Blood concentrations of omega-3 in participants with juvenile bipolar disorder compared to healthy controls

Background: A deficiency of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn-3PUFA), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has been reported in adults with depression and bipolar disorder (BD). Aims: To examine LCn-3PUFA status in children and adolescents with juvenile BD (JBD) compared to healthy controls and the relationship with symptoms of mania and depression. Method: Fifteen participants (9-18 yrs) with JBD and fifteen age and sex-matched controls were assessed for dietary intake and red blood cell (RBC) LCn-3PUFA. Results: RBC EPA and DHA were significantly lower in participants with JBD compared to controls, but not after controlling for LCn-3PUFA intake. RBC DHA was also negatively related to clinician ratings of depression and participant ratings of aggression. Conclusion: Lower RBC LCn-3PUFA in JBD was explained by lower intakes in the current study. Given previous evidence linking deficiencies of LCn-3PUFA to BD, a randomised placebo-controlled study examining supplementation with LCn-3PUFA as an adjunct to standard pharmacotherapy appears warranted in this participant population.