Omega-3 fatty acids ameliorate cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia patients with metabolic syndrome.

Abstract Our previous study showed that metabolic abnormalities reduced the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and deteriorated cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia. Inflammation may play a key role in this process. Omega-3 fatty acids have been documented to ameliorate inflammation. Therefore, we hypothesized that omega-3 fatty acids may be of value in enhancing BDNF levels and improving cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia with metabolic syndrome (MetS). We recruited 80 patients with both schizophrenia and MetS who received long-term olanzapine monotherapy. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). The patients were randomly assigned to the OMG-3 group (n=40) or the placebo group (n=40). Of the 80 patients who consented to the study, 72 completed this 12-week RCT. The primary outcome was the changes from baseline to 12 weeks in clinical characteristics and the levels of BDNF, CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α. There was a significant correlation between omega-3 fatty acid treatment and enhanced delayed memory factor in the RBANS assessment (Fgroup×time=6.82; df=1, 66; P=0.01) when the patients completed this study. Along with cognitive improvement, omega-3 fatty acids enhanced BDNF (Fgroup×time=4.93; df=1, 66; P=0.03) and reduced CRP (Fgroup×time=17.11; df=1, 66; P