Abstract: An application of omega-3 and/or omega-6 fatty acid(s) for the therapeutic treatment of the human or animal body in the case of an impaired sphingolipid metabolism, in particular in the case of impaired sphingolipid synthesis and/or excessive sphingolipid degradation. The agent is applied in the case of missing, reduced and/or defective formation of a sphingomyelin synthase enzyme in the body, in particular the enzyme sphingomyelin synthase 1 or the enzyme sphingomyelin synthase 2. The application has proved to be useful in the case of a defect of the sphingomyelin synthase 1 gene or of the sphingomyelin synthase 2 gene. The omega-3 and/or omega-6 fatty acid(s) preferably comprise(s) polyunsaturated omega-3 and/or omega-6 fatty acid(s), preferably EPA, DHA, DPA, ETA, 21:5n3 and/or SDA. A method for determining a cause of a disease in an animal or a human being and a device for carrying out the method are also provided.

Abstract: An application of omega-3 and/or omega-6 fatty acid(s) for the therapeutic treatment of the human or animal body in the case of an impaired sphingolipid metabolism, in particular in the case of impaired sphingolipid synthesis and/or excessive sphingolipid degradation. The agent is applied in the case of missing, reduced and/or defective formation of a sphingomyelin synthase enzyme in the body, in particular the enzyme sphingomyelin synthase 1 or the enzyme sphingomyelin synthase 2. The application has proved to be useful in the case of a defect of the sphingomyelin synthase 1 gene or of the sphingomyelin synthase 2 gene. The omega-3 and/or omega-6 fatty acid(s) preferably comprise(s) polyunsaturated omega-3 and/or omega-6 fatty acid(s), preferably EPA, DHA, DPA, ETA, 21:5n3 and/or SDA. A method for determining a cause of a disease in an animal or a human being and a device for carrying out the method are also provided.