Omega-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acid status as a predictor of future suicide risk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Low levels of docosahexaenoic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, and elevated ratios of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids are associated with major depression and, possibly, suicidal behavior. Predicting risk of future suicidal behaviors by essential fatty acid status merits examination. METHOD: Plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in phospholipids were measured in 33 medication-free depressed subjects monitored for suicide attempt over a 2-year period. Survival analysis examined the association of plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid status and pathological outcome. RESULTS: Seven subjects attempted suicide on follow-up. A lower docosahexaenoic acid percentage of total plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids and a higher omega-6/omega-3 ratio predicted suicide attempt. CONCLUSIONS: A low docosahexaenoic acid percentage and low omega-3 proportions of lipid profile predicted risk of suicidal behavior among depressed patients over the 2-year period. If confirmed, this finding would have implications for the neurobiology of suicide and reduction of suicide risk.
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Blood plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid levels have been linked to the serotonin-mediated relationship between low cholesterol and suicidal behaviour, suggesting low omega-3 may impair serotonin function.
“Blood plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid levels have also been implicated in the serotonin-mediated link between low cholesterol and suicidal behaviour, suggesting that low omega-3 fatty acid levels may have a negative impact on serotonin function (Sublette 2006).”
From Interventions for self-harm in children and adolescents (2021) · cites this paper as Sublette 2006
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Sublette, M. E., Hibbeln, J. R., Galfalvy, H., Oquendo, M. A., & Mann, J. J.
- Affiliations
- New York State Psychiatric Institute (US)
- Venue
- American Journal of Psychiatry
- Published
- 2006-06
- Volume
- 163
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1100-1102
- ISSN
- 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
- 1535-7228
- OpenAlex
- W2129643943
- Cited by
- 230
- References
- 15
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 15.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH-062185, T-32 MH-6434-24, P50MH062185)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Keywords
- omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid, n-6/n-3 ratio, suicide risk, suicide attempts, major depressive disorder, plasma phospholipid fatty acids, suicide risk prediction
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Major Depressive Disorder, Docosahexaenoic Acids, Fatty Acids, Essential, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Phospholipids, Pilot Projects, Probability, Prognosis, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Suicide, Suicide, Attempted, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Survival Analysis, Fatty Acids, Omega-6
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