No Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Symptoms or Hostility Among Patients With Schizophrenia

• Main Authors: Yi Qiao, Cai Ping Liu, Hui Qin Han, Feng Ju Liu, Yang Shao, Bin Xie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-04-01
• Series: Frontiers in Psychiatry
• Subjects: schizophrenia; psychopathology; hostility; omega-3; randomized control trial
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00312/full

ObjectiveThis study was aimed to explore the impact of fish oil (Omega-3 fatty acids) on hostility and psychopathology among patients with acute violent schizophrenia.MethodSixty seven acute hospitalized patients demonstrating violent behavior in the context of a schizophrenic illness, treated with antipsychotics, were randomly assigned to a supplement with either fish oil (N=32) or placebo (N=35) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Assessments were conducted at the baseline, week 4 and week 8.ResultsThe symptoms and hostility decreased after treatment for 4 and 8 weeks in both groups, with no group differences.ConclusionsThe current study did not find improvements in symptoms or hostility from the Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with schizophrenia. The implication is that Omega-3 fatty acids do not reduce psychopathology and hostility in acute patients with schizophrenia.