Erythrocyte Membrane Fatty Acid Concentrations and Myelin Integrity in Young People at Ultra-High Risk of Psychosis

多不饱和脂肪酸（PUFAs）在所有生物体的许多生理过程中起着重要作用。髓鞘形成是一个脂肪层，称为髓鞘，在神经细胞周围积累的过程，使神经细胞能够更快地传递信息。多不饱和脂肪酸是髓鞘形成所必需的，有证据表明精神分裂症患者的多不饱和脂肪酸浓度和脑白色物质（髓鞘）病理学降低。这些异常的机制尚不清楚。

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play an important role in many physiological processes in all organisms. Myelination is the process by which a fatty layer, called myelin, accumulates around nerve cells enabling nerve cells to transmit information faster. PUFAs are essential for myelination, and there is evidence documenting decreased PUFA concentrations and brain white matter (myelin) pathology in people with schizophrenia. The mechanisms underlying these abnormalities are not understood.