Effect of DHA supplementation during pregnancy on maternal depression and neurodevelopment of young children: a randomized controlled trial. Effect of Supplementation with Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Micronutrients on Learning and Behavior Problems Associated with Child ADHD Ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid for the treatment of psychological distress and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. omega-3 Fatty acid treatment of women with borderline personality disorder: a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. No effect of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (EPA and DHA) supplementation on depressed mood and cognitive function: a randomised controlled trial. EFA supplementation in children with inattention, hyperactivity, and other disruptive behaviors Omega-3 fatty acids in major depressive disorder: A preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of flax oil in pediatric bipolar disorder. Omega 3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder: a preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Gamma-linolenic acid for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: Placebo-controlled comparison to d-amphetamine Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms and on Health-Related Quality of Life in the Treatment of Elderly Women with Depression: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial Omega-3 augmentation of sertraline in treatment of depression in patients with coronary heart disease: a randomized controlled trial. Omega-3 fatty acids for major depressive disorder during pregnancy: results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Omega-3 fatty acids (fish-oil) and depression-related cognition in healthy volunteers Omega-3 treatment of childhood depression: a controlled, double-blind pilot study. The Oxford-Durham Study: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Dietary Supplementation With Fatty Acids in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder Eicosapentaenoic acid as an add-on to antidepressant medication for co-morbid major depression in patients with diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Omega-3 fatty acids and supportive psychotherapy for perinatal depression: a randomized placebo-controlled study. A placebo-controlled cross-over trial of adjunctive EPA in OCD. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Omega-3 fatty acid treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Effect of maternal docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on postpartum depression and information processing. A double-blind dose-finding pilot study of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for major depressive disorder Addition of omega-3 fatty acid to maintenance medication treatment for recurrent unipolar depressive disorder. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid in the treatment of major depression. Efficacy of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid in bipolar depression: randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study. Omega-3/Omega-6 Fatty Acids for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials of Ethyl-Eicosapentanoate in the Treatment of Bipolar Depression and Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder A double-blind, randomized controlled trial of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate for major depressive disorder. Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of fish oil in the treatment of depression. Fish oil supplementation in the treatment of major depression: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial A dose-ranging study of the effects of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate in patients with ongoing depression despite apparently adequate treatment with standard drugs. Omega-3 Fatty Acids as a Treatment for Perinatal Depression: Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial Comparison of Therapeutic Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Fluoxetine, Separately and in Combination, in Major Depressive Disorder The influence of short-chain essential fatty acids on children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.
CONTEXT Uncertainty about the benefits of dietary docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) for pregnant women and their children exists , despite international recommendations that pregnant women increase their DHA intakes . OBJECTIVE To determine whether increasing DHA during the last half of pregnancy will result in fewer women with high levels of depressive symptoms and enhance the neurodevelopmental outcome of their children . DESIGN , SETTING , AND PARTICIPANTS A double-blind , multicenter , r and omized controlled trial ( DHA to Optimize Mother Infant Outcome [ DOMInO ] trial ) in 5 Australian maternity hospitals of 2399 women who were less than 21 weeks ' gestation with singleton pregnancies and who were recruited between October 31 , 2005 , and January 11 , 2008 . Follow-up of children ( n = 726 ) was completed December 16 , 2009 . INTERVENTION Docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil capsules ( providing 800 mg/d of DHA ) or matched vegetable oil capsules without DHA from study entry to birth . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES High levels of depressive symptoms in mothers as indicated by a score of more than 12 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at 6 weeks or 6 months postpartum . Cognitive and language development in children as assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development , Third Edition , at 18 months . RESULTS Of 2399 women enrolled , 96.7 % completed the trial . The percentage of women with high levels of depressive symptoms during the first 6 months postpartum did not differ between the DHA and control groups ( 9.67 % vs 11.19 % ; adjusted relative risk , 0.85 ; 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] , 0.70 - 1.02 ; P = .09 ) . Mean cognitive composite scores ( adjusted mean difference , 0.01 ; 95 % CI , -1.36 to 1.37 ; P = .99 ) and mean language composite scores ( adjusted mean difference , -1.42 ; 95 % CI , -3.07 to 0.22 ; P = .09 ) of children in the DHA group did not differ from children in the control group . CONCLUSION The use of DHA-rich fish oil capsules compared with vegetable oil capsules during pregnancy did not result in lower levels of postpartum depression in mothers or improved cognitive and language development in their offspring during early childhood . TRIAL REGISTRATION anzctr.org.au Identifier : ACTRN12605000569606 Methods : Various developmental problems including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) have been linked to biological deficiencies in polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) . Additionally , there is evidence that symptoms may be reduced with PUFA supplementation . This study investigated effects of supplementation with PUFAs on symptoms typically associated with ADHD . Because nutrients work synergistically , additional effects of micronutrient supplementation were also investigated . A total of 132 Australian children aged 7 to 12 years with scores ≥2 SD above the population average on the Conners ADHD Index participated in a r and omized , placebo-controlled , double-blind intervention