A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing Eicosapentaenoic Acid Versus Docosahexaenoic Acid for Depression

• DOI: 10.4088/jcp.14m08986
• Publication Date: 2014-09-11T20:34:21Z
• Authors: David Mischoulon; Andrew A. Nierenberg; Pamela J. Schettler; Becky L. Kinkead; Kiki Fehling; Max A. Martinson; Mark Hyman Rapaport
• Keywords: Depression; Repeated measures design

To compare 2 omega-3 (n-3) preparations enriched with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) versus docosahexaenoic (DHA) as monotherapy for major depressive disorder (MDD) in a 2-site, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.196 adults (53% female; mean [SD] age = 44.7 [13.4] years) DSM-IV MDD and baseline 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) score ≥ 15 were randomized equally from May 18, 2006, to June 30, 2011, 8 weeks of treatment oral EPA-enriched n-3 1000 mg/d, DHA-enriched 1,000 or placebo.154 subjects completed the study. Modified intent-to-treat (mITT) analysis (n 177 1 postbaseline visit; 59.3% female, 45.8 [12.5] employed mixed-model repeated measures (MMRM). All 3 groups demonstrated statistically significant improvement HDRS-17 (primary outcome measure), 16-item Quick Inventory Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR-16), Clinical Global Improvement-Severity (CGI-S) (P < .05), but neither preparation separated placebo > .05). Response remission rates range 40%-50% 30%, respectively, all treatments, no differences between groups. One subject receiving discontinued due worsening depression, an unspecified "negative reaction" pills.Neither nor was superior MDD.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00517036.