In this 1 hour presentation, a deeper unstinting of why crime prevention must incorporate evolutionary theory. Humans are the principle predator of humans, and the principle source of safety. This talk outlines several clear strategies with large preventive effects.

1. Evidence-Base Crime Prevention
Dennis D. Embry, Ph.D.,president/senior scientist, PAXIS Institute
Co-investigator, Johns Hopkins Center for Prevention & Early Intervention
Scientific advisor, Healthy Child Manitoba,
Co-Investigator, School of Medicine, Yale University

2. What if…crime in Canada could
be reduce by 50% in a decade?

3. The anatomy of stopping a
past epidemic…

4. Psychological flexibility is required…

5. What if we think about crime as an artifact of
evolution…instead from a cage of past ideas?

6. Every species has a Fearsome predator…

7. The first
capital
crime…
…and Cain rose up
and slew Abel

8. Humans have been the principle predator of other
humans since the invention of stone tools…

9. Three evolutionary
mechanism for today’s
mental gymnastics for
heartfelt & principled
prevention of crime…
Epigensis
Evolutionary Mismatches
Evolutionary Bottlenecks

10. Friend Foe
“Us” “Them”
The principal source of safety of humans has been
other humans…

11. Selection by Consequences –
A Meta-Theory with a Fractal Pattern
A Fractal is a repeated Selection Level Consequences
pattern at many levels Selection of Genes
Genes
Evolution of species
Cells
Epigensis
Bodies
Individual Behaviors Wiring of neurons
Group Behaviors Human development
Organizational Actions Selection of behaviors
Language Reproductive behaviors
Economies Behavioral economics
Species Groups Organization behavior
Language /Cultural evolution

12. Social Biological
Epigenesis Environmental Inputs Genesis
Nurturing or Toxic
Epigenetics are Environments, These
heritable Disease, or polygenes
Threats
changes in can be
gene expression “added”,
caused by “subtracted”,
M
mechanisms g “divided”, or
or
lin
Phosphorlyation
ph
other than “multiplied.”
na
og
Acetylation
Sig
en
changes in the Methylation
sis
underlying DNA Histone Remodeling
Chromatin Stucture Changes
sequence.
Development Immunity Stem Cell Changes Imprinting
These changes Parent,
can pass Three 1st Generation
through multiple Generation Baby,
2nd Generation
Effects
generations.
Reproductive Cells,
3rd Generation

14. Evolutionary
Mismatch

15. Original 1491 AD
Human
Migrations to
North America
30,000,000
≈ Souls in ≈ 300,000 Souls
North America
Evolutionary bottleneck

16. Original 1491 AD
Human
Migrations to
North America
30,000,000 8th
≈ Souls in ≈ 300,000 Souls Fire
North America
Evolutionary bottleneck

17. Audited Life Path of a Male Convicted Criminal , “Billy”
Age 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26
Birth
ADHD ODD A/D A/D A/D A/D A/D A/D A/D
DSM IV TS CD SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
Labels depression
anxiety
Self-Rep. Likes Stole Binge Daily Meth & IV
Violent TV Cigarettes Drinking Marijuana Other Drugs Use
School SD SD LD LD LD SED Dropout
Labels
Medical Prenatal Unintentional Injuries Sexually Serious Hepatitis C
Smoking Ashtma Transmitted Car Crash
Notes & Intentional Diseases Gunshot
Low Birth Weight
Bio Fussy,Irritable
Injuries at
Fathers
Wound
Fathers
School
Markers Mom is 16.5 years old Underactive Child Child
Low omega-3 Beh. Inhibition Reduced Prefontal Function
Serotonin System Lower Resting Heart Rate Case study
Police Mom DV
Records Has
Abused Assault
Calls by Mom's at School Theft
Various Drug sales; Armed
Felony Assault Robbery
from Reclaim-
Multiple Live-in Witness Complaints; ing Wyoming
Offenses Homicde Truancy
Blueprint by
Legend Embry and
ADHD = Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder SA = Substance Abuse
TS = Tourette's Syndrome (tics diagnosed) SD = Speech Delay Rodgers, 2002,
ODD
A/D
=
=
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Antisocial Personality Disorder
LD
SED
=
=
Learning Disabilityr
Severe Emotional Disorder
for Wyoming
CD = Conduct Disorder Legislature

