A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid in the treatment of major depression.
Marangell LB, Martinez JM, Zboyan HA, Kertz B, Kim HF, Puryear LJ.
Mood Disorders Center, Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Suite 560, 6655 Travis Road, Houston, TX 77030, USA. laurenm@bcm.tmc.edu
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 randomly 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.
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PMID: 12727707 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]