Posted by Rick on January 24, 2002, at 22:13:18
In reply to Omega-3for the Unipolar's-quid-pro-quo for advice, posted by PaulB on January 23, 2002, at 15:56:34
Maybe you've already seen it, but this recent study seems to speak to possible usefulness of Omega3's in unipolar depression:
Int J Clin Pract 2001 Oct;55(8):560-3
Eicosapentaenoic acid in treatment-resistant depression associated with symptom remission, structural brain changes and reduced neuronal phospholipid turnover.
Puri BK, Counsell SJ, Hamilton G, Richardson AJ, Horrobin DF.
MRI Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0HS, UK.
The n-3 essential fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was added to the conventional antidepressant treatment of a treatment-resistant severely depressed and suicidal male patient with a seven-year history of unremitting depressive symptoms. The niacin skin flush test and cerebral magnetic resonance scanning were carried out at baseline and nine months later. The addition of ethyl-EPA led to a dramatic and sustained clinical improvement in all the symptoms of depression, including a cessation of previously unremitting severe suicidal ideation, within one month. Symptoms of social phobia also improved dramatically. During the nine-month period the volumetric niacin response increased by 30%, the relative concentration of cerebral phosphomonesters increased by 53%, and the ratio of cerebral phosphomonesters to phosphodiesters increased by 79%, indicating reduced neuronal phospholipid turnover. Registered difference images showed that the EPA treatment was accompanied by structural brain changes including, in particular, a reduction in the lateral ventricular volume.
PMID: 11695079 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
> I have often read that the Omega-3 fatty acids can be a useful adjunct to antidepressant medication. However there seems to be an increasing amount of evidence that indicates that Omega 3 are a useful "aid" to persons who suffer from bipolar depression as opposed to unipolar depression.
>
> My interest in the Omega 3 fatty acids is because I live a stressful lifestlye and therefore want to augment my antidepressant[Sertraline]as much as possible. I take SAM-E and B-Vitamins in their co-enzyme forms and avoid recreational street drugs, caffeine and alcohol.
>
> Despite the increasing wave of evidence that the omega-3 fatty acids are useful for persons with bipola should that dissuade persons with unipolar depresion from taking them. As my post heading indicates quid-pro-quo for advice. I want to help you too. Just say when and what your going to post and Ill do my best with the other psycho-babblers to help you out. We, most of us I think are not physicians but that doesnt mean we cannot offer advice that you may find helpful or wish to take up with your physician.
> Thanks
> PaulB
poster:Rick
thread:91297
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020124/msgs/91487.html