Omega-3 supplementation in juvenile bipolar disorder

Background: Supplementation with long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn-3PUFA), including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), may be beneficial in the treatment of depression in children and bipolar disorder (BD) in adults. Aims: To examine the change in symptoms of mania and depression in participants with juvenile BD (JBD) following supplementation with LCn-3PUFA. Method: Eighteen participants with JBD received supplements containing 1.92 g day⁻¹ LCn-3PUFA, including 360 mg day⁻¹ EPA and 1560 mg day⁻¹ DHA, for 6 weeks. Fasting Red Blood Cell (RBC) LCn-3PUFA, mania, depression and global function were measured before and after supplementation. Results: RBC EPA and DHA increased significantly following supplementation. Symptoms of mania and depression were significantly lower and global functioning was significantly higher following supplementation. Changes in RBC LCn-3PUFA were not significantly related to changes in mania or depression. Conclusion: Supplementation with omega-3 was associated with a reduction in mania and depression in participants with JBD when given in an open-label manner. A larger randomised controlled trial appears warranted in this participant population.