Prevention of psychotic disorders and/or treatment of psychotic symptoms

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of preventing a psychotic disorder in a subject in need of intervention including administering to the subject a composition including EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Methods of treating pre-psychotic symptoms in a subject, including administering to the subject a composition including EPA and DHA are also included.

1 . A method of preventing a psychotic disorder in a subject including administering to the subject in need of intervention a composition including:
 EPA or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof and   DHA or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject is about 13 to about 25 years of age. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject meets the UHR criteria for developing a psychotic disorder. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to the subject for at least 12 weeks. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the EPA and DHA are present in the composition in a ratio of between 3:2 to 7:5. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition includes EPA and DHA in a concentration of more than 50% by weight of total fatty acids, preferably more than 60%. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to the subject such that the subject is administered a dosage of at least 700 mg EPA and 480 mg DHA per day. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the psychotic disorder is schizophrenia or schizotypal disorder. 
     
     
         9 . A method of preventing a psychotic disorder in a subject including the steps of:
 assessing the subject for risk of developing a psychotic disorder;   selecting subjects that meet the Ultra High Risk criteria for developing a psychotic disorder; and   administering to the selected subject a composition including EPA and DHA.