Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders01:27

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview01:28

Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview

The term "psychosis" refers to a spectrum of mental disorders characterized by abnormal thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors. It can manifest as mood disorders, dementia, delirium with psychotic features, substance-induced psychosis with psychotic features, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia. Among all these disorders, schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder, affecting 1% of the worldwide population. Psychotic symptoms in all...
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy01:26

Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy

Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation. For...
Structure of Lipids03:38

Structure of Lipids

Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (“water fearing”), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, they help keep aquatic birds and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Exploring the Relationship Between Inflammatory Biomarkers and Negative Symptoms Subtypes in Individuals at Ultra-High Risk for Psychosis.

Early intervention in psychiatry·2026
Same author

The Staging Model in Psychosis and Preventive Interventions: An Emerging Field With Debates on Conceptual Models and Interpretation of the Evidence Base.

Early intervention in psychiatry·2026
Same author

Depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and the impact on treatment motivation and satisfaction.

International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice·2026
Same author

Diagnostic sequence of chronic pain and severe mental illness: Relationship with mental health and hospitalization outcomes.

British journal of pain·2026
Same author

Changes in insight and outcome over the early course of first-episode psychosis. The OPTiMiSE trial.

Schizophrenia research. Cognition·2026
Same author

Unravelling Distress in Psychotic-Like Experiences: A Systematic Review of Non-Clinical Populations.

Early intervention in psychiatry·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Derivation, Expansion, Cryopreservation and Characterization of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
08:04

Derivation, Expansion, Cryopreservation and Characterization of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: November 19, 2020

Polyunsaturated fatty acids in emerging psychosis.

Nilufar Mossaheb1, Monika Schloegelhofer, Miriam R Schaefer

  • 1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University Vienna, Austria.

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|January 14, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may help prevent early psychosis and manage side effects in chronic stages. Further research is needed to explore their neuroprotective potential in high-risk populations.

More Related Videos

Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
07:30

Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study

Published on: August 18, 2020

Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra
05:14

Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra

Published on: September 8, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 25, 2026

Derivation, Expansion, Cryopreservation and Characterization of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
08:04

Derivation, Expansion, Cryopreservation and Characterization of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: November 19, 2020

Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
07:30

Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study

Published on: August 18, 2020

Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra
05:14

Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra

Published on: September 8, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Nutritional Psychiatry
  • Metabolic Psychiatry

Background:

  • Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their metabolites are implicated in psychotic disorders.
  • Evidence suggests limited efficacy of PUFAs as an add-on treatment for chronic schizophrenia.
  • Epidemiological data and early studies indicate potential preventive roles in emerging psychosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review the role of PUFAs in the etiology and treatment of psychotic disorders.
  • To examine the evidence for PUFAs in psychosis prevention, monotherapy, and add-on therapy.
  • To assess the tolerability and neuroprotective potential of n-3 long-chain PUFAs (LC-PUFAs).

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of physiological and metabolic pathways of PUFAs and phospholipases.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data and controlled studies on PUFAs in psychosis.
  • Examination of evidence regarding brain effects, neurodevelopment, and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

  • PUFAs show limited efficacy as an augmenting agent in chronic schizophrenia.
  • Potential preventive effects of LC-PUFAs in early stages of psychotic disorders are suggested.
  • Beneficial long-term effects, particularly for metabolic and extra-pyramidal side effects, may occur in later stages.

Conclusions:

  • The neuroprotective potential of n-3 LC-PUFAs for indicated prevention in high-risk populations requires further investigation.
  • PUFAs may play a role in delaying the transition to psychosis.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the therapeutic applications of PUFAs in psychotic disorders.