Review article

https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2020.55

PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE CONTAINING LONG CHAIN OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS: A TREATMENT ADJUNCT FOR PATIENTS WITH ANOREXIA NERVOSA?

Olivia Patsalos orcid.org/0000-0001-7867-5110 ; Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Theodoros Mavrogiannidis orcid.org/0000-0002-5878-3066 ; Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom; School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Bethan Dalton orcid.org/0000-0003-0898-1926 ; Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Catherine J. Field ; Department of Agricultural Food and Nutritional Science, Faculty of Agricultural Life and Environmental Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Hubertus Himmerich orcid.org/0000-0003-1209-6073 ; Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious mental disorder with a high mortality rate and often a chronic course. In
contrast to many other common mental disorders, there is no drug therapy approved for AN.
Methods: We performed a narrative literature review to consider whether a choline-containing molecule, such as phosphatidylcholine (PC), with an omega (ω)-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) could be a potential future medicinal treatment for AN.
Results: Choline and LCPUFAs have individually shown benefit for mental health. Case series and pilot studies suggest ω -3
LCPUFAs may be effective in eating disorders. However, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic considerations suggest a greater benefit from the combination of both components.
Conclusion: The combination of a choline-containing molecule with an ω-3 LCPUFA may be clinically effective and well
tolerated. This idea is supported by the current literature on the role of inflammation, the microbiome, the gut-brain-axis, hormonal, neurotransmitter and intracellular signalling, and on the structure and fluidity of nerve cells membranes in patients with AN.

Keywords

omega-3 fatty acids; choline; phosphatidylcholine; cytokines; anorexia nervosa

Hrčak ID:

237036

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/237036

Publication date:

16.4.2020.

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