18. Audited Life Path of a Male Convicted Criminal , “Billy”
When could this path
Age 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26
have been altered
Birth
based on scientific
ADHD ODD A/D A/D A/D A/D A/D A/D A/D
evidence?
DSM IV TS CD SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
Labels depression
anxiety
Self-Rep. Likes Stole Binge Daily Meth & IV
Violent TV Cigarettes Drinking Marijuana Other Drugs Use
School SD SD LD LD LD SED Dropout
Labels
Medical Prenatal Unintentional Injuries Sexually Serious Hepatitis C
Smoking Ashtma Transmitted Car Crash
Notes & Intentional Diseases Gunshot
Low Birth Weight
Bio Fussy,Irritable
Injuries at
Fathers
Wound
Fathers
School
Markers Mom is 16.5 years old Underactive Child Child
Low omega-3 Beh. Inhibition Reduced Prefontal Function
Serotonin System Lower Resting Heart Rate Case study
Police Mom DV
Records Has
Abused Assault
Calls by Mom's at School Theft
Various Drug sales; Armed
Felony Assault Robbery
from Reclaim-
Multiple Live-in Witness Complaints; ing Wyoming
Offenses Homicde Truancy
Blueprint by
Legend Embry and
ADHD = Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder SA = Substance Abuse
TS = Tourette's Syndrome (tics diagnosed) SD = Speech Delay Rodgers, 2002,
ODD
A/D
=
=
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Antisocial Personality Disorder
LD
SED
=
=
Learning Disabilityr
Severe Emotional Disorder
for Wyoming
CD = Conduct Disorder Legislature

19. Audited Life Path of a Male Convicted Criminal , “Billy”
When could this path
Age 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26
have been altered
Birth
based on scientific
ADHD ODD A/D A/D A/D A/D A/D A/D A/D
evidence?
DSM IV TS CD SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
Labels depression
anxiety
Self-Rep. Likes Stole
Violent TV Cigarettes
Binge
Drinking
Daily
Marijuana
Meth & IV
Other Drugs Use What is the cost of
human suffering to
School SD SD LD LD LD SED Dropout
Labels
Medical
Notes &
Prenatal Unintentional Injuries
Smoking Ashtma
Sexually Serious
Transmitted Car Crash
Hepatitis C
this family, victims,
Intentional
and society?
Low Birth Weight Diseases Gunshot
Bio Fussy,Irritable
Injuries at
Fathers
Wound
Fathers
School
Markers Mom is 16.5 years old Underactive Child Child
Low omega-3 Beh. Inhibition Reduced Prefontal Function
Serotonin System Lower Resting Heart Rate Case study
Police Mom DV
Records Has
Abused Assault
Calls by Mom's at School Theft
Various Drug sales; Armed
Felony Assault Robbery
from Reclaim-
Multiple Live-in Witness Complaints; ing Wyoming
Offenses Homicde Truancy
Blueprint by
Legend Embry and
ADHD = Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder SA = Substance Abuse
TS = Tourette's Syndrome (tics diagnosed) SD = Speech Delay Rodgers, 2002,
ODD
A/D
=
=
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Antisocial Personality Disorder
LD
SED
=
=
Learning Disabilityr
Severe Emotional Disorder
for Wyoming
CD = Conduct Disorder Legislature

20. Audited Life Path of a Male Convicted Criminal , “Billy”
When could this path
Age 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26
have been altered
Birth
based on scientific
ADHD ODD A/D A/D A/D A/D A/D A/D A/D
evidence?
DSM IV TS CD SA SA SA SA SA SA SA
Labels depression
anxiety
Self-Rep. Likes Stole
Violent TV Cigarettes
Binge
Drinking
Daily
Marijuana
Meth & IV
Other Drugs Use What is the cost of
human suffering to
School SD SD LD LD LD SED Dropout
Labels
Medical
Notes &
Prenatal Unintentional Injuries
Smoking Ashtma
Sexually Serious
Transmitted Car Crash
Hepatitis C
this family, victims,
Intentional
and society?
Low Birth Weight Diseases Gunshot
Bio Fussy,Irritable
Injuries at
Fathers
Wound
Fathers
School
Markers Mom is 16.5 years old Underactive Child Child
Low omega-3 Beh. Inhibition Reduced Prefontal Function
Serotonin System Lower Resting Heart Rate Case study
Police Mom DV Abused Assault Various Drug sales; Armed from Reclaim-
What are the costs of
Records Has Calls by Mom's at School Theft Felony Assault Robbery
Multiple Live-in Witness Complaints; ing Wyoming
Offenses Homicde Truancy
Blueprint by
ADHD =
Legend
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder SA = Substance Abuse
Embry and evidence-based
TS
ODD
=
=
Tourette's Syndrome (tics diagnosed)
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
SD
LD
=
=
Speech Delay
Learning Disabilityr
Rodgers, 2002,
for Wyoming
practices to avert?
A/D = Antisocial Personality Disorder SED = Severe Emotional Disorder
CD = Conduct Disorder Legislature

