Eicosapentaenoic acid appears to be the key omega-3 fatty acid component associated with efficacy in major depressive disorder: A critique of Bloch and Hannestad and updated meta-analysis

Molecular Psychiatry

Volumn 17, Issue 12, 2012, Pages 1144-1149

  Martins, J G ^a   Bentsen, H ^b   Puri, B K ^c  

^a Academy of Nutritional Medicine   (United Kingdom)

^b DIAKONHJEMMET HOSPITAL   (Norway)

^c HAMMERSMITH HOSPITAL   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID; FISH OIL; ICOSAPENTAENOIC ACID; OMEGA 3 FATTY ACID; PLACEBO;

DIET SUPPLEMENTATION; DISEASE SEVERITY; DISTRESS SYNDROME; DRUG EFFICACY; HUMAN; MAJOR DEPRESSION; META ANALYSIS; MONOTHERAPY; NOTE; PATIENT SELECTION; PERINATAL PERIOD; PRIORITY JOURNAL; PUERPERAL DEPRESSION; SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS; TREATMENT OUTCOME; TREATMENT RESPONSE;

DEPRESSIVE DISORDER, MAJOR; FATTY ACIDS, OMEGA-3; HUMANS; RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS AS TOPIC;

EID: 84870065602     PISSN: 13594184     EISSN: 14765578     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1038/mp.2012.25     Document Type: Note

References (28)

1. Bloch MH, Hannestad J. Omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of depression: systematic review and meta-analysis. Mol Psychiatry 2011; e-pub ahead of print 20 September 2011; doi:10.1038/mp.2011.100.
2. Appleton KM, Rogers PJ, Ness AR. Updated systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on depressed mood. Am J Clin Nutr 2010; 91: 757-770.
3. Martins JG. EPA but not DHA appears to be responsible for the efficacy of omega-long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in depression: evidence from a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Am Coll Nutr 2009; 28: 525-542.
4. Ross BM, Seguin J, Sieswerda LE. Omega-3 fatty acids as treatments for mental illness: which disorder and which fatty acid? Lipids Health Dis 2007; 6: 21.
5. Sublette ME, Ellis SP, Geant AL, Mann JJ. Meta-analysis of the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in clinical trials in depression. J Clin Psychiatry 2011; 72: 1577-1584.
6. Rogers PJ, Appleton KM, Kessler D, Peters TJ, Gunnell D, Hayward RC et al. No effect of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (EPA and DHA) supplementation on depressed mood and cognitive function: a randomised controlled trial. Br J Nutr 2008; 99: 421-431.
7. Bot M, Pouwer F, Assies J, Jansen EH, Diamant M, Snoek FJ et al. 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. J Affect Disord 2010; 126: 282-286.
8. Rondanelli M, Giacosa A, Opizzi A, Pelucchi C, La Vecchia C, Montorfano G et al. 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. J Am Coll Nutr 2010; 29: 55-64.
9. Jazayeri S, Tehrani-Doost M, Keshavarz SA, Hosseini M, Djazayery A, Amini H et al. Comparison of therapeutic effects of omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid and fluoxetine, separately and in combination, in major depressive disorder. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2008; 42: 192-198.
10. Carney RM, Freedland KE, Rubin EH, Rich MW, Steinmeyer BC, Harris WS. Omega-3 augmentation of sertraline in treatment of depression in patients with coronary heart disease: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2009; 302: 1651-1657.
11. Lucas M, Asselin G, Merette C, Poulin MJ, Dodin S. Ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid for the treatment of psychological distress and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2009; 89: 641-651.
12. Freeman MP, Davis M, Sinha P, Wisner KL, Hibbeln JR, Gelenberg AJ. Omega-3 fatty acids and supportive psychotherapy for perinatal depression: a randomized placebo-controlled study. J Affect Disord 2008; 110: 142-148.
13. Rees AM, Austin MP, Parker GB. Omega-3 fatty acids as a treatment for perinatal depression: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2008; 42: 199-205.
14. Su KP, Huang SY, Chiu TH, Huang KC, Huang CL, Chang HC et al. Omega-3 fatty acids for major depressive disorder during pregnancy: results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Psychiatry 2008; 69: 644-651.
15. Grenyer BF, Crowe T, Meyer B, Owen AJ, Grigonis-Deane EM, Caputi P et al. Fish oil supplementation in the treatment of major depression: a randomised doubleblind placebo-controlled trial. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2007; 31: 1393-1396.
16. Bax L, Yu LM, Ikeda N, Moons KG. A systematic comparison of software dedicated to meta-analysis of causal studies. BMC Med Res Methodol 2007; 7: 40.
17. Su KP, Huang SY, Chiu CC, Shen WW. Omega-3 fatty acids in major depressive disorder. A preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2003; 13: 267-271.
18. Appleton KM, Hayward RC, Gunnell D, Peters TJ, Rogers PJ, Kessler D et al. Effects of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on depressed mood: systematic review of published trials. Am J Clin Nutr 2006; 84: 1308-1316.
19. Lin PY, Su KP. A meta-analytic review of double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of antidepressant efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids. J Clin Psychiatry 2007; 68: 1056-1061.
20. Mischoulon D, Papakostas GI, Dording CM, Farabaugh AH, Sonawalla SB, Agoston AM et al. A double-blind, randomized controlled trial of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate for major depressive disorder. J Clin Psychiatry 2009; 70: 1636-1644.
21. Turner EH, Matthews AM, Linardatos E, Tell RA, Rosenthal R. Selective publication of antidepressant trials and its influence on apparent efficacy. N Engl J Med 2008; 358: 252-260.
22. Lespérance F, Frasure-Smith N, St-André E, Turecki G, Lespérance P, Wisniewski SR. The efficacy of omega-3 supplementation for major depression: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Psychiatry 2011; 72: 1054-1062.
23. Peet M, Horrobin DF. A dose-ranging study of the effects of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate in patients with ongoing depression despite apparently adequate treatment with standard drugs. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2002; 59: 913-919.
24. Nemets B, Stahl Z, Belmaker RH. Addition of omega-3 fatty acid to maintenance medication treatment for recurrent unipolar depressive disorder. Am J Psychiatry 2002; 159: 477-479.
25. Marangell LB, Martinez JM, Zboyan HA, Kertz B, Kim HF, Puryear LJ. A doubleblind, placebo-controlled study of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid in the treatment of major depression. Am J Psychiatry 2003; 160: 996-998.
26. Silvers KM, Woolley CC, Hamilton FC, Watts PM, Watson RA. Randomised doubleblind placebo-controlled trial of fish oil in the treatment of depression. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2005; 72: 211-218.
27. da Silva TM, Munhoz RP, Alvarez C, Naliwaiko K, Kiss A, Andreatini R et al. Depression in Parkinson's disease: a double-blind, randomized, placebocontrolled pilot study of omega-3 fatty-acid supplementation. J Affect Disord 2008; 111: 351-359.
28. Rush JA, First MB, Blacker D. Handbook of Psychiatric Measures. 2nd edn. American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.: Washington, 2008.