Red cell membrane omega-3 fatty acids are decreased in nondepressed patients with social anxiety disorder

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• 作者：Pnina Green ; Haggai Hermesh ; Assaf Monselise ; Sofi Marom ; Gadi Presburger and Abraham Weizman
• 关键词：Social anxiety disorder ; Social phobia ; Polyunsaturated fatty acids ; Omega-3 fatty acids ; Red blood cells ; Erythrocytes
• 刊名：European Neuropsychopharmacology
• 出版年：2006
• 出版时间：February 2006
• 年：2006
• 卷：16
• 期：2
• 页码：107-113
• 全文大小：125 K

文摘

The “phospholipid hypothesis” attributes a pathophysiologic role to the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition of phospholipids in depression. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the hypothesis is relevant to social anxiety disorder (SAD). The study sample consisted of 27 untreated, nondepressed patients with SAD (DSM-IV) and 22 controls. Severity of SAD was assessed with the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Erythrocyte PUFA concentrations were measured by gas–liquid chromatography. Concentrations of most n-3 PUFAs were lower in the patients: 18 : 3n-3 by 32 % (p < 0.002), 20 : 3n-3 by 34 % , 20 : 5n-3 by 36 % (all p < 0.001) and 22 : 6n-3 by 18 % (p = 0.002). No significant differences were observed in other fatty acids. Significant inverse correlations were obtained between levels of n-3 PUFAs and LSAS scores. In conclusion, the phospholipid hypothesis may apply to SAD, thereby opening new therapeutic options. The robust relationship between low erythrocyte n-3 PUFA concentrations and SAD justifies exploration of relevant neuropathophysiological mechanisms.