over 15 weeks , taking PUFAs alone , PUFAs + micronutrients , or placebo . Due to unreturned question naires , data were only available for 104 children . Results : Significant medium to strong positive treatment effects were found on parent ratings of core ADHD symptoms , inattention , hyperactivity/impulsivity , on the Conners Parent Rating Scale ( CPRS ) in both PUFA treatment groups compared with the placebo group ; no additional effects were found with the micronutrients . After a one-way crossover to active supplements in all groups for a further 15 weeks , these results were replicated in the placebo group , and the treatment groups continued to show significant improvements on CPRS core symptoms . No significant effects were found on Conners Teacher Rating Scales . Conclusion : These results add to preliminary findings that ADHD-related problems with inattention , hyperactivity , and impulsivity might respond to treatment with PUFAs and that improvements may continue with supplementation extending to 30 weeks BACKGROUND Psychological distress ( PD ) and depressive symptoms are commonly observed during menopausal transition . Studies suggest that omega-3 ( n-3 ) fatty acids may help alleviate depression . OBJECTIVE The objective was to compare enriched ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid ( E-EPA ) supplementation with placebo for the treatment of PD and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women . DESIGN Women with moderate-to-severe PD ( n = 120 ) were r and omly assigned to receive 1.05 g E-EPA/d plus 0.15 g ethyl-docosahexaenoic acid/d ( n = 59 ) or placebo ( n = 61 ) for 8 wk . The main outcomes were 8-wk changes in PD scores [ Psychological General Well-Being Schedule ( PGWB ) ] and depressive scales [ 20-item Hopkins Symptom Checklist Depression Scale ( HSCL-D-20 ) and the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HAM-D-21 ) ] . RESULTS At baseline , women with PD were mildly to moderately depressed , and 24 % met the major depressive episode ( MDE ) criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , 4th edition . After 8 wk , outcomes improved in both groups , but no significant differences were noted between them . Stratification analyses for MDE diagnosis at baseline indicated that differences in adjusted 8-wk changes between the E-EPA group without MDE ( n = 46 ) and the placebo group ( n = 45 ) were 8.0 ( 95 % CI : 0.6 , 15.3 ; P = 0.034 ) for the PGWB , -0.2 ( 95 % CI : -0.01 , -0.4 ; P = 0.040 ) for the HSCL-D-20 , and -2.7 ( 95 % CI : -0.3 , -5.1 ; P = 0.030 ) for the HAM-D-21 . Differences in adjusted 8-wk changes between the E-EPA group with MDE ( n = 13 ) and the placebo group ( n = 16 ) were not significant . CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge , this is the first trial of n-3 supplementation in the treatment of PD and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women . In women with PD without MDE at baseline , the 8-wk changes in PD and depressive scales improved significantly more with E-EPA than with placebo . This trial was registered at http://www.controlled-trials.com as IS RCT N69617477 OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid ( E-EPA ) and placebo in the treatment of female subjects with borderline personality disorder . METHOD The authors conducted an 8-week , placebo-controlled , double-blind study of E-EPA in 30 female subjects meeting Revised Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines and DSM-IV criteria for borderline personality disorder . RESULTS Twenty subjects were r and omly assigned to 1 g of E-EPA ; 10 subjects were given placebo . Ninety percent of those in both groups completed all 8 weeks of the trial . Analyses that used r and om-effects regression modeling and controlled for baseline severity showed E-EPA to be superior to placebo in diminishing aggression as well as the severity of depressive symptoms . CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that E-EPA may be a safe and effective form of monotherapy for women with moderately severe borderline personality disorder Low dietary intakes of the n-3 long-chain PUFA ( LCPUFA ) EPA and DHA are thought to be associated with increased risk for a variety of adverse outcomes , including some psychiatric disorders . Evidence from observational and intervention studies for a role of n-3 LCPUFA in depression is mixed , with some support for a benefit of EPA and /or DHA in major depressive illness . The present study was a double-blind r and omised controlled trial that evaluated the effects of EPA+DHA supplementation ( 1.5 g/d ) on mood and cognitive function in mild to moderately depressed individuals . Of 218 participants who entered the trial , 190 completed the planned 12 weeks intervention . Compliance , confirmed by plasma fatty acid concentrations , was good , but there was no evidence of a difference between supplemented and placebo groups in the primary outcome - namely , the depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales at 12 weeks . Mean depression score was 8.4 for the EPA+DHA group and 9.6 for the placebo group , with an adjusted difference of - 1.0 ( 95 % CI - 2.8 , 0.8 ; P = 0.27 ) . Other measures of mood , mental health and cognitive function , including Beck Depression Inventory score and attentional bias toward threat words , were similarly little affected by the intervention . In conclusion , substantially increasing  EPA+DHA  intake for 3 months was found not to have beneficial or harmful effects on mood in mild to moderate depression . Adding the present result to a meta- analysis of previous relevant r and omised controlled trial results confirmed an overall negligible benefit of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation for depressed mood This pilot study evaluated the effects of supplementation with PUFA on blood FA composition and behavior in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)-like symptoms also reporting thirst and skin problems . Fifty children were r and omized to treatment groups receiving either a PUFA supplement providing a daily dose of 480 mg DHA , 80 mg EPA , 40 mg arachidonic acid ( AA ) , 96 mg GLA , and 24 mg α-tocopheryl acetate , or an olive oil placebo for 4 mon of doubleblind parallel treatment . Supplementation with the PUFA led to a substantial increase in the proportions of EPA , DHA , and α-tocopherol in the plasma phospholipids and red blood cell ( RBC ) total lipids , but an increase was noted in the plasma phospholipid proportions of 18∶3n-3 with olive oil as well . Significant improvements in multiple but outcomes ( as rated by parents ) were noted in both groups , but a clear benefit from PUFA supplementation for all behaviors characteristic of AD/HD was not observed . For most outcomes , improvement of the PUFA group was consistently nominally better than that of the olive oil group ; but the treatment difference was significantly , by secondary intent-to-treat analysis on only 2 out of 16 outcome measures : conduct problems rated by parents ( −42.7 vs. −9.9 % , n=47 , P=0.05 ) , and attention symptoms rated by teachers ( −14.8 vs. + 3.4 % , n=47 , P=0.03 ) . PUFA supplementation led to a greater number of participants showing improvement in oppositional defiant behavior from a clinical to a non clinical range compared with olive oil supplementation ( 8 out of 12 vs. 3 out of 11 , n=33 , P=0.02 ) . Also , significant correlations were observed when comparing the magnitude of change between increasing proportions of EPA in the RBC and decreasing disruptive behavior as assessed by the Abbreviated Symptom Question naire ( ASQ ) for parents ( r=−0.38 , n=31 , P<0.05 ) , and for EPA and DHA in the RBC and the teachers ' Disruptive Behavior Disorders ( DBD ) Rating Scale for Attention ( r=−0.49 , n=24 , P<0.05 ) . Interestingly , significant correlations were observed between the magnitude of increase in α-tocopherol concentrations in the RBC and a decrease in scores for all four subscales of the teacher 's DBD ( Hyperactivity , r=−0.45 ; Attention , r=−0.60 ; Conduct , r=−0.41 ; Oppositional/Defiant Disorder , r=−0.54 ; n=24 , P<0.05 ) as well as the ASQ for teachers ( r=−0.51 , n=24 , P<0.05 ) . Thus , the results of this pilot study suggest the need for further research with both n−3 FA and vitamin E in children with behavioral disorders Patients with depression have been extensively reported to be associated with the abnormality of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) , including significantly low eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in cell tissue contents ( red blood cell membrane , plasma , etc . ) and dietary intake . However , more evidence is needed to support its relation . In this study , we conducted an 8-week , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial , comparing omega-3 PUFAs ( 6.6 g/day ) [ corrected ] with placebo , on the top of the usual treatment , in 28 patients with major depressive disorder . Patients in the omega-3 PUFA group had a significantly decreased score on the 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression than those in the placebo group ( P < 0.001 ) . From the preliminary findings in this study , omega-3 PUFAs could improve the short-term course of illness and were well tolerated in patients with major depressive disorder OBJECTIVES This clinical trial evaluated whether supplementation with flax oil , containing the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid ( alpha-LNA ) , safely reduced symptom severity in youth with bipolar disorder . METHODS Children and adolescents aged 6 - 17 years with symptomatic bipolar I or bipolar II disorder ( n = 51 ) , manic , hypomanic , mixed , or depressed , were r and omized to either flax oil capsules containing 550 mg alpha-LNA per 1 gram or an olive oil placebo adjunctively or as monotherapy . Doses were titrated to 12 capsules per day as tolerated over 16 weeks . Primary outcomes included changes in the Young Mania Rating Scale , Child Depression Rating Scale-Revised , and Clinical Global Impressions-Bipolar ratings using Kaplan-Meier survival analyses . RESULTS There were no significant differences in primary outcome measures when compared by treatment assignment . However , clinician-rated Global Symptom Severity was negatively correlated with final serum omega-3 fatty acid compositions : % alpha-LNA ( r = -0.45 , p < 0.007 ) , % eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) ( r = -0.47 , p < 0.005 ) ; and positively correlated with final arachidonic acid ( AA ) ( r = 0.36 , p < 0.05 ) and docosapentaenoic acid ( DPA ) n-6 ( r = 0.48 , p < 0.004 ) . The mean duration of treatment for alpha-LNA was 11.8 weeks versus 8 weeks for placebo ; however , the longer treatment duration for alpha-LNA was not significant after controlling for baseline variables . Subjects discontinued the study for continued depressive symptoms . CONCLUSIONS Studies of essential fatty acid supplementation are feasible and well tolerated in the pediatric population . Although flax oil may decrease severity of illness in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder who have meaningful increases in serum EPA percent levels and /or decreased AA and DPA n-6 levels , individual variations in conversion of alpha-LNA to EPA and docosahexaenoic acid as well as dosing burden favor the use of fish oil both for clinical trials and clinical practice . Additionally , future research should focus on adherence and analysis of outcome based on changes in essential fatty acid tissue compositions , as opposed to group r and omization alone BACKGROUND Omega3 fatty acids may inhibit neuronal signal transduction pathways in a manner similar to that of lithium carbonate and valproate , 2 effective treatments for bipolar disorder . The present study was performed to examine whether omega3 fatty acids also exhibit mood-stabilizing properties in bipolar disorder . METHODS A 4-month , double-blind , placebo-controlled study , comparing omega3 fatty acids ( 9.6 g/d ) vs placebo ( olive oil ) , in addition to usual treatment , in 30 patients with bipolar disorder . RESULTS A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of the cohort found that the  omega3 fatty acid  patient group had a significantly longer period of remission than the placebo group ( P = .002 ; Mantel-Cox ) . In addition , for nearly every other outcome measure , the omega3 fatty acid group performed better than the placebo group . CONCLUSION Omega3 fatty acids were well tolerated and improved the short-term course of illness in this preliminary study of patients with bipolar disorder In a Latin-square double-crossover with r and om assignment to sequence , 18 boys , aged 6 - 12 years , with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder received 1 month each of placebo , D-amphetamine , and Efamol ( evening primrose oil containing gamma-linolenic acid , with vitamin E as preservative ) . Parents ' ratings were noncontributory . Teachers ' ratings showed a trend of  Efamol effect between placebo and D-amphetamine . The trend reached significance ( p less than 0.05 ) only on Conners Hyperactivity Factor . Dosage may be crucial ; 8 Efamol capsules per day were used in this study . Heuristic data scrutiny suggested possible interaction ( sequence effect ) . Further study with a different design and dose is suggested . This study does not establish Efamol as an effective treatment Objective : In elderly individuals , depression is one of the most frequently missed diagnoses with negative effects on quality of life . The authors investigated whether a supplement containing long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( n-3 LCPUFA ) improves depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life ( HRQoL ) in depressed elderly patients . Design : Eight-week , r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial . Setting : Nursing home in Pavia , Italy . Participants : Forty-six depressed women , aged 66–95 years . Intervention : Twenty-two depressed women were included in the intervention group ( n-3 group , which received 2.5 g/d of n-3 LCPUFA , with 1.67 g of eicosapentaenoic acid [ EPA ] and 0.83 g of docosahesaenoic acid [ DHA ] ) , and 24 patients were included in the placebo group . The primary endpoint was the improvement of depressive symptoms , as evaluated by the Geriatric Depression Scale ( GDS ) . Secondary endpoints were the evaluation of HRQoL , by using the Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey ( SF-36 ) , and modifications of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids fatty acid profile . All variables were assessed before and after the treatment period of 8 weeks . Results : The mean GDS