Efficacy of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid in bipolar depression: randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study.
BACKGROUND
Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that increased intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) alleviates unipolar depression.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the efficacy of EPA in treating depression in bipolar disorder.


METHODS
In a12-week, double-blind study individuals with bipolar depression were randomly 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.
Frangou
Sophia
S
Section of Neurobiology of Psychosis, PO66, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK. s.frangou@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Lewis
Michael
M
McCrone
Paul
P
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid