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A randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids as a treatment for depression during the perinatal period

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

A-M Rees ,
G Parker  and
M-P Austin
A-M Rees
Affiliation:
The Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
G Parker
Affiliation:
The Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
M-P Austin
Affiliation:
The Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
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Abstract

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Type
Abstracts from ‘Brainwaves’— The Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research Annual Meeting 2006, 6–8 December, Sydney, Australia
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 18 , Issue 6 , December 2006 , pp. 267 - 268
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 Blackwell Munksgaard

Background:

Epidemiological studies assessing rates of postnatal depression in relation to levels of fish consumption and reduced levels of omega-3 in the perinatal period indicate a possible link between lowered long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and perinatal depression.

Aim:

To assess whether omega-3 fatty acid treatment is superior to placebo in the treatment of perinatal depression.

Methods:

In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled treatment trial, we recruited women from third trimester to 6 months postpartum with a diagnosis of major depression. Treatment was for 6 weeks with either 6 g of fish oil or placebo. Weekly follow-up was carried out by a psychiatrist and depression rating scales recorded. Fatty acid analysis was conducted on blood samples collected at baseline and posttreatment trial.

Results:

There was significant improvement in depression scores for the treatment group during the trial. However, a repeated-measures ANOVA showed no statistically significant difference between treatment and placebo groups using intention-to-treat analysis. Trend for efficacy differentiation were noted when nonresponders and rapid remitters were excluded.

Conclusions:

These results are likely to be affected by a strong placebo response, which is a common problem in clinical trials for the treatment of depression. Further study is needed in this area because treatment options are limited for perinatal depression.