Use of Antioxidants and Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Schizophrenia: State of the Evidence

Dr. Ravinder D. Reddy discusses the use of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids for schizophrania.

Educational objectives:

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Discuss the rationale and evidence for the use of antioxidants in patients with schizophrenia
• Discuss what the overall evidence indicates about vitamin E for the treatment and prevention of tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenia
• Describe the rationale and evidence for the use of omega-3 fatty acids in patients with schizophrenia

Reading Resources:

1. Amminger GP, Schäfer MR, Papageorgiou K, Klier CM, Cotton SM, Harrigan SM, Mackinnon A, McGorry PD, Berger GE (2010): Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids for indicated prevention of psychotic disorders: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 67:146-54.
2. Berk M, Copolov D, Dean O, Lu K, Jeavons S, Schapkaitz I, Anderson-Hunt M, Judd F, Katz F, Katz P, Ording-Jespersen S, Little J, Conus P, Cuenod M, Do KQ, and Bush AI (2008): N-acetylcysteine as a glutathione precursor for schizophrenia: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Biol Psychiatry 64: 360–368.
3. Fusar-Poli P, Berger G (2012): Eicosapentaenoic acid interventions in schizophrenia: meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled studies. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 32:179-85.
4. Reddy R, Reddy R (2011): Antioxidant therapeutics in schizophrenia. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling 15: 2047-2055.

Disclosures:

Dr. Reddy has no relevant relationships with any entities producing health care goods or services.

Accreditation Statement:

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Each physician should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals are awarded (0.1) continuing education units (CEU) which are equivalent to 1.0 contact hour.

For your credit transcript, please access our website 4 weeks post-completion at http://ccehs.upmc.edu and follow the link to the Credit Transcript page. If you do not provide the last 5 digits of your SSN on the next page you will not be able to access a CME credit transcript. Providing your SSN is voluntary.

Release Date: 3/14/2013 | Last Modified On: 3/14/2013 | Expires: 3/14/2014