21. If modern society is to flourish for all,
we must alter the predator-prey
relationships between human groups.
This means fewer humans as prey,
This means fewer humans as predators;
This means more humans as cooperators.

22. Whether the talon, claw or weapon
carries human rank or authority
matters not to the blind engine of evolution
when trying to suppress one group of
humans in favor of another.
Life finds a way.

23. Hypothesis: Evolutionary “inflammatory” processes

24. Redness, rubor, a response of body
tissues to injury or irritation; characterized
by pain and swelling and redness and
heat.
Excitation, excitement, fervor, fervour the
state of being emotionally aroused and
worked up
Inflaming arousal to violent emotion
Firing, ignition, kindling, lighting
Hypothesis: Evolutionary “inflammatory” processes

25. Human Infectious/Biological Threats Human Predatory Threats
Evolutionary Adaptive Responses Evolutionary Adaptive Responses
(Simplified) Neuro-Hormones (Simplified)
Mood
Modulators
Reward Threat Attributional
Delay Intra-Group
Generalized Localized Modulators Affiliation Bias (Inflammatory)
Inflammatory Inflammatory (Anti-Inflammatory)
Out-Group
Response Response Stress
Aggress. (Inflammatory)
Modulators Intra-Group
Cooperation Tit-for-Tat Beh. Bias
Anti-Inflammatory Regulators Puberty/Sex (Anti-Inflammatory)
Modulators (Inflammatory)

26. Evolutionary Path
of a Child’s Life

27. K R
Path Path
Evolutionary Path
of a Child’s Life
Probability of short-life and
Probability of long-life and doubtful reproductive success
reproductive success

28. Obesity
Conduct
Disorders
Homicide
& Suicide
Early Sex
Early
Pregnancy
Addictions
Aggression
Asthma
Disabilities
R PATH = risky adolescence, predator and prey

29. Multi-Inflammatory Brain & Body Response
Major Connected Ecologic Causes of the Adverse Trends Predicting MEBs & Related Illnesses
Reinforcement Antecedents Physiological Verbal Relations
more for anti-social cue anti-social influences trigger occasion perceived
than prosocial acts and threats adverse biological threats and related
behaviors mechanisms reactions

30. Mood Lo Reward Lo Executive Lo Behavioral
Inattention Delay Function
Instability Competencies
Poor Immune-
Motor Healing
Skills Multi-Inflammatory Brain & Body Response Dysfunction
Major Connected Ecologic Causes of the Adverse Trends Predicting MEBs & Related Illnesses
Reinforcement Antecedents Physiological Verbal Relations
more for anti-social cue anti-social influences trigger occasion perceived
than prosocial acts and threats adverse biological threats and related
behaviors mechanisms reactions

31. Substance Work Obesity,
Early Mental Illness Violence Cancer School
Abuse Problems etc
Sex Failure
Mood Lo Reward Lo Executive Lo Behavioral
Inattention Delay Function
Instability Competencies
Poor Immune-
STD’s Motor Healing Special
Skills Multi-Inflammatory Brain & Body Response Dysfunction Ed
Major Connected Ecologic Causes of the Adverse Trends Predicting MEBs & Related Illnesses
Reinforcement Antecedents Physiological Verbal Relations
more for anti-social cue anti-social influences trigger occasion perceived
than prosocial acts and threats adverse biological threats and related
behaviors mechanisms reactions

