Omega-3 fatty acid for depression - Literature Review & Commentary - Brief Article

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Nov, 2002 by Alan R. Gaby

Twenty patients (mean age, 53.4 years) with recurrent unipolar depression, with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) scores of 18 or higher, were randomly assigned to receive, in double-blind fashion, the ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid (E-EPA; 1 g twice daily) or placebo for 4 weeks. All patients were receiving maintenance antidepressant therapy. At the end of weeks 2, 3, and 4, E-EPA was significantly more effective than placebo (p < 0.001), as determined by HAM-D scores. The mean reduction in HAM-D score was 12.4 points in the E-EPA group, compared with 1.6 in the placebo group. 6 of 10 patients receiving E-EPA, compared with 1 of 10 patients receiving placebo, achieved a 50% reduction in HAM-D score. No significant side effects were seen. It is concluded that the ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid either augments the effect of antidepressant medication or has independent antidepressant properties of its own.

Nemets B, et al. Addition of omega-3 fatty acid to maintenance medication treatment for recurrent unipolar depressive disorder. Am J Psychiatry 2002;159:477-479.