The Role of Fatty Acid Binding Proteins in Neuropsychiatric Diseases: A Narrative Review.

This review looked at proteins called fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) and their connection to brain conditions including autism. Researchers found that people with autism had higher levels of certain FABPs (FABP2 and FABP7) compared to others. These proteins help transport fats in the brain and might be linked to inflammation. The researchers think this could lead to new treatments, but more studies are needed to confirm these findings.

This narrative review examined 90 studies from 1281 publications to explore the role of fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) in neuropsychiatric conditions including autism spectrum disorder. The review found that FABP alterations were involved in pathology and/or associated with severity across all examined conditions. Specifically for autism, elevated levels of FABP2 and FABP7 were identified in patients with ASD. The authors suggest FABPs' involvement in neuroinflammation and lipid metabolism could inform new therapeutic strategies, though they emphasize findings require validation through prospective clinical trials before clinical application.

Elevated FABP2 and FABP7 levels in autism patients may serve as potential biomarkers, though clinical validation is needed. The involvement of FABPs in neuroinflammation suggests possible therapeutic targets through FABP inhibitors. However, prospective clinical trials are required before any clinical applications can be considered.

This is a narrative review rather than systematic review, which may introduce selection bias. The authors explicitly state findings require validation through prospective clinical trials. No specific sample sizes or effect sizes are reported for individual studies included.

Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) transport lipids in the brain and may be involved in the course of various neuropsychiatric syndromes, e.g., major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety, schizophrenia, neurodegenerative disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and substance use disorders (SUDs). However, the nature of this link is not sufficiently elucidated. To that end, we performed a comprehensive literature search on the role of FABPs in neuropsychiatric disorders. Literature searches were conducted from Medline/PubMed electronic databases utilizing the search terms ("fatty acid binding protein" OR "FABP") AND ("psychiatry" OR "ADHD" OR "autism" OR "schizophrenia" OR "substance abuse" OR "substance use disorder" OR "addiction" OR "cocaine" OR "ethanol" OR "tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)" OR "nicotine" OR "anxiety" OR "depression" OR "major depressive disorder", OR "neurodegenerative" OR "Alzheimer" OR "Parkinson" OR "dementia").

Of the 1281 publications found, 90 met the inclusion criteria. FABP alterations were found to be involved in pathology and/or associated with the severity of all conditions examined. Elevated levels of FABP2 and FABP7 were found in patients with MDD and ASD, while FABP3 is implicated in dopamine receptor regulation linked to ADHD and SUDs. Moreover, FABPs' involvement in neuroinflammation and lipid metabolism could shed light on new therapeutic strategies.

Alterations in FABP expression may contribute to the increased prevalence and severity of certain neuropsychiatric conditions. Our findings, albeit pending further validation via prospective clinical trials, call for further research into the mechanisms by which FABPs affect neurophysiopathology and highlight the therapeutic potential of FABP inhibitors in mitigating such illnesses.