A clinician completed the HRSD every month for a total period of six months. From the 10 patients who completed at least one month of follow-up, eight showed a significant decrement of HRSD scores.3 This indicates that omega-3 fatty acid intake may be safe, effective and well-tolerated compound in the treatment for depression. The results are somewhat questionable due to the very small sample size, time course and optimal dose of EPA.
While some researchers have chosen to examine the relationship between omega-3 fatty acid intake alone and depression, others have chosen to examine the relationship between omega-3 fatty acid with fluvoxamine (which is a mood-stabilizing medication), and depression. Bipolar disorder type I is a psychiatric syndrome that can be treated with mood–stabilizing medication, as well as other interventions. According to multiple studies, omega-3 fatty acid is also an effective treatment for many mental disorders related with deep depression. The purpose of this clinical trial was to analyze the effects of omega-3 fatty acid with fluvoxamine compared to fluvoxamine alone in patients diagnosed with a deep phase of bipolar disorder type I.4.
In this metabolic study, 80 patients with bipolar disorder type I who were in the major depressive phase, were assigned to one of two groups: the case group, which received 50 to 300mg of fluvoxamine a day, and one to three capsules a day of omega-3 fatty acid a day, and the control group, which took only 50 to 300mg of fluvoxamine a day.4 Measures of depression were analyzed by using the HRSD. Also, measures of depression were analyzed via data collected through demographic questionnaires provided at the beginning of the study as well as week 2, 4, 8 and 12.
Results showed that both groups experienced a significant decrease in depression according to HRSD as well as patient functionality.4 Repeated test measures showed a greater decrease of depression levels in the case group.