title: Do essential fatty acids have a role in the treatment of depression?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are used more than conventional therapies by people with self-defined anxiety and depression. Preliminary evidence supports a hypothesis that low plasma concentration of essential fatty acids is associated with depression. Reported here is the result of a systematic review examining the therapeutic efficacy of essential fatty acids for depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data sources included Medline, Psychinfo, AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine), and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register databases searched from inception through September 2001. English language randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, intervention studies, case control studies, reviews, and case reports of humans were selected, without limits for demographics or co-morbidities. Two abstractors independently evaluated each study, then reconciled findings. When possible, between group treatment effect size was noted or calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six articles met inclusion criteria: one RCT, two reviews, and three case control trials. A common outcome measure among the case control trials allowed for direct comparison of effect sizes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The evidence implies promise of a treatment effect of omega-3 fatty acids for depression in adults; although a statement of definitive clinical efficacy is premature. Further study of essential fatty acids as independent and adjuvant therapy for adult depression is indicated, including more sophisticated investigation of dose-response in particular populations.
authors.affiliation: Yale Prevention Research Center, 130 Division Street, Derby, CT 06418, USA.
authors.forename: Anna-leila
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Ather
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Girard
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D001896:Boron Compounds; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008689:Methacrylates; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001896:Boron Compounds; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D008689:Methacrylates; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; C049495:Super-bond