Indication: Depression (during pregnancy)


Source: J Clin Psychiatry, March 18, 2008:e1-e8. [Epub ahead of print]

Research: Perinatal depression is common, and treatment remains challenging. According to researchers, 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 demand of fetal development and might precipitate the occurrence of depression. In this study, researchers set out to examine the efficacy of omega 3 PUFA monotherapy for the treatment of depression during pregnancy. From June 2004 to June 2006, they conducted an 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing omega 3 PUFAs (3.4 grams per day) 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. Thirty-six subjects were randomly assigned to either omega 3 PUFAs or placebo, and 33 among them were evaluated in more than two visits.

Results: 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 and 8, a significantly higher response rate (62% vs. 27%), and a higher remission rate, although the latter did not reach statistical significance (38% vs. 18%). 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. Researchers believe omega 3 PUFAs may have therapeutic benefits in depression during pregnancy. With regard to the safety issue and psychotherapeutic effect, as well as health promotion to mothers and their newborns, they be­lieve it is worth conducting replication studies in a larger sample with a broad regimen of omega 3 PUFAs in pregnant women with depression.