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Reduction in perseverative errors with adjunctive ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid in patients with schizophrenia:
R Reddy1, S Fleet-Michaliszyn, R Condray
1University of Toledo School of Medicine, OH, USA. reddyr@upmc.edu
Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids
|January 8, 2011
Summary
Ethyl-eicosapentanoate (EPA) supplementation may improve executive function in early schizophrenia. This study found reduced perseverative errors on the Wisconsin Card Sort Test after 24 weeks of EPA treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Schizophrenia is characterized by significant cognitive deficits.
- These deficits are often resistant to standard treatments.
- Early course schizophrenia presents an opportunity for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the procognitive effects of ethyl-eicosapentanoate (EPA) in early schizophrenia.
- To assess EPA's impact on executive function.
- To evaluate changes in cognitive performance over 24 weeks.
Main Methods:
- An open-label study involving 27 early course schizophrenia patients.
- Daily administration of 2g ethyl-eicosapentanoate (EPA) for 24 weeks.
- Wisconsin Card Sort Test (WCST) administered at baseline and at weeks 4, 12, and 24.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in perseverative errors on the WCST from baseline (28.2) to week 24 (18.4).
- Significant improvement in positive symptoms observed.
- No correlation found between EPA levels and clinical or neuropsychological measures.
Conclusions:
- Ethyl-eicosapentanoate (EPA) demonstrates potential procognitive effects in schizophrenia patients.
- Further controlled trials are necessary to confirm these findings.
- EPA may represent a novel therapeutic avenue for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
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