Improvement
of recurrent major depression by omega-3 fatty
acid as an adjunct to treatment
Epidemiological
evidence suggests that countries which consume
high proportions of fish oil show low rates of
depressive disorder. Some investigators have
studied the omega-3 fatty acid ester of
eicosapentaenoic acid (E-EPA) as an addition to
classical antidepressant medication treatment of
patients with recurrent unipolar depression.
Twenty patients (17 women and 3 men of 53 years
age) were enrolled in a 4-week, parallel-group,
double-blind study and treated by either placebo
or E-EPA as an adjunct to ongoing antidepressant
therapy. By week 3 of treatment, six of 10
patients receiving E-EPA showed a 50% decrease
in Hamilton depression score in comparison with
1 of 10 patients taking placebo. Neither adverse
effects, nor fishy taste or odours were
reported. It is too early to explain the
mechanism of antidepressant action of omega-3
fatty acid (such as lithium) and larger
replication studies would be necessary to
support its high benefit. In addition, it would
be interesting to compare the efficacy of
different fatty acids. Am
J Psychiatry 159: 477-479, 2002