Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on mood and emotional information processing in recovered depressed individuals
Abstract
Beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids have been reported for several psychiatric disorders, particularly for depression. Association studies show a relationship between omega-3 intake and depression risk. Meta-analyses of clinical trials have shown a moderate effect of supplementation on depressive symptoms, but not on normal mood states. Few studies have investigated effects on cognition. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of omega-3 supplements on cognition and mood of recovered depressed individuals. Seventy-one participants were randomized to receive either omega-3 or placebo for four weeks in a randomized double-blind design. Results showed small effects of omega-3 supplementation on aspects of emotional decision-making and on self-reported states of depression and tension. Some of the effects were confounded by learning effects. No significant effects were observed on memory, attention, cognitive reactivity and depressive symptoms. While inconclusive, the present findings may indicate that omega-3 supplementation has selective effects on emotional cognition and mood in recovered depressed participants.
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Supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in an RCT was effective in improving aspects of emotional information processing in individuals recovered from major depressive disorder.
“However, supplementation with n-3 PUFAs in an RCT was effective in improving aspects of emotional information processing in individuals recovered from MDD [140].”
From Cognitive remission: a novel objective for the treatment of major depression? (2016) · cites this paper as [140]
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- Authors
- Antypa, N., Smelt, A. H., Strengholt, A., & Van der Does, A. W.
- Affiliations
- Leiden University (NL)
- Leiden University Medical Center (NL)
- Leiden University, Institute of Psychology, Leiden, The Netherlands
- ORCID
- Antypa, Niki
- Venue
- Journal of Psychopharmacology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2011-10-16
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 738-743
- ISSN
- 0269-8811 (ISSN-L)
- 1461-7285
- OpenAlex
- W2025219503
- Cited by
- 48
- References
- 24
- Citations by year
- 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.48
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
- Leiden Repository (Leiden University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Keywords
- omega-3 fatty acids, dietary supplementation, depression, recovered depression, mood, emotional processing, emotional decision-making, cognitive reactivity, memory, attention, tension, learning effects
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Affect, Cognition, Decision Making, Depression, Depressive Disorder, Double-Blind Method, Emotions, Female, Humans, Male, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Dietary Supplements, Young Adult
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