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acid breakdown) versus dietary deficiencies or defective metabolic pathways on membrane
fatty acid concentration.^29 It is likely that both processes are important for the development
of a pathological state. In an uncontrolled study, dietary supplementation with
concentrated fish oil led to significant improvement in negative (alogia, flat affect,
anhedonia, apathy, motor retardation) but not positive symptoms (hallucinations,
disorganized thought) as rated by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Improvement
in clinical symptoms was related to increased levels of omega-3 essential fatty acids in the
blood.^30 Thus, it is conceivable that dietary supplementation with antioxidants and omega- 3
essential fatty acids at the initial stages of illness may prevent further oxidative injury and
thereby ameliorate and prevent further possible deterioration of associated neurological
and behavioral deficits in schizophrenia. Dr. Stoll is strongly supportive of this hypothesis.
Lake cites the studies, which are split, partially because the improvement in positive and
negative symptoms has been shown mostly in people NOT taking antipsychotics.^31
Adjunctive use studies have been inconsistent. Hibbeln and Mischoulon have suggested that
omega-3 fatty acids are less effective in schizophrenia and dementia than in depression and
bipolar disorder. 32 In Brown et al II, Mischoulon and Freemen cite the newer studies, which
concur.^33
- SUGGESTED BUT UNPROVEN USES: BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER: As to
borderline personality disorder, a use supported by Brown et al., the evidence is week, but
a 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial (albeit using only a passive placebo)
of persons with a history of self-injury found that those given omega-3 essential fatty acids
had significantly greater improvements on both the Beck Depression Inventory and the
Hamilton Rating Scale, as well as on scales measuring suicidality and stress.^34
- SUGGESTED BUT UNPROVEN USES: COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT/DEMENTIA: No adequate
study has been done of long-term use of omega-3s for prevention/treatment of cognitive
impairment or dementia. But the evidence cited by Brown et al.^35 is suggestive: Low levels
of omega-3 essential fatty acids have been found in persons with dementia and Alzheimer's
