According to Amminger et al. (2020), the multicenter, placebo-controlled trial called NEURAPRO that tested the impact of consuming long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) on 304 individuals at ultra-high risk for psychotic disorders, could not demonstrate the benefits of n-3 PUFAs over placebo because of many reasons (such as the fact that n-3 fats were also present in the diet and the participants’ body tissues). Therefore, this present study addresses these limitations by analyzing the longitudinal biomarker data of 218 NEURAPRO subjects. The researchers focused on the participants’ erythrocyte n-3 PUFAs concentrations at baseline and at month 6, as well as their clinical outcomes. The results indicated that less severe psychopathology and better functioning would follow if EPA and DHA levels increased between the assessment time points. Moreover, overall clinical improvement at months 6 and 12 could be predicted by higher EPA + DHA concentrations at baseline and by increases in these levels (baseline: adjusted odds ratio = 1.79 and 2.60 at month 6 and 12; n-3 PUFA increase: aOR = 1.43 and 1.36 at month 6 and 12). People at ultra-high risk for psychotic disorders may experience therapeutic effects from consuming n-3 PUFAs and supplementation can be easily and safely implemented in a variety of settings. These results suggest the use of fatty acids in early intervention and treatment guidelines may be warranted.
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