A double-blind dose-finding pilot study of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for major depressive disorder

David Mischoulon; Catherine Best-Popescu; Michael Laposata; Wendelien Merens; Jessica L. Murakami; Shirley L. Wu; George I. Papakostas; Christina M. Dording; Shamsah B. Sonawalla; Andrew A. Nierenberg; Jonathan E. Alpert; Maurizio Fava

doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2008.04.011

A double-blind dose-finding pilot study of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for major depressive disorder

David Mischoulon, Catherine Best-Popescu, Michael Laposata, Wendelien Merens, Jessica L. Murakami, Shirley L. Wu, George I. Papakostas, Christina M. Dording, Shamsah B. Sonawalla, Andrew A. Nierenberg, Jonathan E. Alpert, Maurizio Fava

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

77 Scopus citations

Abstract

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 > /= 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 (> /= 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.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	639-645
Number of pages	7
Journal	European Neuropsychopharmacology
Volume	18
Issue number	9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2008.04.011
State	Published - Sep 2008
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

DHA
Depression
Docosahexaenoic acid
EPA
Eicosapentaenoic acid
Omega-3
n-3

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pharmacology
Neurology
Clinical Neurology
Psychiatry and Mental health
Biological Psychiatry
Pharmacology (medical)

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10.1016/j.euroneuro.2008.04.011

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Mischoulon, D., Best-Popescu, C., Laposata, M., Merens, W., Murakami, J. L., Wu, S. L., Papakostas, G. I., Dording, C. M., Sonawalla, S. B., Nierenberg, A. A., Alpert, J. E., & Fava, M. (2008). A double-blind dose-finding pilot study of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for major depressive disorder. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 18(9), 639-645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2008.04.011

Mischoulon, D, Best-Popescu, C, Laposata, M, Merens, W, Murakami, JL, Wu, SL, Papakostas, GI, Dording, CM, Sonawalla, SB, Nierenberg, AA, Alpert, JE & Fava, M 2008, 'A double-blind dose-finding pilot study of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for major depressive disorder', European Neuropsychopharmacology, vol. 18, no. 9, pp. 639-645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2008.04.011

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title = "A double-blind dose-finding pilot study of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for major depressive disorder",

abstract = "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 > /= 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 (> /= 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.",

keywords = "DHA, Depression, Docosahexaenoic acid, EPA, Eicosapentaenoic acid, Omega-3, n-3",

author = "David Mischoulon and Catherine Best-Popescu and Michael Laposata and Wendelien Merens and Murakami, {Jessica L.} and Wu, {Shirley L.} and Papakostas, {George I.} and Dording, {Christina M.} and Sonawalla, {Shamsah B.} and Nierenberg, {Andrew A.} and Alpert, {Jonathan E.} and Maurizio Fava",

note = "Funding Information: Dr Alpert has received research support from Abbott Laboratories, Alkermes, Lichtwer Pharma GmbH, Lorex Pharmaceuticals, Aspect Medical Systems, Astra-Zeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Cephalon, Cyberonics, Eli Lilly and Company, Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, J&J Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Organon Inc., Pamlab, LLC, Pfizer Inc., Pharmavite, Roche, Sanofi/Synthelabo, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. He has received speakers' honoraria from: Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen, Organon. He has advisory/consultative relationships with: Eli Lilly and Company, Pamlab LLC, and Pharmavite LLC. Funding Information: Funding for this study was provided by a Young Investigator Award to Dr. Mischoulon from the National Association for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression. NARSAD had no further role in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. Funding Information: Dr Fava has received research support from Abbott Laboratories, Alkermes, Aspect Medical Systems, Astra-Zeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Cephalon, Eli Lilly and Company, Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, J&J Pharmaceuticals, Lichtwer Pharma GmbH, Lorex Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Organon Inc., Pamlab, LLC, Pfizer Inc., Pharmavite, Roche, Sanofi/Synthelabo, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. He has served as advisor/consultant for Aspect Medical Systems, Astra-Zeneca, Bayer AG, Biovail Pharmaceuticals, Inc., BrainCells, Inc. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Cephalon, Compellis, Cypress Pharmaceuticals, Dov Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly and Company, EPIX Pharmaceuticals, Fabre-Kramer Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Grunenthal GmbH, Jansse Pharmaceutica, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, J&J Pharmaceuticals, Knoll Pharmaceutical Company, Lundbeck, MedAvante, Inc., Neuronetics, Novartis, Nutrition 21, Organon Inc., Pamlab, LLC, Pfizer Inc., PharmaStar, Pharmavite, Roche, Sanofi/Synthelabo, Sepracor, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Somaxon, Somerset Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. He has received speaking honoraria from Astra-Zeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Cephalon, Eli Lilly and Company, Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Organon Inc., Pfizer Inc., PharmaStar, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. He holds equity in Compellis, and MedAvante. ",

year = "2008",

month = sep,

doi = "10.1016/j.euroneuro.2008.04.011",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "18",

pages = "639--645",

journal = "European Neuropsychopharmacology",

issn = "0924-977X",

publisher = "Elsevier",

number = "9",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - A double-blind dose-finding pilot study of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for major depressive disorder

AU - Mischoulon, David

AU - Best-Popescu, Catherine

AU - Laposata, Michael

AU - Merens, Wendelien

AU - Murakami, Jessica L.

AU - Wu, Shirley L.

AU - Papakostas, George I.

AU - Dording, Christina M.

AU - Sonawalla, Shamsah B.

AU - Nierenberg, Andrew A.

AU - Alpert, Jonathan E.

AU - Fava, Maurizio

N1 - Funding Information: Dr Alpert has received research support from Abbott Laboratories, Alkermes, Lichtwer Pharma GmbH, Lorex Pharmaceuticals, Aspect Medical Systems, Astra-Zeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Cephalon, Cyberonics, Eli Lilly and Company, Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, J&J Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Organon Inc., Pamlab, LLC, Pfizer Inc., Pharmavite, Roche, Sanofi/Synthelabo, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. He has received speakers' honoraria from: Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen, Organon. He has advisory/consultative relationships with: Eli Lilly and Company, Pamlab LLC, and Pharmavite LLC. Funding Information: Funding for this study was provided by a Young Investigator Award to Dr. Mischoulon from the National Association for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression. NARSAD had no further role in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. Funding Information: Dr Fava has received research support from Abbott Laboratories, Alkermes, Aspect Medical Systems, Astra-Zeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Cephalon, Eli Lilly and Company, Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, J&J Pharmaceuticals, Lichtwer Pharma GmbH, Lorex Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Organon Inc., Pamlab, LLC, Pfizer Inc., Pharmavite, Roche, Sanofi/Synthelabo, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. He has served as advisor/consultant for Aspect Medical Systems, Astra-Zeneca, Bayer AG, Biovail Pharmaceuticals, Inc., BrainCells, Inc. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Cephalon, Compellis, Cypress Pharmaceuticals, Dov Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly and Company, EPIX Pharmaceuticals, Fabre-Kramer Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Grunenthal GmbH, Jansse Pharmaceutica, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, J&J Pharmaceuticals, Knoll Pharmaceutical Company, Lundbeck, MedAvante, Inc., Neuronetics, Novartis, Nutrition 21, Organon Inc., Pamlab, LLC, Pfizer Inc., PharmaStar, Pharmavite, Roche, Sanofi/Synthelabo, Sepracor, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Somaxon, Somerset Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. He has received speaking honoraria from Astra-Zeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Cephalon, Eli Lilly and Company, Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Organon Inc., Pfizer Inc., PharmaStar, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. He holds equity in Compellis, and MedAvante.

PY - 2008/9

Y1 - 2008/9

N2 - 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 > /= 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 (> /= 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.

AB - 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 > /= 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 (> /= 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.

KW - DHA

KW - Depression

KW - Docosahexaenoic acid

KW - EPA

KW - Eicosapentaenoic acid

KW - Omega-3

KW - n-3

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ER -

A double-blind dose-finding pilot study of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for major depressive disorder

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