A new category of psychotropic drugs: neuroactive lipids as exemplified by ethyl eicosapentaenoate (E-E).
New treatments for psychiatric disorders are urgently required. Recent reviews show that there have been no improvements in efficacy of drugs for either affective disorders or schizophrenia since the first compounds were introduced over 40 years ago. Neuroactive lipids represent an entirely novel class of psychotropic compounds. Ethyl eicosapentaenoate is the first example of this group. Placebo-controlled studies have found it to be effective in depression, in treatment-unresponsive schizophrenia and in tardive dyskinesia. It is extremely well tolerated with none of the usual side-effects of either antidepressants or neuroleptics. It probably works by modulating postreceptor signal transduction processes.
Horrobin
David F
DF
Laxdale Ltd., Kings Park House, Laurelhill Business Park, Stirling, FK7 9JQ Scotland. agreen@laxdale.co.uk
D000818:Animals; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000145:classification / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000145:classification* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000145:classification* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods
D008055:Lipids; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; C035276:eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid