methods: The study sample consisted of 80 neuroleptic-naïve UHR patients. Associations between baseline erythrocyte membrane FA levels, measured by gas chromatography, and scores on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale, and the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) were investigated. After correlation analysis in all participants, subjects were divided into three groups according to the predominance of positive or negative symptoms based on PANSS subscale scores; membrane FA levels in the three groups were then compared. Results: PANSS negative symptom scores were negatively correlated with two saturated FAs (myristic and margaric acids), one ω-9 monounsaturated FA (MUFA;nervonic acid), and oneω-3 polyunsaturated FA(PUFA; docosapentaenoic acid). Negative symptom scores were positively correlated with twoω-9 MUFAs(eicosenoic and erucic acids) and two ω-6 PUFAs (γ-linoleic and docosadienoic acids). PANSS positive symptom scores were correlated only with nervonic acid. No associations were observed between FAs and MADRS scores. In subjects with dominant negative symptoms, the sum of the ω-9 MUFAs and the ω-6:ω-3 FA ratio were both significantly higher than in those with dominant positive symptoms, whereas the sum of ω-3 PUFAs was significantly lower. Conclusions: Abnormalities in FA metabolism may contribute to the neurobiology of psychopathology in UHR individuals. In particular, membrane FA alterations may play a role in negative symptoms, which are primary psychopathological manifestations of schizophrenia-related disability.

Source: The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology

DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyw041.485