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Membrane fatty acids, niacin flushing and clinical parameters
A I Glen1, S J Cooper, J Rybakowski
1Highland Psychiatric Research Group, Craig Dunain Hospital, Inverness, UK.
Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids
|August 1, 1996
Summary
The niacin flush test may identify schizophrenia subgroups by assessing essential fatty acid metabolism. Patients with lower arachidonic acid levels showed reduced flushing, but increased levels predicted improved response.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Clinical definitions of schizophrenia lack reliability.
- The niacin flush test explores essential fatty acid (EFA) metabolism in schizophrenia.
- This test may define patient subgroups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine clinical factors associated with the niacin flush response in schizophrenia patients with negative symptoms.
- To investigate the relationship between EFA levels and niacin flush response.
- To explore predictors of conversion from non-flushing to flushing.
Main Methods:
- A multicentre study involving schizophrenic patients with negative symptoms.
- Assessment of niacin flush response and its correlation with clinical symptoms.
- Measurement of arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels in red blood cell membranes.
- 6-month supplementation period with monitoring of niacin response and EFA levels.
Main Results:
- Schizophrenia patients who failed to flush had significantly lower levels of arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid.
- Increased arachidonic acid levels in red blood cell membranes predicted conversion from non-flushing to flushing.
- Positive flush response was significantly associated with increased affective symptoms, not negative or positive symptoms.
Conclusions:
- The niacin flush test is a potential tool for identifying subgroups of schizophrenia patients based on EFA metabolism.
- Arachidonic acid levels are crucial for predicting niacin flush response and may be a target for intervention.
- Further research is needed to explore the stability of the niacin test and its relation to the anandamide system and periodic phenomena in psychiatric disorders.
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