Omega-3 status and cerebrospinal fluid corticotrophin releasing hormone in perpetrators of domestic violence.
BACKGROUND
Elevated levels of corticotrophin-releasing hormone in the cortical-hippocampal-amygdala pathway increase fear and anxiety, which are components of defensive and violent behaviors. Prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha, which increase corticotrophin-releasing hormone RNA expression in this pathway, are reduced by dietary intakes of omega-3 fats.


METHODS
Among 21 perpetrators of domestic violence, cerebrospinal fluid and plasma were assessed for corticotrophin-releasing hormone and fatty acid compositions, respectively.


RESULTS
Lower plasma docosahexaenoic acid (wt% fatty acids) alone predicted greater cerebrospinal fluid corticotrophin-releasing hormone (pg/mL), in exponential (r = -.67, p < .006) and linear regressions (r = -0.68, p < .003 excluding four subjects with the highest docosahexaenate levels).


CONCLUSIONS
In this small observational study, low plasma docosahexaenoic acid levels were correlated to higher cerebrospinal fluid corticotrophin-releasing hormone levels. Placebo controlled trials can determine if dietary omega-3 fatty acids can reduce excessive corticotrophin-releasing hormone levels in psychiatric illnesses.
Hibbeln
Joseph R
JR
Laboratory of Membrane Biophysics and Biochemistry, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. jhibbeln@mail.nih.gov
Bissette
Garth
G
Umhau
John C
JC
George
David T
DT
D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D019548:Crime Victims; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D017579:Domestic Violence; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D012043:Regression, Psychology
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone