Essential fatty acids and Barratt impulsivity in gambling disorder
Abstract Background Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been long implicated in the etiopathogenesis of mental illnesses, including disorders characterized by high impulsivity. The objective of most of the studies in this field is to determine the effect of omega-3 supplementation on the impulsi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-020-02496-1 |
| _version_ | 1819035558187368448 |
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| author | Patricia Sanchez-Paez Josefa Perez-Templado Jeronimo Saiz-Ruiz Oscar Pastor Angela Ibañez |
| author_facet | Patricia Sanchez-Paez Josefa Perez-Templado Jeronimo Saiz-Ruiz Oscar Pastor Angela Ibañez |
| author_sort | Patricia Sanchez-Paez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been long implicated in the etiopathogenesis of mental illnesses, including disorders characterized by high impulsivity. The objective of most of the studies in this field is to determine the effect of omega-3 supplementation on the impulsive symptoms. In contrast, studies analyzing basal PUFA composition in patients with impulsive behaviors are very scarce, results are not yet conclusive, and to date, no publication has specifically evaluated this in gambling disorder. Therefore, the main purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between basal PUFA composition of plasma and erythrocyte membrane and impulsivity in subjects with gambling disorder. Methods It is an observational and cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of fifty-five men with gambling disorder, who voluntarily accepted to participate. Basal composition of PUFA in plasma and erythrocyte membrane was assessed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Trait impulsivity was measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11 (BIS-11). Results Arachidonic acid (AA)/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ratio in the erythrocyte membrane was negatively correlated with total scores in BIS-11. It was also observed that impulsive gamblers had a higher proportion of EPA and a lower value of AA/EPA and AA/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ratio in erythrocyte membrane than non-impulsive gamblers. Conclusions These results support the hypothesis that alteration of basal PUFA composition exists in disorders characterized by high impulsivity, although the direction of this is still unknown. Unfortunately, the empirical literature on this field is non-existent at the time and we have no direct means to support or refute these outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the relationship between essential fatty acids and disorders characterized by high impulsivity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T07:51:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9811d14e2b73426a9006cfccb95c2daf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T07:51:32Z |
| publishDate | 2020-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-9811d14e2b73426a9006cfccb95c2daf2022-12-21T19:11:04ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2020-03-012011910.1186/s12888-020-02496-1Essential fatty acids and Barratt impulsivity in gambling disorderPatricia Sanchez-Paez0Josefa Perez-Templado1Jeronimo Saiz-Ruiz2Oscar Pastor3Angela Ibañez4Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario Ramon y CajalDepartment of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario Ramon y CajalDepartment of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario Ramon y CajalInstituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigacion Sanitaria (IRyCIS)Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario Ramon y CajalAbstract Background Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been long implicated in the etiopathogenesis of mental illnesses, including disorders characterized by high impulsivity. The objective of most of the studies in this field is to determine the effect of omega-3 supplementation on the impulsive symptoms. In contrast, studies analyzing basal PUFA composition in patients with impulsive behaviors are very scarce, results are not yet conclusive, and to date, no publication has specifically evaluated this in gambling disorder. Therefore, the main purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between basal PUFA composition of plasma and erythrocyte membrane and impulsivity in subjects with gambling disorder. Methods It is an observational and cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of fifty-five men with gambling disorder, who voluntarily accepted to participate. Basal composition of PUFA in plasma and erythrocyte membrane was assessed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Trait impulsivity was measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11 (BIS-11). Results Arachidonic acid (AA)/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ratio in the erythrocyte membrane was negatively correlated with total scores in BIS-11. It was also observed that impulsive gamblers had a higher proportion of EPA and a lower value of AA/EPA and AA/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ratio in erythrocyte membrane than non-impulsive gamblers. Conclusions These results support the hypothesis that alteration of basal PUFA composition exists in disorders characterized by high impulsivity, although the direction of this is still unknown. Unfortunately, the empirical literature on this field is non-existent at the time and we have no direct means to support or refute these outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the relationship between essential fatty acids and disorders characterized by high impulsivity.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-020-02496-1Gambling disorderImpulsivityBarrattEssential fatty acidsPolyunsaturated fatty acidsOmega-3 |
| spellingShingle | Patricia Sanchez-Paez Josefa Perez-Templado Jeronimo Saiz-Ruiz Oscar Pastor Angela Ibañez Essential fatty acids and Barratt impulsivity in gambling disorder BMC Psychiatry Gambling disorder Impulsivity Barratt Essential fatty acids Polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega-3 |
| title | Essential fatty acids and Barratt impulsivity in gambling disorder |
| title_full | Essential fatty acids and Barratt impulsivity in gambling disorder |
| title_fullStr | Essential fatty acids and Barratt impulsivity in gambling disorder |
| title_full_unstemmed | Essential fatty acids and Barratt impulsivity in gambling disorder |
| title_short | Essential fatty acids and Barratt impulsivity in gambling disorder |
| title_sort | essential fatty acids and barratt impulsivity in gambling disorder |
| topic | Gambling disorder Impulsivity Barratt Essential fatty acids Polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega-3 |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-020-02496-1 |
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