Fish Oil May Help Prevent Psychiatric Disorders

Researchers who have worked with teenagers at risk for serious mental disorders for the past 10 years are now assessing the effectiveness of omega 3 fatty acids, such as those in fish oil, for treating psychiatric symptoms.

This new study, conducted by investigators from Zucker Hillside Hospital’s (Glen Oaks, NY, USA) Recognition and Prevention (RAP) Program, is a US National Institute of Mental Health (Bethesda, MD, USA)-funded randomized double-blind trial that was designed to evaluate whether omega-3 fatty acids improve clinical symptoms, and help adolescents and young adults (ages 12 to 25) who are at increased risk for severe psychiatric disorders function better in school, work, and other social settings.

“Of the 300 adolescents who have participated in the RAP Program, most have shown substantial improvement,” noted Barbara Cornblatt, PhD, director of the Recognition and Prevention Program and investigator at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research (Manhasset, NY, USA). “If this study continues to show success, omega 3 could offer a natural alternative to the range of medications and therapies now offered to RAP participants. Ultimately, the goal of the RAP Program is to intervene and prevent illness before symptoms get worse.”

Omega 3 fatty acids are vital for normal brain function and they have been increasingly examined as potential treatments for medical and psychiatric disorders. The RAP Program study will randomly assign participants to either omega 3 supplementation or to a placebo, and will compare the groups on key measures of symptoms and functioning after six months. Participants in both groups will be monitored closely on a monthly basis and compensation will be provided.

Related Links:
North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System Hillside Hospital’s
Recognition and Prevention Program