at 8 weeks was significantly lower compared with the n-3 group . The SF-36 physical and mental components were significantly increased in the intervention group . Compliance was good , as confirmed by erythrocyte membrane phospholipid FA concentrations , with a significant increase of EPA and DHA in the intervention group . Conclusion : Supplementation with n-3 LCPUFA is efficacious in the amelioration of depressive symptoms and quality of life in the treatment of depressed elderly female patients CONTEXT Studies of depressed psychiatric patients have shown that antidepressant efficacy can be increased by augmentation with omega-3 fatty acids . OBJECTIVE To determine whether omega-3 improves the response to sertraline  in patients with major depression and coronary heart disease ( CHD ) . DESIGN , SETTING , AND PARTICIPANTS R and omized controlled trial . Between May 2005 and December 2008 , 122 patients in St Louis , Missouri , with major depression and CHD were r and omized . INTERVENTIONS After a 2-week run-in period , all patients were given 50 mg/d of sertraline and r and omized in double-blind fashion to receive 2 g/d of omega-3 acid ethyl esters ( 930 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid [ EPA ] and 750 mg of docosahexaenoic acid [ DHA ] ) ( n=62 ) or to corn oil placebo capsules ( n=60 ) for 10 weeks . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Scores on the Beck Depression Inventory ( BDI-II ) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HAM-D ) . RESULTS Adherence to the medication regimen was 97 % or more in both groups for both medications . There were no differences in weekly BDI-II scores ( treatment x time interaction = 0.02 ; 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] , -0.33 to 0.36 ; t(112 ) = 0.11 ; P = .91 ) , pre-post BDI-II scores  ( placebo , 14.8 vs omega-3 , 16.1 ; 95 % difference-in-means CI , -4.5 to 2.0 ; t(116 ) = -0.77 ; P = .44 ) , or HAM-D scores ( placebo , 9.4 vs omega-3 , 9.3 ; 95 % difference-in-means CI , -2.2 to 2.4 ; t(115 ) = 0.12 ; P = .90 ) . The groups did not differ on predefined indicators of depression remission ( BDI-II < or = 8 : placebo , 27.4 % vs omega-3 , 28.3 % ; odds ratio [ OR ] , 0.96 ; 95 % CI , 0.43 - 2.15 ; t(113 ) = -0.11 ; P = .91 ) or response ( > 50 % reduction in BDI-II from baseline : placebo , 49.0 % vs omega-3 , 47.7 % ; OR , 1.06 ; 95 % CI , 0.51 - 2.19 ; t(112 ) = 0.15 ; P = .88 ) . CONCLUSIONS Treatment of patients with CHD and major depression with sertraline and omega-3 fatty acids did not result in superior depression outcomes at 10 weeks , compared with sertraline and placebo . Whether higher doses of omega-3 or sertraline , a different ratio of EPA to DHA , longer treatment , or omega-3 monotherapy can improve depression in patients with CHD remains to be determined . TRIAL REGISTRATION clinical trials.gov Identifier : NCT00116857 BACKGROUND Perinatal depression is common , and treatment remains challenging . Depression has been reported to be associated with the abnormality of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) . A profound decrease of omega-3 PUFAs in the mother during pregnancy is associated with the higher dem and of fetal development and might precipitate the occurrence of depression . In this study , we examined the efficacy of omega-3 PUFA monotherapy for the treatment of depression during pregnancy . METHOD From June 2004 to June 2006 , we conducted an 8-week , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial comparing omega-3 PUFAs ( 3.4 g/d ) with placebo in pregnant women with major depressive disorder ( DSM-IV criteria ) . No psychotropic agent was given 1 month prior to or during the study period . The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HAM-D ) was scored every other week as the primary measurement of efficacy , while the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale ( EPDS ) and Beck Depression Inventory ( BDI ) were secondary measures . RESULTS Thirty-six subjects were r and omly assigned to either omega-3 PUFAs or placebo , and 33 among them were evaluated in more than 2 visits . A total of 24 subjects completed the study . As compared to the placebo group , subjects in the omega-3 group had significantly lower HAM-D scores at weeks 6 ( p = .001 ) and 8 ( p = .019 ) , a significantly higher response rate ( 62 % vs. 27 % , p = .03 ) , and a higher remission rate , although the latter did not reach statistical significance ( 38 % vs. 18 % , p = .28 ) . At the study end point , subjects in the omega-3 group also had significantly lower depressive symptom ratings on the EPDS and BDI . The omega-3 PUFAs were well tolerated and there were no adverse effects on the subjects and newborns . CONCLUSIONS Omega-3 PUFAs may have therapeutic benefits in depression during pregnancy . In regard to the safety issue and psychotherapeutic effect , as well as health promotion to mothers and their newborns , it is worthy to conduct replication studies in a larger sample with a broad regimen of omega-3 PUFAs in pregnant women with depression . TRIAL REGISTRATION clinical trials.gov Identifier : NCT00618865 Abstract Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ( n-3 PUFA ) supplementation may be beneficial in the treatment of several psychiatric disorders , including depression . A small number of studies have suggested that there may also be cognitive and mood effects in healthy sample s. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of n-3 PUFA on depression-relevant cognitive functioning in healthy individuals . Fifty-four healthy university students were r and omized to receive either n-3 PUFA supplements or placebo for 4 weeks in a double-blind design . The test battery included measures of cognitive reactivity , attention , response inhibition , facial emotion recognition , memory and risky decision-making . Results showed few effects of n-3 PUFAs on cognition and mood states . The n-3 PUFA group made fewer risk-averse decisions than the placebo group . This difference appeared only in non-normative trials of the decision-making test , and was not accompanied by increased impulsiveness . N-3 PUFAs improved scores on the control/perfectionism scale of the cognitive reactivity measure . No effects were found on the other cognitive tasks and no consistent effects on mood were observed . The present findings indicate that n-3 PUFA supplementation may have a selective effect on risky decision making in healthy volunteers , which is unrelated to impulsiveness OBJECTIVE Major depressive disorder in children may be more common than previously thought , and its therapeutics are unclear . Because of success in a previous study on omega-3 fatty acids in adult major depressive disorder , the authors planned a pilot study of omega-3 fatty acids in childhood major depression . METHOD Children who entered the study were between the ages of 6 and 12 . Ratings were performed at baseline and at 2 , 4 , 8 , 12 , and 16 weeks using Children 's Depression Rating Scale ( CDRS ) , Children 's Depression Inventory ( CDI ) , and Clinical Global Impression ( CGI ) .  Children were r and omized to  omega-3 fatty acids or placebo as pharmacologic monotherapy . Twenty-eight patients were r and omized , and 20 completed at least 1 month 's ratings . RESULTS Analysis of variance showed highly significant effects of omega-3 on symptoms using the CDRS , CDI , and CGI . CONCLUSIONS Omega-3 fatty acids may have therapeutic benefits in childhood depression Background . Developmental coordination disorder ( DCD ) affects ∼5 % of school-aged children . In addition to the core deficits in motor function , this condition is associated commonly with difficulties in learning , behavior , and psychosocial adjustment that persist into adulthood . Mounting evidence suggests that a relative lack of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids may contribute to related neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders such as dyslexia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder . Given the current lack of effective , evidence -based treatment options for DCD , the use of fatty acid supplements merits investigation . Methods . A r and omized , controlled trial of dietary supplementation with ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids , compared with placebo , was conducted with 117 children with DCD ( 5–12 years of age ) . Treatment for 3 months in parallel groups was followed by a 1-way crossover from placebo to active treatment for an additional 3 months . Results . No effect of treatment on motor skills was apparent , but significant improvements for active treatment versus placebo were found in reading , spelling , and behavior over 3 months of treatment in parallel groups . After the crossover , similar changes were seen in the placebo-active group , whereas children continuing with active treatment maintained or improved their progress . Conclusions . Fatty acid supplementation may offer a safe efficacious treatment option for educational and behavioral problems among children with DCD . Additional work is needed to investigate whether our inability to detect any improvement in motor skills reflects the measures used and to assess the durability of treatment effects on behavior and academic progress BACKGROUND Depression is common in individuals with diabetes . The present study is the first r and omized controlled trial to test the efficacy of omega-3 ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid ( E-EPA ) as adjuvant to antidepressant medication in the treatment of depression in adults with diabetes mellitus . METHODS In the VU University Medical Center , we conducted a 12-week , placebo-controlled , double-blind , parallel-group intervention study of E-EPA ( 1g/day ) versus placebo in 25 diabetes patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder , who were already using antidepressant medication . The primary outcome was severity of depressive symptoms , assessed by the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale ( MADRS ) at baseline and 12-week follow-up at two-weekly intervals . Blood sample s were collected at baseline and at 12-week follow-up to determine EPA levels in erythrocyte membranes . Data were analyzed with ANOVA for repeated measures . RESULTS Thirteen participants were r and omly assigned to  E-EPA ; 12 participants were given  placebo . At 12-week follow-up , erythrocyte membranes from patients receiving E-EPA contained tripled levels of EPA , while no changes were noted in participants receiving placebo . In both groups , depressive symptoms significantly decreased over time ( F=21.14 , p<0.001 ) , yet no significant differences were found between those treated with E-EPA versus placebo ( F=1.63 , p=0.17 ) . LIMITATIONS Although having sufficient study power , this study had a relatively small sample size . Small effects could not be detected , and dose-dependent effects could not be studied . CONCLUSIONS No evidence was found for the efficacy of adding E-EPA to antidepressants in reducing depressive symptoms in diabetic patients with co-morbid depression BACKGROUND Perinatal major depressive disorder ( MDD ) , including antenatal and postpartum depression , is common and has serious consequences . This study was design ed to investigate the feasibility , safety , and efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids for  perinatal depression  in addition to supportive psychotherapy . METHODS Perinatal women with MDD were r and omized to eicosapentaenoic ( EPA ) and docosahexaenoic acids ( DHA ) , 1.9g/day , or placebo for 8weeks . A manualized supportive psychotherapy was provided to all subjects . Symptoms were assessed with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HAM-D ) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale ( EPDS ) biweekly . RESULTS Fifty-nine women enrolled ; N = 51 had two data collection points that allowed for evaluation of efficacy . Omega-3 fatty acids were well tolerated . Participants in both groups experienced significant decreases in EPDS and HAM-D scores ( p<.0001 ) from baseline . We did not find a benefit of omega-3 fatty acids over placebo . Dietary omega-3 fatty acid intake was low among participants . LIMITATIONS The ability to detect an effect of omega-3 fatty acids may have been limited by sample size , study length , or dose . The benefits of supportive psychotherapy may have limited the ability to detect an effect of omega-3 fatty acids . CONCLUSIONS There was no significant difference between omega-3 fatty acids and placebo in this study in which all participants received supportive psychotherapy . The manualized supportive psychotherapy warrants further study . The low intake of dietary omega-3 fatty acids among participants is of concern , in consideration of the widely established health advantages in utero and in infants Several clinical studies showed beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids in major affective disorders , including resistant depression . Some antidepressants are also effective , albeit less so , in obsessive-compulsive disorder ( OCD ) . We therefore undertook a preliminary placebo-controlled cross-over trial of adjunctive eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) in OCD . Eleven patients with current obsessive-compulsive disorder , who were on a stable maximally tolerated dose of SSRI with no further improvement over at least the last two months , were recruited . Subjects were r and omly allocated to begin 6 weeks of placebo ( 2 g liquid paraffin per day ) followed by 6 weeks of 2 g of EPA or EPA followed by placebo . Patients continued their prior SSRIs at the same dose . Assessment s were performed with the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale ( YBOCS ) , and the Hamilton Rating Scales for depression ( HAM-D ) and anxiety ( HAM-A ) . There were no effects of order of treatment . Time had a main effect of YBOCS scores ; mean scores declined from 26.0 ( + /-5 ) to 17.6 ( + /-6 ) by week 6 on placebo and to 18.5 ( + /-4 ) on EPA . There were no effects on HAM-D and HAM-A. No clinical ly relevant side effects were reported . The results of this study suggest that adjunctive EPA is ineffective against OCD OBJECTIVE To determine whether docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) supplementation for 4 months decreases the symptoms of  attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) .  STUDY DESIGN Sixty-three 6- to-12-year-old children with ADHD , all receiving effective maintenance therapy with stimulant medication , were assigned r and omly , in a double-blind fashion , to receive DHA supplementation ( 345 mg/d ) or placebo for 4 months . Outcome variables included plasma phospholipid fatty acid patterns , scores on laboratory measures of inattention and impulsivity ( Test of Variables of Attention , Children 's Color Trails test ) while not taking stimulant medication , and scores on parental behavioral rating scales ( Child Behavior Checklist , Conners ' Rating Scale ) . Differences between groups after 4 months of DHA supplementation or placebo administration were determined by analysis of variance , controlling for age , baseline value of each outcome variable , ethnicity , and ADHD subtype . RESULTS Plasma phospholipid DHA content of the DHA-supplemented group was 2.6-fold higher at the end of the study than that of the placebo group ( 4.85 + /- 1.35 vs 1.86 + /- 0.87 mol % of total fatty acids ; P < .001 ) . Despite this , there was no statistically significant improvement in any objective or subjective measure of ADHD symptoms . CONCLUSION A 4-month period of DHA supplementation ( 345 mg/d ) does not decrease symptoms of ADHD BACKGROUND Although several clinical trials have evaluated the impact of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ( PUFA ) on patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) , changes in plasma PUFA composition were not always assessed following n-3 supplementation . Furthermore , no reports are available on the efficacy of n-3 PUFA in Canadian youth with ADHD . OBJECTIVES To determine fatty acid ( FA ) composition , and the efficacy and safety of n-3 PUFA supplementation on ADHD clinical symptoms in French Canadian primary school children . PATIENTS AND METHODS The Strengths and Weaknesses in ADHD and Normal Behaviors ( SWAN ) and Conners ' question naires were used to assess changes in ADHD symptoms in 37 children ( only 26 children completed the study from zero to 16 weeks ) . They were divided into two groups ( A and B ) , and participated in a 16-week , double-blind , one-way , crossover r and omized study . In the first phase , group A received the n-3 PUFA supplement and group B received n-6 PUFA ( sunflower oil ) as a placebo . During the second phase , group B received the active n-3 PUFA supplement that was continued in group A. FA composition and lipid profile were assessed during the phases of the study . RESULTS FA differences between groups were observed in the 26 patients . Supplementation with n-3 PUFA result ed in significant increases in eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in group A , while group B was enriched with alpha-linolenic , gamma-linolenic and homo-gamma-linolenic acids . The n-3 PUFA supplement was tolerated without any adverse effects . A statistically significant improvement in symptoms was noted based on the parent version of the Conners ' question naire from baseline to the end of phase 1 , and this amelioration continued from phases 1 to 2 , although the latter changes from phases 1 and 2 were not statistically significant in any of the subscales except for the subscale measuring inattention in group B. The improvement was greater in patients from group A in phase 1 and in patients from group B in phase 2 . A subgroup of eight patients ( four in each group ) displayed a statistically significant clinical improvement following the administration of the n-3 PUFA supplement , particularly for the inattention and global Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth edition , total Conners ' subscales . CONCLUSIONS A subgroup of children with ADHD who used n-3 PUFA supplements achieved and maintained symptom control . The data of the present study also supported n-3 PUFA  safety and tolerability , but limited changes were noted in the FA profile in French Canadians with ADHD OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on plasma phospholipid docosahexaenoic acid content and indices of depression and information processing for women who breast-feed . STUDY DESIGN Mothers who planned to breast-feed their infants were assigned r and omly in a double-masked fashion to receive either docosahexaenoic acid ( approximately 200 mg/d ) or placebo for the first 4 months after the delivery . Major outcome variables included plasma phospholipid fatty acid patterns and scores on a self-rating question naire of current depression symptoms . A structured clinical interview of depression , scores on another self-rating question naire of depression symptoms , and a laboratory measure of information processing were obtained in subgroups of the total population . RESULTS Plasma phospholipid contents of docosahexaenoic acid at baseline were 3.15 + /- 0.78 and 3.31 + /- 0.70 ( mg/dL of total fatty acids ) in the docosahexaenoic acid and placebo groups , respectively . After 4 months , the plasma phospholipid docosahexaenoic acid content of the docosahexaenoic acid group was 8 % higher ( 3.40 + /- 0.97 mg/dL ) , whereas that of the placebo group was 31 % lower ( 2.27 + /- 0.87 mg/dL ) . Despite the higher plasma phospholipid docosahexaenoic acid content of the supplemented group after 4 months , there was no difference between groups in either self-rating or diagnostic measures of depression ; information processing scores of the two groups also did not differ . CONCLUSION Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation ( approximately 200 mg/d ) for 4 months after the delivery prevented the usual decline in plasma phospholipid docosahexaenoic acid content of women who breastfeed but did not influence self-ratings of depression , diagnostic measures of depression , or information processing We examined the antidepressant efficacy and dose-response pattern of the n-3 docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) .  Thirty-five depressed adult out patients ( 46 % women ; mean age 42+/-14 years ) with a 17-item Hamilton-Depression Scale ( HAM-D-17 ) score of > or=18 were r and omized into one of three double-blind dosing arms for 12 weeks . Group A ( n=14 ) : 1 g/day of oral DHA ; Group B ( n=11 ) : 2 g/day ; and Group C ( n=10 ) : 4 g/day . We measured HAM-D-17 scores , plasma DHA , eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) , and n-6/n-3 ratio . Completer response rates ( > or=50 % decrease in HAM-D-17 score ) were 83 % for Group A , 40 % for Group B , and 0 % for Group C ; Groups A and B had significant decreases in HAM-D-17 scores ( p<0.05 ) . For completers and intent-to-treat subjects , plasma DHA increased significantly ( p<0.05 ) , EPA had little change ( p>0.05 ) , and n-6/n-3 decreased significantly ( p<0.05 ) . DHA may be effective for depression at lower doses OBJECTIVE Studies have reported that countries with high rates of fish oil consumption have low rates of depressive disorder . The authors studied a specific omega-3 fatty acid , the ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid ( E-EPA ) , as an adjunct to treatment for depressive episodes occurring in patients with recurrent unipolar depressive disorder who were receiving maintenance antidepressant therapy . METHOD Twenty patients with a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder participated in a 4-week , parallel-group , double-blind addition of either placebo or E-EPA to ongoing antidepressant therapy .  