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Essential fatty acids and Barratt impulsivity in gambling disorder
Patricia Sanchez-Paez1, Josefa Perez-Templado2, Jeronimo Saiz-Ruiz2,3,4,5
1Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Spain. patripaez66@hotmail.com.
BMC Psychiatry
|March 8, 2020
Summary
Altered polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels in gamblers are linked to impulsivity. Specifically, the arachidonic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid ratio in erythrocyte membranes was lower in impulsive individuals, suggesting a potential biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience and Psychiatry
- Nutritional Science
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are implicated in mental illnesses, particularly those with high impulsivity.
- Research on basal PUFA composition in impulsive individuals is limited and inconclusive.
- No studies have specifically investigated PUFA composition in gambling disorder.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between basal PUFA composition in plasma and erythrocyte membranes and impulsivity in individuals with gambling disorder.
Main Methods:
- Observational, cross-sectional study of 55 men with gambling disorder.
- Assessed basal PUFA composition using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
- Measured trait impulsivity with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11).
Main Results:
- A negative correlation was found between the erythrocyte membrane arachidonic acid (AA)/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ratio and total BIS-11 scores.
- Impulsive gamblers exhibited higher EPA proportions and lower AA/EPA and AA/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ratios in erythrocyte membranes compared to non-impulsive gamblers.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the hypothesis of altered basal PUFA composition in disorders with high impulsivity.
- The directionality of this relationship requires further investigation.
- More research is needed to clarify the link between essential fatty acids and impulsive behaviors.
