Omega-3 supplementation improves depressive symptoms, cognitive function and niacin skin flushing response in adolescent depression: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Background: Depressive disorder in adolescents is a major health problem with inadequate treatment. Omega-3 (0)3) polyunsaturated fatty acids are a promising adjuvant therapy in adult depression. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of adjuvant 0)3 treatment on depressive symptoms in adolescent depression. Secondarily, we explored the effects of 0)3 on cognitive function and memory and niacin skin flushing response (NSFR), as their robust associations with adolescent depression. Methods: A total of 71 adolescents with depression (aged 13-24; 59.2 % female) were randomly assigned to receive 0)3 plus Paxil (n = 34) or Paxil alone (n = 37) for 12 weeks. Primary outcome was depression severity according to scores on Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Secondary outcomes were cognitive function and memory, and NSFR. Results: Significant improvements in depressive symptoms over time (p = 0.00027 at week 12) were observed in the 0)3 + Paxil group compared with Paxil group. Additionally, in the 0)3 + Paxil group, significant improvements in memory over time, and greater cognitive function and NSFR were also observed compared with the Paxil group; the NSFR was negatively correlated with MADRS scores at baseline. Limitations: The trial was open label; thus, the outcome measures should be viewed as preliminary since inherent bias in outcomes due to the potential of a placebo effect. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that adjuvant 0)3 treatment is effective for reducing depressive symptoms as well as improving cognitive function, memory and the NSFR; these results suggest 0)3 is a promising adjuvant treatment for adolescent depression.