Seventeen of the patients were women , and three were men . RESULTS Highly significant benefits of the addition of the omega-3 fatty acid compared with placebo were found by week 3 of treatment . CONCLUSIONS It is not possible to distinguish whether E-EPA augments antidepressant action in the manner of lithium or has independent antidepressant properties of its own OBJECTIVE This study was an evaluation of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) for the treatment of major depression . METHOD Thirty-six depressed patients were r and omly assigned to receive DHA , 2 g/day , or placebo for 6 weeks . Response was defined a priori as a > or = 50 % reduction in the score on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale .  Thirty-five participants were evaluable ; 18 received DHA , and 17 received placebo . RESULTS Response rates were 27.8 % in the DHA group and 23.5 % in the placebo group . The difference in response rates between groups did not reach statistical significance . CONCLUSIONS This trial failed to show a significant effect of DHA monotherapy in subjects with major depression BACKGROUND Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that increased intake of eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) alleviates unipolar depression . AIMS To examine the efficacy of EPA in treating depression in bipolar disorder . METHOD In a12-week , double-blind study individuals with bipolar depression were r and omly assigned to adjunctive treatment with placebo ( n=26 ) or with 1 g/day ( n=24 ) or 2 g/day ( n=25 ) of ethyl-EPA . Primary efficacy was assessed by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HRSD ) , with changes in the Young Mania Rating Scale and Clinical Global Impression Scale ( CGI ) as secondary outcome measures . RESULTS There was no apparent benefit of 2 g over 1 g ethyl-EPA daily . Significant improvement was noted with ethyl-EPA treatment compared with placebo in the HRSD ( P=0.04 ) and the CGI ( P=0.004 ) scores . Both doses were well tolerated . CONCLUSIONS Adjunctive ethyl-EPA is an effective and well-tolerated intervention in bipolar depression Objective : The aim of the study was to assess omega 3/6 fatty acids ( eye q ) in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) . Method : The study included a r and omized , 3-month , omega 3/6 placebo-controlled , one-way crossover trial with 75 children and adolescents ( 8—18 years ) , followed by 3 months with omega 3/6 for all .  Investigator-rated ADHD Rating Scale — IV and Clinical Global Impression ( CGI ) scale were outcome measures . Results : A majority did not respond to omega 3/6 treatment . However , a subgroup of 26 % responded with more than 25 % reduction of ADHD symptoms and a drop of CGI scores to the near-normal range . After 6 months , 47 % of all showed such improvement . Responders tended to have ADHD inattentive subtype and comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders . Conclusion : A subgroup of children and adolescents with ADHD , characterized by inattention and associated neurodevelopmental disorders , treated with omega 3/6 fatty acids for 6 months responded with meaningful reduction of ADHD symptoms . ( J. of Att . Dis . 2009 ; 12(5 ) 394 - 401 BACKGROUND The results of pilot trials suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may have efficacy in the treatment of mood symptoms in bipolar disorder . METHODS We conducted a 4-month , r and omized , placebo-controlled , adjunctive trial of ethyl-eicosapentanoate ( EPA ) 6 g/day in the treatment of bipolar depression and rapid cycling bipolar disorder . Subjects were receiving mood-stabilizing medications at therapeutic doses or plasma concentrations . The measures of efficacy were early study discontinuation , changes from baseline in depressive symptoms ( Inventory for Depressive Symptomology total score ) and in manic symptoms ( Young Mania Rating Scale total score ) , and manic exacerbations ( " switches " ) . We also measured side effects and bleeding time , a biomarker of drug action . RESULTS Overall , there were no significant differences on any outcome measure between the EPA and placebo groups . CONCLUSIONS This study did not find overall evidence of efficacy for adjunctive treatment with EPA 6 g/day in out patients with bipolar depression or rapid cycling bipolar disorder OBJECTIVE To examine the efficacy and tolerability of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate ( EPA-E ) monotherapy for major depressive disorder ( MDD ) . METHOD Fifty-seven adults with DSM-IV MDD were r and omly assigned from January 2003 until June 2006 to receive 1 g/d of eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) or placebo for 8 weeks in a double-blind , r and omized , controlled pilot study . Response criteria were on the basis of the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HDRS-17 ) . Subjects ' plasma lipid profiles were examined by gas chromatography . RESULTS Thirty-five subjects ( 63 % female ; mean + /- SD age = 45 + /- 13 years ) were eligible for the intent-to-treat ( ITT ) analysis . In the ITT sample , mean + /- SD HDRS-17 scores decreased from 21.6 + /- 2.7 to 13.9 + /- 8.9 for the EPA group ( n = 16 ) and from 20.5 + /- 3.6 to 17.5 + /- 7.5 for the placebo group ( n = 19 ) ( P = .123 ) ; the effect size for EPA was 0.55 . ITT response rates were 38 % ( 6/16 ) for EPA , and 21 % ( 4/19 ) for placebo ( P = .45 ) . Among the 24 study completers , mean + /- SD HDRS-17 scores decreased from 21.3 + /- 3.0 to 11.1 + /- 8.1 for the EPA group and from 20.5 + /- 3.8 to 16.3 + /- 6.9 for the placebo group ( P = .087 ) ; the effect size for EPA was 0.73 . Completer response rates were 45 % ( 5/11 ) for EPA , and 23 % ( 3/13 ) for placebo ( P = .39 ) . Among EPA subjects , baseline n-6/n-3 ratio was associated with decrease in HDRS-17 score ( r = -0.686 , P = .030 ) and with treatment response ( P = .032 ) ; change in n-6/n-3 ratio was associated with change in HDRS-17 score ( r = .784 , P = .032 ) . Side effects , reported in 2 EPA subjects and 5 placebo subjects , were exclusively gastrointestinal , mild , and not associated with discontinuation . CONCLUSIONS EPA demonstrated an advantage over placebo that did not reach statistical significance , possibly due to the small sample and low completer rates , which were the major study limitations . TRIAL REGISTRATION clinical trials.gov Identifier : NCT00096798 Converging evidence suggests that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have aetiological importance in depression . To determine the effect of adding fish oil to existing therapy in participants who were being treated for depression in a community setting , 77 participants were r and omly assigned to receive 8 g of either fish or olive oil per day in addition to their existing therapy . Fifty-nine ( 77 % ) participants completed 12 weeks of treatment . Dietary , biochemical and lifestyle factors were measured throughout the study . Mood was assessed using the Short Form Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HDRS-SF ) and the Beck Depression Inventory II . Sample size calculations were based on the HDRS-SF . Intention-to-treat and per protocol analyses were carried out using residual maximum likelihood . There was no evidence that fish oil improved mood when compared to the placebo oil , despite an increase in circulating omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids . However , mood improved significantly in both groups within the first 2 weeks of the study ( P<0.001 ) and this improvement was sustained throughout . In conclusion , fish oil was no more effective than the control as an add-on therapy for depression in this setting Dietary deficiencies in essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from fish are associated with depression and some fish oils may have therapeutic benefits . We aim ed to determine whether taking tuna fish oil confers any additional benefit to conventional outpatient treatment for major depression . A r and omized double-blind placebo-controlled four-month trial comparing tuna fish oil versus placebo was conducted on 83 out patients with major depression . Despite large reductions in depression there were no significant differences at any assessment time point between patients receiving fish oil compared to placebo .  Red blood cell incorporation of fatty acids indicated good compliance with oil supplementation , although this sample was not initially deficient in omega-3s . This particular dose and type of fish oil conferred no additional benefit to conventional treatment of depression in this sample . Future studies could target participants with pre-existing omega-3 deficiency and appraise alternate enriched types and higher doses of omega-3 supplementation BACKGROUND In depressed patients , low blood levels of eicosapentaenoic acid are seen . We tested the antidepressive effect of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate in these patients . METHODS We included 70 patients with persistant depression despite ongoing treatment with an adequate dose of a st and ard antidepressant .  Patients were r and omized on a double-blind basis to placebo or ethyl-eicosapentaenoate at dosages of 1 , 2 , or 4 g/d for 12 weeks in addition to unchanged background medication . Patients underwent assessment using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale , the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale , and the Beck Depression Inventory . RESULTS Forty-six ( 88 % ) of 52 patients receiving ethyl-eicosapentaenoate and 14 ( 78 % ) of 18 patients receiving placebo completed the 12-week study with no serious adverse events . The 1-g/d group showed a significantly better outcome than the placebo group on all 3 rating scales . In the intention-to-treat group , 5 ( 29 % ) of 17 patients receiving placebo and 9 ( 53 % ) of 17 patients receiving 1 g/d of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate achieved a 50 % reduction on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score . In the per- protocol group , the corresponding figures were 3 ( 25 % ) of 12 patients for placebo and 9 ( 69 % ) of 13 patients for the 1-g/d group . The 2-g/d group showed little evidence of efficacy , whereas the 4-g/d group showed nonsignificant trends toward improvement . All of the individual items on all 3 rating scales improved with the 1-g/d dosage of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate vs placebo , with strong beneficial effects on items rating depression , anxiety , sleep , lassitude , libido , and suicidality . CONCLUSION Treatment with ethyl-eicosapentaenoate at a dosage of 1 g/d was effective in treating  depression in patients who remained depressed despite adequate st and ard therapy Objective : Epidemiological , biological marker and treatment studies , as well as neuroscientific theories , indicate a possible link between omega-3 fatty acids and perinatal depression ( PND ) . Hence the aim of the present study was to assess whether omega-3 fatty acid treatment is superior to placebo in the treatment of PND . Method : A double-blind r and omized placebo-controlled trial was undertaken . Women with major depression during the perinatal period received either fish oil or placebo for six weeks . Changes in depression scores were recorded weekly . Results : A total of 26 subjects were recruited and there was no significant difference in depression scores between those receiving fish oil and those receiving the placebo . Conclusions : This is formally a negative study , suggesting that there is no benefit for omega-3 fatty acids over placebo in treating PND . The reason could be that the study was underpowered due to recruitment difficulties and therefore we suggest that it may be unwise to interpret this result as conclusive . Omega-3 is a natural product that is a safe and well-tolerated treatment . Further research is therefore needed in this area to establish whether omega-3 fatty acids are an effective treatment for PND Objective : To compare therapeutic effects of eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) , fluoxetine and a combination of them in major depression . Method : Sixty out patients with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder based on DSM-IV criteria and a score ≥15 in the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HDRS )  were r and omly allocated to receive daily either 1000 mg EPA or 20 mg fluoxetine , or their combination for 8 weeks . Double dummy technique was used to double blind the study . Patients were assessed at 2 week intervals . Change in HDRS was the primary outcome measure . Results : Analysis of covariance for HDRS at week 8 across treatment groups was performed in 48 patients who completed at least 4 weeks of the study , with the last observation carried forward . Treatment , age of onset and baseline HDRS had a significant effect on HDRS at week 8 . EPA + fluoxetine combination was significantly better than fluoxetine or EPA alone from the fourth week of treatment . Fluoxetine and EPA appear to be equally effective in controlling depressive symptoms . Response rates ( ≥50 % decrease in baseline HDRS ) were 50 % , 56 % and 81 % in the fluoxetine , EPA and combination groups , respectively . Conclusions : In the present 8 week trial EPA and fluoxetine had equal therapeutic effects in major depressive disorder . EPA + fluoxetine combination was superior to either of them alone Essential fatty acids ( EFA ) are needed for normal sensory , cognitive , and motor function . The EFA blood profile seems to be different in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) as compared to matched controls . Previous open EFA supplementation trials were successful in demonstrating significant therapeutic effects in this population , whereas most of the r and omized controlled trials failed to show any benefit over placebo . The current r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial tested the influence of short-chain EFA supplementation on ADHD children , using parent and teacher question naires and a computerized continuous performance test . A total of 73 unmedicated children aged 7 - 13 years with a diagnosis of ADHD participated in the study ; 63 children completed the study . The EFA supplement contained 480 mg of linoleic acid and 120 mg of alpha-linolenic acid , and the placebo contained 1000 mg of vitamin C ( daily amounts ) ; both were given for a 7-week supplementation period . Analysis of variance for repeated measures revealed that both treatments ameliorated some of the symptoms , but no significant differences were found between the groups in any of the treatment effects
This work provides a systematic review of all published r and omised , controlled clinical trials ( RCT ) investigating the effects of n-3 PUFA intake on the prevention and treatment of non-neurodegenerative neuropsychiatric disorders .