Abstract
Major recurrent mood disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) are associated with significant psychosocial morbidity and excess premature mortality primarily attributable to suicide and coronary heart disease. Limited efficacy and adverse side-effects associated with psychotropic medications used in the treatment of MDD and BD highlight the urgent need to develop safe and efficacious treatments or treatment adjuncts. A body of evidence now indicates that long-chain omega-3 (LCn-3) fatty acid deficiency is a feature associated with MDD and BD. The etiology of LCn-3 deficits in MDD and BD patients may be attributable to both genetic and environmental factors. Dietary LCn-3 supplementation is safe and well-tolerated with chronic administration and corrects LCn-3 deficiency in MDD and BD patients. LCn-3 supplementation has been found to augment the therapeutic efficacy of psychotropic medications in the treatment of mood symptoms and to reduce suicidality. Preliminary studies also suggest that LCn-3 supplementation is efficacious as monotherapy in the treatment and prevention of psychopathology in children and adolescents. LCn-3 supplementation is also associated with reduced risk for developing coronary heart disease. The overall cost-benefit ratio associated with LCn-3 supplementation provides a strong rationale to diagnose and treat LCn-3 deficiency in MDD and BD patients, and to prevent LCn-3 deficiency in subjects at high risk for developing these disorders.
Keywords: Bipolar disorder, coronary heart disease, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, major depressive disorder, suicide.
Current Drug Discovery Technologies
Title:Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency in Mood Disorders: Rationale for Treatment and Prevention
Volume: 10 Issue: 3
Author(s): Robert K. McNamara
Affiliation:
Keywords: Bipolar disorder, coronary heart disease, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, major depressive disorder, suicide.
Abstract: Major recurrent mood disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) are associated with significant psychosocial morbidity and excess premature mortality primarily attributable to suicide and coronary heart disease. Limited efficacy and adverse side-effects associated with psychotropic medications used in the treatment of MDD and BD highlight the urgent need to develop safe and efficacious treatments or treatment adjuncts. A body of evidence now indicates that long-chain omega-3 (LCn-3) fatty acid deficiency is a feature associated with MDD and BD. The etiology of LCn-3 deficits in MDD and BD patients may be attributable to both genetic and environmental factors. Dietary LCn-3 supplementation is safe and well-tolerated with chronic administration and corrects LCn-3 deficiency in MDD and BD patients. LCn-3 supplementation has been found to augment the therapeutic efficacy of psychotropic medications in the treatment of mood symptoms and to reduce suicidality. Preliminary studies also suggest that LCn-3 supplementation is efficacious as monotherapy in the treatment and prevention of psychopathology in children and adolescents. LCn-3 supplementation is also associated with reduced risk for developing coronary heart disease. The overall cost-benefit ratio associated with LCn-3 supplementation provides a strong rationale to diagnose and treat LCn-3 deficiency in MDD and BD patients, and to prevent LCn-3 deficiency in subjects at high risk for developing these disorders.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
McNamara Robert K., Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency in Mood Disorders: Rationale for Treatment and Prevention, Current Drug Discovery Technologies 2013; 10 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570163811310030006
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570163811310030006 |
Print ISSN 1570-1638 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6220 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advancements in Computational Methods for Drug Design
This thematic issue delves into the cutting-edge computational methodologies revolutionizing drug design. Emphasizing the integration of in silico techniques, this collection highlights advancements in some computational methods, as: molecular docking, molecular dynamics, QSAR (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship) and free energy calculations. These approaches enhance the efficiency of drug discovery, reduce costs, ...read more
Disease Modelling: Emerging Frontiers in Disease Modelling: Data to Drug Discovery in Bioinformatics in Precision Medicine and Health Science
The special issue on "Emerging Frontiers in Disease Modelling: Data to Drug Discovery in Bioinformatics in Precision Medicine and Health Science" aims to explore the transformative role of bioinformatics in bridging the gap between extensive biological data and the development of targeted therapies. This issue will highlight cutting-edge research and ...read more
Novel drug delivery therapeutics: Opportunities and challenges for combating diseases
The field of drug delivery therapeutics has undergone significant transformation with the emergence of innovative technologies designed to enhance therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes. As traditional drug administration methods encounter limitations in terms of efficacy, safety, and patient compliance, novel drug delivery systems offer promising solutions to these challenges. Advancements ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Pharmacogenomics of Human Multidrug Resistance Associated Proteins
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Exploring Pharmacological Significance of Chalcone Scaffold: A Review
Current Medicinal Chemistry Reactive Oxygen Species: Physiological Roles in the Regulation of Vascular Cells
Current Molecular Medicine The Pathophysiology of Sleep Apnoea: What We have Learned from Animal Models of Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy and Long QT Syndrome
Current Pediatric Reviews Renin-Angiotensin System and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathophysiology: From the Potential Interactions to Therapeutic Perspectives
Protein & Peptide Letters Nutrition and Physical Activity on Hypertension: Implication of Current Evidence and Guidelines
Current Hypertension Reviews The Complex Link Between Schizophrenia and Dementia: Targeting Ca2+/cAMP Signalling
Current Pharmaceutical Design Do Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) Contribute to the Comorbidities of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
Current Pharmaceutical Design An In-Silico Investigation of Anti-Chagas Phytochemicals
Current Clinical Pharmacology Role of Natriuretic Peptide Family in Cardiovascular Medicine
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors and Colorectal Cancer: what is new?
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Review of the Syntheses and Activities of Some Sulfur-Containing Drugs
Current Organic Synthesis The Impact of Uncontrolled Hypertension on the Longitudinal Systolic Function of the Left Ventricle
Current Hypertension Reviews Animal Models of Narcolepsy
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death in Persons Living with HIV Infection
Current HIV Research Emerging Strategies and Challenges for Controlled Delivery of Taxanes: A Comprehensive Review
Current Drug Metabolism Blood Biomarkers in Cardioembolic Stroke
Current Cardiology Reviews Gene Therapy for Type I Glycogen Storage Diseases
Current Gene Therapy Obesity-Associated Hypertension in Childhood: A New Epidemic Problem
Current Hypertension Reviews