The results of an ongoing trial study, presented at the 2014 International Early Psychosis Conference in Tokyo, show that young people who took a high dose of concentrated fish oil for a period of 12 weeks were less likely to develop psychosis seven years later.
The original trial took 81 young people aged between 13 and 25 who were at a high risk of developing psychotic disorders, and over a 12 week period administered to one half of the group a daily dose of omega-3 and a placebo to the other. For 40 weeks the groups were assessed and monitored for mental health changes. After the 12 months, results showed that 2 of the 41 who took the omega-3 developed psychosis compared to 11 in the placebo group.
Now, seven years later, the research continues to demonstrate promising results by showing that 10% of those who took omega-3 transitioned to psychosis compared to 40% who took the placebo. The study also showed that the time it took to progress to psychosis was more rapid for the placebo group than it was for the omega-3 group.
Although the findings are positive, international experts including Professors Paul Amminger and Patrick McGorry of Orygen agree that more evidence is needed to confirm the results.
‘While these results are promising’ says Professor Amminger, ‘it will not be possible to make recommendations on the efficacy of omega-3 preventing transition to psychosis until the results have been confirmed in two replication trials. These trials have been completed earlier this year, and results are expected to be available in late March 2015,’ he said.
The ongoing research may have a further impact on the use of antipsychotic drugs according to Professor Amminger. ‘The finding that treatment with a natural substance may prevent, or at least delay, the onset of a psychotic disorder gives hope that there may be alternatives to antipsychotic drugs’ he said, adding ‘omega-3 fish oil preparations have the advantage of excellent tolerability, public acceptance, low cost and benefits for general health.’
‘This is an important finding that should facilitate early detection and intervention in psychosis for the benefit of young people and their families,’ he said.