For years, researchers have been encouraged by evidence from a small, single-center trial that suggested omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) might reduce the risk of onset and improve outcomes in patients at ultrahigh risk (UHR) for psychosis. The results of a multicenter study published today in JAMA Psychiatry now suggest omega-3s may be no better than placebo at preventing psychosis, reducing symptoms, or improving function in UHR patients.
“Although ω-3 PUFAs were well tolerated, they did not demonstrate an advantage over placebo in the prevention of psychosis at 6- or 12-month follow-up evaluations,” Patrick McGorry, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Melbourne and colleagues wrote. “Secondary outcome measures of psychiatric symptoms and functioning tended to favor the placebo group.”