title: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in adolescents with borderline personality disorder and ultra-high risk criteria for psychosis: a post hoc subgroup analysis of a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether long-chain omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) improve functioning and psychiatric symptoms in young people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) who also meet ultra-high risk criteria for psychosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a post hoc subgroup analysis of a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Fifteen adolescents with BPD (mean age 16.2 years, [SD 2.1]) were randomized to either 1.2 g/day n-3 PUFAs or placebo. The intervention period was 12 weeks. Study measures included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, and the Global Assessment of Functioning. Side effects were documented with the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser. Fatty acids in erythrocytes were analyzed using capillary gas chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, erythrocyte n-3 PUFA levels correlated positively with psychosocial functioning and negatively with psychopathology. By the end of the intervention, n-3 PUFAs significantly improved functioning and reduced psychiatric symptoms, compared with placebo. Side effects did not differ between the treatment groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-chain n-3 PUFAs should be further explored as a viable treatment strategy with minimal associated risk in young people with BPD. (
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT00396643).
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. amminger@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: G Paul
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Amminger
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chanen
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohmann
authors.forename: Claudia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Klier
authors.forename: Nilufar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mossaheb
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bechdolf
authors.forename: Barnaby
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Patrick D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: McGorry
authors.forename: Alison R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Yung
authors.forename: Miriam R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Schäfer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000074263:Coconut Oil; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D012306:Risk; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D010919:Placebos; D010938:Plant Oils; D014815:Vitamins; D014810:Vitamin E; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D000074263:Coconut Oil
keywords: adolescents; borderline personality disorder; omega-3 fatty acids; randomized controlled trial; ultra-high risk