UA Pilot Study of
Omega-3 Fatty Acids as Treatment for Postpartum
Depression Shows Promise;
New Study Seeking Participants
Jan. 23, 2006
Contact: Jean Spinelli
or George Humphrey, (520) 626-7301
or
A pilot study of omega-3 fatty acids for
postpartum depression (PPD) by the Department
of Psychiatry at The University of
Arizona College of Medicine in
PPD - defined as a major depressive episode
with onset within one month of live childbirth - has broad, long-lasting
consequences for a woman and her infant. Studies have shown that children of
affected mothers may experience impaired attachment, and PPD may adversely
affect behavioral and cognitive development.
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated
essential fatty acids found in fish and associated with several health benefits
in humans, including prevention and treatment of heart disease. In mood
disorders, studies have reported higher rates of both major depression in
general, and also specifically PPD, associated with lower per capita seafood
consumption.
Omega-3 fatty acids also play a role in
pregnancy and infant health, including optimal neurodevelopment in the
developing baby and in infants. Women's stores of essential fatty acids
progressively decrease due to the developing baby's high demand for omega-3
fatty acids in utero and during
breastfeeding.
"Because of the demands placed on the
mother's supply of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation, omega-3
fatty acids are intriguing as a treatment option for PPD," says study Principal
Investigator Marlene P. Freeman,
MD, director, UA Women's Mental Health Program, and assistant
professor, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and nutrition, UA College of
Medicine. "Minimal data are available regarding standard antidepressant efficacy
for the treatment of PPD. Some women refuse medications during pregnancy and/or
breastfeeding because the long-term effects of antidepressants on the infant are
unknown. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is associated with health benefits
and is an attractive potential treatment."
The eight-week pilot study assessed the
effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids - specifically a combination of
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) - in 16 women who
were experiencing PPD. Participants were assigned randomly to one of three
different dosage groups: 0.5, 1.4, or 2.8 grams per day. A placebo-only group
was not included because of the exploratory purposes of the study. The study
used EPAX Omega-3 oil (with a ratio of EPA to DHA of 1.5 to 1) provided by
Among all three doses, patients with PPD
improved substantially during the trial, says Dr. Freeman. "Scores on depression
measures decreased by approximately 50 percent, and differences were
statistically significant." The omega-3 fatty acids were well-tolerated.
"The interpretation of our findings is
limited by small sample size and lack of a placebo-control group, but the
improvements observed among all treatment groups suggest omega-3 fatty acids may
have efficacy as a treatment for PPD," says Dr. Freeman. "These findings
especially are compelling, considering that omega-3 fatty acids offer health
benefits to the mother and also to her infant if she is breastfeeding."
A larger, placebo-controlled study of
omega-3 fatty acids and PPD, in which participants also receive supportive
psychotherapy (talk therapy), now is under way at the UA. To find out if you
qualify, contact Marcy, UA Department of Psychiatry, (520) 626-3273.
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sguthrie@email.arizona.edu
To read about the
expansion of the UA College of Medicine in Phoenix go to http://www.phoenix.medicine.arizona.edu/About/News/Campus/