32. Evolutionary Mismatches Evolutionary Consequences
Change in Increased
Genes Cancer
Rise in Increased
Obesity
Autism
Rates
Rise in Rise in ATOD
Addictions Increased
Depression Aggression
Rates Rates
Schizo.
New cultural trends predict new challenges and risks

33. Evolutionary Mismatches Evolutionary Consequences
Change in Increased
Genes Cancer
Lower Rates Rise in Increased
of Positive Obesity
Reinforcement Autism
Rates
Rise in Rise in ATOD
Addictions Increased
Depression Aggression
Rates Rates
Schizo.
New cultural trends predict new challenges and risks

34. Evolutionary Mismatches Evolutionary Consequences
Fear of Reduced
Violence & Outdoor
Vitamin D Change in Increased
Deficiency Genes
Crime Activities Cancer
Increased Lower Rates Rise in Increased
Electronic of Positive Obesity
Media Use Reinforcement Autism
Rates
Rise in Rise in ATOD
Omega 3 Addictions Increased
Fatty Acid Depression Aggression
Deficiency Rates Rates
Schizo.
New cultural trends predict new challenges and risks

35. Inukshuk points the way

36. Apparent consumption ofl inoleic acid (% of dietary energy) among
Australia, Canada, UK and USA for the years 1961–2000
10 Australia Canada UK USA
Apparent consumption of linoleic acid
9
8
7
(% energy)
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
Evolution Neonates Breast Milk “Risky” Beh.
In the Rife Valley, the Successful human American infants have Almost all adolescent
human brain neonates born with been getting steadily risky behaviors have
evolution the result of 60-day supply of less omega-3 (n3) and now been documented
eating fish high in omega-3 in more pro-inflammatory to be related to low n3
omega-3 not subcutaneous fat omega-6 (n6) in breast and high n6 in US diet
savannah animals from mother’s diet milk change in last 50 years
See Broadhurst, Cunnane, & See HIbbeln et al. (2007).Maternal See Ailhaud et al. (2006).Temporal
Crawford (1998). Rift Valley lake seafood consumption in pregnancy changes in dietary fats: Role of n6
fish and shellfish provided brain- and neurodevelopmental outcomes in polyunsaturated fatty acids in Hibbeln et al. (2006). Healthy intakes
specific nutrition for childhood (ALSPAC study): an excessive adipose tissue of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids: estimations
early Homo observational cohort study development and relationship to considering worldwide diversity.
obesity
Physiological Adaptation

38. Increasing Mismatch Causes Homicides
Homicide Rate
10
8
6
4
United 2000
Kingdom
2
1961
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Lo Hi
Omega 3 Deficiency

39. Increasing Mismatch Causes Homicides
Homicide Rate
10
8
6
4
United 2000
2000
1961
Kingdom Canada
2
1961
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Lo Hi
Omega 3 Deficiency

40. Increasing Mismatch Causes Homicides
Homicide Rate
10
8
6
4
United 2000
2000
1961
Kingdom Canada
2
2000
1961
1961 Australia
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Lo Hi
Omega 3 Deficiency

41. Increasing Mismatch Causes Homicides
Homicide Rate
10
8
6 1988
4 1961 Argentina
United 2000
2000
1961
Kingdom Canada
2
2000
1961
1961 Australia
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Lo Hi
Omega 3 Deficiency

42. Increasing Mismatch Causes Homicides
Homicide Rate
1985
10
United
8 States
6 1988 1999
1961
4 1961 Argentina
United 2000
2000
1961
Kingdom Canada
2
2000
1961
1961 Australia
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Lo Hi
Omega 3 Deficiency

