Highly purified ethyl EPA and other EPA derivatives for psychiatric and neurological disorders

Abstract

A pharmaceutical preparation comprising EPA in an appropriately assimilable form where of all the fatty acids present in the preparation at least 90%, and preferably at least 95%, is in the form of EPA and where less than 5%, and preferably less than 3%, is in the form of DHA is provided for the treatment of a psychiatric or central nervous disorder. The preparation may be administered with conventional drugs to treat psychiatric or central nervous disorders to improve their efficacy or reduce their side effects.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
     
     
         28 . A method of treating Parkinson's disease comprising the step of administering to a subject a pharmaceutical preparation comprising EPA in an appropriately assimilable form, wherein of all the fatty acids present in the preparation at least 90% is in the form of EPA, and wherein less than 5% is in the form of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising identifying the subject as an individual who is at risk from Parkinson's disease suffering from Parkinson's disease, or exhibiting symptoms of Parkinson's disease.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein of all the fatty acids present in the preparation at least 95%, is in the form of EPA.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein of all the fatty acids present in the preparation less than 3% is in the form of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein among the fatty acids present, other than docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and EPA, there are less than 5% of each of AA or DPA-n-3, individually.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein among the fatty acids present, other than docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and EPA, there are less than 3% of each of AA or DPA-n-3, individually.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the aggregate DHA, AA and/or DPA-n-3 content is less than 5% of the total fatty acids present.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the EPA is selected from group consisting of: 
 a) ethyl-EPA;    b) lithium EPA;    c) mono-, di- and triglyceride EPA;    d) an ester or salt of EPA; and    e) a free acid form of EPA.    
     
     
         36 - 49 . (canceled)  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition which is a psychiatric or neurological drug that acts on neurotransmitter metabolism or receptors.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated together with the pharmaceutical preparation.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is present in a therapeutically effective amount.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the EPA is ethyl-EPA.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the EPA is lithium-EPA.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the EPA is present as a monoglyceride, a diglyceride, a triglyceride, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the EPA is an ester or a salt of EPA.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the EPA is a free acid form of EPA.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the pharmaceutical preparation comprising EPA is in capsule form.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the EPA is administered in a daily dose in the range of 0.05 to 50 g/day.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the EPA is administered in a daily dose in the range of 0.1 to 10 g/day.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the EPA is administered in a daily dose in the range of 0.5 to 5 g/day.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the EPA is administered in a daily dose in the range of about 1 to about 2 g/day.