White matter integrity in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis: a systematic review and discussion of the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids

Nandita Vijayakumar; Cali Bartholomeusz; Thomas Whitford; Daniel F Hermens; Barnaby Nelson; Simon Rice; Sarah Whittle; Christos Pantelis; Patrick McGorry; Miriam R Schafer; G Paul Amminger

Journal article

White matter integrity in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis: a systematic review and discussion of the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids

Nandita Vijayakumar, Cali Bartholomeusz, Thomas Whitford, Daniel F Hermens, Barnaby Nelson, Simon Rice, Sarah Whittle, Christos Pantelis, Patrick McGorry, Miriam R Schafer, G Paul Amminger

BMC PSYCHIATRY | BMC | Published : 2016

DOI: 10.1186/s12888-016-0932-4

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is thought to be a neurodevelopmental disorder with pathophysiological processes beginning in the brain prior to the emergence of clinical symptoms. Recent evidence from neuroimaging studies using techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging has identified white matter abnormalities that are suggestive of disrupted brain myelination and neuronal connectivity. Identifying whether such effects exist in individuals at high risk for developing psychosis may help with prevention and early intervention strategies. In addition, there is preliminary evidence for a role of lipid biology in the onset of psychosis, along with well-established evidence of its role in myelination..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Sarah Whittle Author Psychiatry

Paul Amminger Author Centre for Youth Mental Health

Christos Pantelis Author Psychiatry

Cali Bartholomeusz Author Centre for Youth Mental Health

Simon Rice Author Centre for Youth Mental Health

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Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC)

Awarded by NHMRC

Awarded by NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence grant

Funding Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC Project Grant ID: 1067040; Program Grant ID: 566529). Paul Amminger was supported by NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (ID: 1080963). Christos Pantelis and Patrick McGorry were supported by NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellowships (IDs: 628386/1105825; 1060996). Barnaby Nelson and Sarah Whittle were supported by NHMRC Career Development Fellowships (IDs: 1027532; 1007716). Daniel Hermens was supported by NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence grant (ID: 1061043), and Simon Rice was supported by an Early Career Fellowship from the Society of Mental Health Research.