Omega-3 fatty acid monotherapy for pediatric bipolar disorder: a prospective open-label trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To test the effectiveness and safety of omega-3 fatty acids (Omegabrite(R) brand) in the treatment of pediatric bipolar disorder (BPD).

METHOD:

Subjects (N=20) were outpatients of both sexes, 6 to 17 years of age, with a DSM-IV diagnosis of BPD and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score of >15 treated over an 8-week period in open-label trial with omega-3 fatty acids 1290 mg-4300 mg combined EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).

RESULTS:

Subjects experienced a statistically significant but modest 8.9+/-2.9 point reduction in the YMRS scores (baseline YMRS=28.9+/-10.1; endpoint YMRS=19.1+/-2.6, p<0.001). Adverse events were few and mild. Red blood cell membrane levels of EPA and DHA increased in treated subjects.

CONCLUSIONS:

As only 35% of these subjects had a response by the usual accepted criteria of >50% decrease on the YMRS, omega-3 fatty acids treatment was associated with a very modest improvement in manic symptoms in children with BPD.

• Authors: Janet Wozniak, Joseph Biederman, Eric Mick, James Waxmonsky, Liisa Hantsoo, Catherine Best, Joanne E Cluette-Brown, Michael Laposata
• Journal: European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (Eur Neuropsychopharmacol) 2007 May-Jun Vol. 17 Issue 6-7 Pg. 440-7 ISSN: 0924-977X [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 17258897 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Fatty Acids, Omega-3

Topics

• Adolescent
• Bipolar Disorder (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Child
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3 (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Prospective Studies
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales