Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on cognitive functioning in youth at ultra-high risk for psychosis: secondary analysis of the NEURAPRO randomised controlled trial

Background Cognitive impairments are well-established features of psychotic disorders and are present when individuals are at ultra-high risk for psychosis. However, few interventions target cognitive functioning in this population. Aims To investigate whether omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplementation improves cognitive functioning among individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis. Method Data (N = 225) from an international, multi-site, randomised controlled trial (NEURAPRO) were analysed. Participants were given omega-3 supplementation (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) or placebo over 6 months. Cognitive functioning was assessed with the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). Mixed two-way analyses of variance were computed to compare the change in cognitive performance between omega-3 supplementation and placebo over 6 months. An additional biomarker analysis explored whether change in erythrocyte n-3 PUFA levels predicted change in cognitive performance. Results The placebo group showed a modest greater improvement over time than the omega-3 supplementation group for motor speed (eta(2)(p) = 0.09) and BACS composite score (eta(2)(p) = 0.21). After repeating the analyses without individuals who transitioned, motor speed was no longer significant (eta(2)(p) = 0.02), but the composite score remained significant (eta(2)(p) = 0.02). Change in erythrocyte n-3 PUFA levels did not predict change in cognitive performance over 6 months. Conclusions We found no evidence to support the use of omega-3 supplementation to improve cognitive functioning in ultra-high risk individuals. The biomarker analysis suggests that this finding is unlikely to be attributed to poor adherence or consumption of non-trial n-3 PUFAs.

Automated summary

This study investigated whether omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplementation improves cognitive functioning in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis. Results showed that there was no evidence to support the use of omega-3 supplementation to improve cognitive functioning in this population. Biomarker analysis suggested that poor adherence or consumption of non-trial n-3 PUFAs was unlikely to be the cause of the findings.