44. An ancient inukshuk points the
way
Brief Report
30%
Percentage with Psychosis at 12 months
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Treatment of Women
Physiological
27.5%
With Borderline Personality Disorder:
Kernel A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study
24%
Mary C. Zanarini, Ed.D. Results: Twenty subjects were randomly assigned to 1 g of E-
Frances R. Frankenburg, M.D. EPA; 10 subjects were given placebo. Ninety percent of those in
both groups completed all 8 weeks of the trial. Analyses that
Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effi- used random-effects regression modeling and controlled for
cacy of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid (E-EPA) and placebo in the baseline severity showed E-EPA to be superior to placebo in
treatment of female subjects with borderline personality disorder.
Method: The authors conducted an 8-week, placebo-con-
diminishing aggression as well as the severity of depressive
symptoms. 18%
trolled, double-blind study of E-EPA in 30 female subjects meet- Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that E-EPA may
ing Revised Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines and DSM-IV cri- be a safe and effective form of monotherapy for women with
teria for borderline personality disorder. moderately severe borderline personality disorder.
Changes (Am J Psychiatry 2003; 160:167–169)
12%
biochemistry of B orderline personality disorder is marked by notable
reactivity of mood and impulsive aggression. Because re-
week, were actively abusing alcohol or drugs, or were acutely sui-
cidal.
behavior sponse to antidepressants and mood stabilizers has typi-
cally been clinically modest in this patient group (1), the
Subjects were next invited to participate in face-to-face inter-
views. At that time, the study procedures were fully explained,
and written informed consent was obtained. Two semistructured 6%
identification of novel treatments is needed. Candidates diagnostic interviews were then administered to each subject: the
4.9%
include omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (6) and
acid and docosahexaenoic acid, which are commonly the Revised Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines (DIB-R) (7). Two
observer-rated scales were also administered: the Modified Overt
found in seafood and have beneficial effects and none of Aggression Scale (8) and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression
the adverse side effects commonly associated with phar- Rating Scale (9).
macotherapy. In cross-national studies, greater seafood
consumption was associated with lower rates of bipolar
Subjects were included if they met both DIB-R and DSM-IV cri-
teria for borderline personality disorder. They were excluded if
0%
disorder (30-fold range) and major depression (50-fold
range) (2). In placebo-controlled trials, a mixture of these
they met current or lifetime criteria for schizophrenia, schizoaf-
fective disorder, or bipolar I or bipolar II disorder or were cur- Omega-3 Placeo
rently in the midst of a major depressive episode.
fatty acids was found to be an effective adjunctive agent
for patients suffering from bipolar disorder (3), and ethyl-
Study duration was 8 weeks. Subjects were seen every week for
the first month and then biweekly for the next month. Both psy- Psychosis
eicosapentaenoic acid (E-EPA) was found to have a bene- chiatric rating scales were readministered at each subsequent
visit. Side effects were also assessed at these visits with a struc-
ficial adjunctive effect for patients suffering from recur-
tured questionnaire.
rent depression (4). Because of the shared symptoms of Subjects received two capsules per day (beginning the day after
Source: Am. Journal of Psychiatry Source: Archives of General Psychiatry
borderline personality disorder and these mood disorders, their baseline assessment); each capsule contained either 500 mg
a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of E-EPA seemed of 97% E-EPA or a placebo (mineral oil). One gram was chosen as
warranted. the dose most likely to be effective on the basis of unpublished
studies in depression (David Horrobin, personal communication,
Feb. 1, 2001). Capsules were supplied by Laxdale Pharmaceuticals
Method (Stirling, U.K.).

45. Reduced Felony Violent Offenses Among Prisoners
with recommended daily amounts of vitamins, minerals and
essential fatty acids
Ratio of Disciplinary Incidents Supplementation/Baseline
1.00
Active -37.0% Placebo -10.1%
0.75 p ‹ 0.005 p = ns
0.50
Active
0.25 Placebo
0
Before supplementation During supplementation
UK maximum security prison - 338 offences among 172 prisoners over 9 months
treatment in a compared to 9 months baseline.
Gesch et al. Br J Psychiatry 2002, 181:22-28

46. Why not reproduce the rapid
results in throughout Canada
to get a 37% reduction in jail
violence?
It cost the Brits 19¢ per day or $69.35 per year.

47. Omega-3 Status and US Military Suicide Deaths
Suicide Deaths of Active-Duty US Military and
Omega-3 Fatty-Acid Status: A Case-Control Comparison
Michael D. Lewis, MD; Joseph R. Hibbeln, MD; Jeremiah E. Johnson, RD;
Yu Hong Lin, PhD; Duk Y. Hyun, BS; and James D. Loewke, BS
ABSTRACT
Background: The recent escalation of US military
S uicide rates among active-duty US military have increased to re-
cord numbers, doubling since the inception of Operation Enduring
Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom and rivaling the
suicide deaths to record numbers has been battlefield in toll on the US military.1 Army Vice–Chief of Staff General
a sentinel for impaired force efficacy and has Peter W. Chiarelli described the record suicide rate as “horrible” and
accelerated the search for reversible risk factors. voiced frustration that “the Army has not yet been able to identify any
Objective: To determine whether deficiencies causal links among the suicide cases.”2(pA2)
of neuroactive, highly unsaturated omega-3 Deficiencies of nutrients critical for brain function may be a signifi-
essential fatty acids (n-3 HUFAs), in particular
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are associated with
cant contributing risk factor for psychiatric pathology, especially suicide
increased risk of suicide death among a large and stress-related psychiatric symptoms.3 Highly unsaturated omega-3
random sample of active-duty US military. essential fatty acids (n-3 HUFAs), in particular docosahexaenoic acid
Method: In this retrospective case-control (DHA), are selectively concentrated in neural tissues and are required
study, serum fatty acids were quantified as for optimal neural function.4 These fatty acids cannot be made de novo
a percentage of total fatty acids among US but are available only from dietary sources, with seafood being the richest
military suicide deaths (n = 800) and controls source. Nutritional deficiencies in n-3 HUFAs may increase vulnerabil-
(n = 800) matched for age, date of collection of
sera, sex, rank, and year of incident. Participants
ity to combat deployment stress, manifesting as psychiatric symptoms
were active-duty US military personnel including adjustment disorders, major depression, impulsive violence,
(2002–2008). For cases, age at death ranged and suicide.5 In civilian populations, observational studies indicate that
from 17–59 years (mean = 27.3 years, SD = 7.3 low fish consumption is associated with increased risk of completed sui-
years). Outcome measures included death by cides6,7 and greater suicidal ideation.8 Low DHA status was associated
suicide, postdeployment health assessment
questionnaire (Department of Defense Form
with increased risk of past suicide attempts9 and future suicide attempts.10
2796), and ICD-9 mental health diagnosis data. In comparison to placebo, 2 grams per day of n-3 HUFA reduced suicidal
Results: Risk of suicide death was 14% higher per
thinking and depressive symptoms and reduced the perception of stress
SD of lower DHA percentage (OR = 1.14; 95% CI, among subjects (n = 49) with deliberate self-harm.11
1.02–1.27; P < .03) in adjusted logistic regressions. These findings suggest that low DHA levels may be a contributing
Among men, risk of suicide death was 62% factor for adverse psychiatric symptoms. In this study, we posited that
greater with low serum DHA status (adjusted low DHA status would be associated with increased risk of suicide death
OR = 1.62; 95% CI, 1.12–2.34; P < .01, comparing
DHA below 1.75% [n = 1,389] to DHA of 1.75%
among military personnel. Prospectively collected serum and supporting
and above [n = 141]). Risk of suicide death was data were available from the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center
52% greater in those who reported having seen (AFHSC) for a large number of active-duty suicide deaths (n = 800) and

48. Matsuoka BioPsychoSocial Medicine 2011, 5:3
http://www.bpsmedicine.com/content/5/1/3
REVIEW Open Access
Clearance of fear memory from the hippocampus
through neurogenesis by omega-3 fatty acids:
a novel preventive strategy for posttraumatic
stress disorder?
Yutaka Matsuoka1,2
Abstract
Not only has accidental injury been shown to account for a significant health burden on all populations, regardless
of age, sex and geographic region, but patients with accidental injury frequently present with the psychiatric
condition of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Prevention of accident-related PTSD thus represents a potentially
Clearance of fear memory from the hippocampus important goal. Physicians in the field of psychosomatic medicine and critical care medicine have the opportunity
through neurogenesis by omega-3 fatty acids: a novel to see injured patients in the immediate aftermath of an accident. This article first briefly reviews the prevalence
preventive strategy for posttraumatic stress disorder? and associated factors of accident-related PTSD, then focuses on a conceptual model of fear memory and
Matsuoka proposes a new, rationally hypothesized translational preventive intervention for PTSD through promoting
hippocampal neurogenesis by omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. The results of an open-label pilot trial of
Matsuoka BioPsychoSocial Medicine 2011, 5:3
http://www.bpsmedicine.com/content/5/1/3 (8 February 2011) injured patients admitted to the intensive care unit suggest that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation immediately
after accidental injury can reduce subsequent PTSD symptoms.
Omega-3 for PTSD symptoms could be used
routinely for the patients exposed to trauma