biostudies-literatureWu SKMinistry of Education (MOE), TaiwanAn-Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan, TaiwanChina Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.Higher Education Sprout Project by the Ministry of Education (MOE), TaiwanChina Medical University Hospital, Taichung, TaiwanNational Science and Technology Council (NSTC)China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan3688https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11547719biostudies-literatureUnknown16(21)<h4>Objective</h4>Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (<i>n</i>-3 PUFAs) have demonstrated protective effects in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients receiving antidepressant treatment. However, there have been a few double-blind randomized controlled trials focused on <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs as monotherapy in MDD, and the outcomes have been mixed. This study aimed to assess the clinical effects of <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs monotherapy in patients with MDD.<h4>Methods</h4>A total of 60 patients with MDD participated in this 12-week double-blind randomized controlled trial. They were randomized to either the <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs group (n = 30; 3.2 g of eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA per day) or the placebo group (n = 30; 3.2 g of soybean oil per day). The severity of depression was evaluated using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD).<h4>Results</h4>The <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs group had a significantly lower HRSD score compared with the placebo group at week 4 (<i>p</i> = 0.004), week 6 (<i>p</i> = 0.006), week 8 (<i>p</i> = 0.004), and week 12 (<i>p</i> = 0.01). The <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs group showed slightly higher rates for both remission (26.7% vs. 10%, <i>p</i> = 0.095) and response (23.3% vs. 6.7%, <i>p</i> = 0.145) compared with the placebo group at week 12, but these differences did not reach statistical significance.<h4>Conclusions</h4>These findings suggested that monotherapy of <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs could improve depression and potentially serve as an alternative option for MDD patients.NutrientsThe Efficacy of Omega-3 Fatty Acids as the Monotherapy for Depression: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study.PMC11547719ANHRF 110-13, 111-52, 112-24, 112-47, 113-24, 113-38, 113-40111-245DMR-110-124, 111-245, 112-097, 112-086, 112-109, 112-232, DMR-HHC-109-11, HHC-109-12, HHC-110-10, and HHC-111-8110-2320-B-039-047-MY3CMRC-CMA-2113-210111-SR-73111-2321-B-006-008113-40112-232110-N-17DMR-HHC-109-11112-097110-13110-2811-B-039-507111-2314-B-039-041-MY3HHC-111-8113-24110-2813-C-039-327-B113-2923-B-039-001-MY3110-2321-B-006-004110-AWARD-02110-2314-B-039-029-MY3DMR-110-124109-2320-B-038-057-MY3113-2320-B-281-001HHC-110-10HHC-109-12112-086NSTC 109-2320-B-038-057-MY3, 110-2321-B-006-004, 110-2811-B-039-507, 110-2320-B-039-048-MY2, 110-2320-B-039-047-MY3, 110-2813-C-039-327-B, 110-2314-B-039-029-MY3, 111-2321-B-006-008, 111-2314-B-039-041-MY3, and 113-2923-B-039-001-MY3113-38112-47; CMU 110-AWARD-02, 110-N-17, 111-SR-73112-24112-109110-2320-B-039-048-MY2111-52113-2314-B-039-046Yang KJMalau IASu KPWu SKHuang SYLiu WCChang CHChang JPChiu WCZailani HfalseThe Efficacy of Omega-3 Fatty Acids as the Monotherapy for Depression: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study.<h4>Objective</h4>Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (<i>n</i>-3 PUFAs) have demonstrated protective effects in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients receiving antidepressant treatment. However, there have been a few double-blind randomized controlled trials focused on <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs as monotherapy in MDD, and the outcomes have been mixed. This study aimed to assess the clinical effects of <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs monotherapy in patients with MDD.<h4>Methods</h4>A total of 60 patients with MDD participated in this 12-week double-blind randomized controlled trial. They were randomized to either the <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs group (n = 30; 3.2 g of eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA per day) or the placebo group (n = 30; 3.2 g of soybean oil per day). The severity of depression was evaluated using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD).<h4>Results</h4>The <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs group had a significantly lower HRSD score compared with the placebo group at week 4 (<i>p</i> = 0.004), week 6 (<i>p</i> = 0.006), week 8 (<i>p</i> = 0.004), and week 12 (<i>p</i> = 0.01). The <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs group showed slightly higher rates for both remission (26.7% vs. 10%, <i>p</i> = 0.095) and response (23.3% vs. 6.7%, <i>p</i> = 0.145) compared with the placebo group at week 12, but these differences did not reach statistical significance.<h4>Conclusions</h4>These findings suggested that monotherapy of <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs could improve depression and potentially serve as an alternative option for MDD patients.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Oct2026-04-08T19:47:34.926Z2025-04-06T18:25:44.447ZS-EPMC115477193951952110.3390/nu16213688