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Tailoring Adjunct Glycine Therapy In Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,353.00
Summary
‘Glycine’ is an amino acid that can be purchased ‘over the counter’ at health food shops in Australia. Although traditionally administered as a dietary supplement, recently there has been considerable excitement in the psychiatric community due to its ability to improve schizophrenia symptoms when administered in conjunction with mainstream medications. However, two issues need to be resolved in order for glycine to be employed as a routine therapy in schizophrenia. Firstly, this treatment is on ....‘Glycine’ is an amino acid that can be purchased ‘over the counter’ at health food shops in Australia. Although traditionally administered as a dietary supplement, recently there has been considerable excitement in the psychiatric community due to its ability to improve schizophrenia symptoms when administered in conjunction with mainstream medications. However, two issues need to be resolved in order for glycine to be employed as a routine therapy in schizophrenia. Firstly, this treatment is only effective in some patients, and we have no way of determining which patients will benefit from glycine. Secondly, there are both theoretical reasons and experimental evidence that glycine administration can cause severe impairment for some individuals. Thus although there is great potential for glycine to ease the burden of schizophrenia symptoms, these two issues need to be resolved before this possibility can be actualised. Theoretical considerations, supported by pilot research of the investigators, point to the view that schizophrenia patients’ baseline glycine level is the critical factor that determines whether a patient will benefit or be impaired by glycine therapy. This thesis offers a testable means with which to resolve the above limitations to the use of glycine. The purpose of the current research program is thus to provide the basis for rational prescription of glycine as an additional therapeutic tool in schizophrenia.Read moreRead less
RCT Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids As Treatment Of Subthreshold Symptoms In Young People At Ultra-high Risk For
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$280,102.00
Summary
Omega-3 fats are a type of polyunsaturated fat which has long been thought to be beneficial for health. The body cannot make its own omega-3 fats - they must be taken in through the diet, or in supplement form. Large population-based studies have suggested that a diet rich in omega-3 fats can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure, cut the risk of cancers such as prostate and skin. The fats have also been touted as a treatment for arthritis, asthma, and inflamed bowels. ....Omega-3 fats are a type of polyunsaturated fat which has long been thought to be beneficial for health. The body cannot make its own omega-3 fats - they must be taken in through the diet, or in supplement form. Large population-based studies have suggested that a diet rich in omega-3 fats can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure, cut the risk of cancers such as prostate and skin. The fats have also been touted as a treatment for arthritis, asthma, and inflamed bowels. A lack of omega-3s during foetal development can hinder brain and eye development. Other work has suggested that a diet rich in omega-3 may help improve mental health. Studies revealed beneficial effects in a broad range of mental health problems including violent and aggressive behaviour in teenagers, major depression, bipolar affective disorder, borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia. Evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may reduce symptoms in schizophrenia and other major psychiatric disorders make omega-3 fatty acids an optimal candidate for further evaluation of its therapeutic efficacy, in particular in young people in early illness stages of psychosis where specific intervention is controversial due to potential risks and medication side-effects. The proposed 12-week intervention study aims to establish a new treatment strategy alternative to antipsychotic medication in the young people with subthreshold symptoms at high risk for psychosis. Omega-3 fatty acids have no clinically relevant side effects which often accompany therapy with antipsychotics (such as diabetes and weight gain). A widely available, easy applicable, biological treatment without clinically relevant side effects could help to improve compliance and outcome in psychosis. Schizophrenia is often prolonged and results in a considerable economic burden. Early treatment has the potential to offset future costs to both mental health providers and the recipients of these services.Read moreRead less