A double-blind dose-finding pilot study of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for major depressive disorder.
We examined the antidepressant efficacy and dose-response pattern of the n-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Thirty-five depressed adult outpatients (46% women; mean age 42+/-14 years) with a 17-item Hamilton-Depression Scale (HAM-D-17) score of >or=18 were randomized into one of three double-blind dosing arms for 12 weeks. Group A (n=14): 1 g/day of oral DHA; Group B (n=11): 2 g/day; and Group C (n=10): 4 g/day. We measured HAM-D-17 scores, plasma DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and n-6/n-3 ratio. Completer response rates (>or=50% decrease in HAM-D-17 score) were 83% for Group A, 40% for Group B, and 0% for Group C; Groups A and B had significant decreases in HAM-D-17 scores (p<0.05). For completers and intent-to-treat subjects, plasma DHA increased significantly (p<0.05), EPA had little change (p>0.05), and n-6/n-3 decreased significantly (p<0.05). DHA may be effective for depression at lower doses.
Mischoulon
David
D
Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States. dmischoulon@partners.org
Best-Popescu
Catherine
C
Laposata
Michael
M
Merens
Wendelien
W
Murakami
Jessica L
JL
Wu
Shirley L
SL
Papakostas
George I
GI
Dording
Christina M
CM
Sonawalla
Shamsah B
SB
Nierenberg
Andrew A
AA
Alpert
Jonathan E
JE
Fava
Maurizio
M
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D005227:Fatty Acids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid