ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of different ratios of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids(ω-3 PUFA)on depression and cognitive impairment in patients with major depression.Methods A randomized,double-blinded controlled trial was used to randomly assign patients with depression to a cognitive improvement group,a depression improvement group,and a placebo group.The cognitive improvement group took 1388 mg of docosahexaenoic acid(DHA)and 692 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA)every day and the depression improvement group took 1248 mg of EPA and 832 mg of DHA every day.The placebo group took the same dose of soybean oil for 12 weeks,during which psychiatric medication was maintained.The 24-item Hamilton depression scale(HAMD-24)was used to evaluate depressive symptoms,and the standardized MATRICS consensus cognitive battery(MCCB)was used to evaluate cognitive function after 6 weeks and 12 weeks,respectively.Results The study recruited a total of 46 patients with depression including 22 in the cognitive improvement group,12 in the depression improvement group,and 12 in the placebo group.After 6 weeks of treatment,the HAMD-24 scores were significantly lower in the depression improvement group(19.00±10.70)and cognitive improvement group(16.58±9.39)than in the placebo group(31.10±10.03)(P<0.01).After 12 weeks of treatment,HAMD-24 scores were significantly lower in the depression improvement group(13.58±8.43)than in the placebo group(28.10±15.04)(P=0.02).No significant interaction effect was found on the cognitive assessment scores in any dimension after 6 weeks and 12 weeks of treatment(P>0.05).The incidence rate of adverse events in the depression improvement group was 16.7%(2/12),and no adverse events were reported in the other two groups.There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events among the three groups(P=0.13).Conclusion Treatment with ω-3PUFA for 6 weeks can improve the depressive symptoms of patients with depression.The formula with a higher ratio of EPA exhibits higher effectiveness while the two groups of ω-3PUFA formulas with different ratios do not improve cognitive function.