SynthesisThe British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science2016
Efficacy of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids in the treatment of depression.
Registry-linked trialOpen access · bronzeAbstract readMeta-AnalysisReview
In one paragraph
Synthesis in The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT04210804 (A Prophylactic Trial of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Bipolar Disorder), which is not on this map. Cited by 74 papers, 9 of them syntheses that pooled it.
0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
74citing papers in PubMed, 9 pooled it
19.9field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
A Prophylactic Trial of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Bipolar Disorder
Who cites it
74 citing papers in PubMed, 9 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 186 citations in OpenAlex.
- Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for depression in children and adolescents.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2024Pooled it
- Nutraceuticals in Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review.International journal of molecular sciences · 2024Pooled it
- Omega-3 PUFAs' efficacy in the therapy of coronary artery disease combined with anxiety or depression: a meta-analysis.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2024Pooled it
- Omega-3 fatty acids for depression in adults.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2021Pooled it
- Role of dietary factors in the prevention and treatment for depression: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of prospective studies.Translational psychiatry · 2021Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: What is Their Role in Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders?International journal of molecular sciences · 2019Pooled it
- Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis.Translational psychiatry · 2019Pooled it
- Association of Use of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids With Changes in Severity of Anxiety Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.JAMA network open · 2018Pooled it
- ω-3 Fatty Acids in Pediatric Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.JAMA network open · 2026Trial
- Effects of omega-3 supplementation on psychological symptoms in men with prostate cancer: Secondary analysis of a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial.Cancer medicine · 2023Trial
- Low linoleic acid foods with added DHA given to Malawian children with severe acute malnutrition improve cognition: a randomized, triple-blinded, controlled clinical trial.The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2022Trial
- ω-3 Ethyl ester results in better cognitive function at 12 and 30 months than control in cognitively healthy subjects with coronary artery disease: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2021Trial
- A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Omega-3 and Sertraline in Depressed Patients With or at Risk for Coronary Heart Disease.The Journal of clinical psychiatry · 2019Trial
- Omega-3 supplementation from pregnancy to postpartum to prevent depressive symptoms: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2017Trial
- Omega-3 Supplementation and the Neural Correlates of Negative Affect and Impulsivity: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Midlife Adults.Psychosomatic medicine · 2017Trial
- Blood Fatty Acid Profile as a Predictor of Antidepressant Efficacy-A Prospective Cohort Pilot Study Protocol.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- From Plate to Mind: Scientific Perspectives on Foods That May Influence Anxiety and Depression.Nutrients · 2026Review
- Molecular Mechanisms of Accelerated Ageing in Geriatric Depression: Interplay of Telomere Attrition, Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Cellular Senescence.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Review
- Relationship Between Obesity and Depression Considering the Inflammatory Theory.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025Review
14 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Brian HallahanBrian Hallahan, MRCPsych, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland; Timothy Ryan, BA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Joseph R. Hibbeln, MD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Ivan T. Murray, MRCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland; Shauna Glynn, MRCPsych, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Castlebar, Mayo, Ireland; Christopher E. Ramsden, MD, John Paul SanGiovanni, ScD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; John M. Davis, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA brian.hallahan@nuigalway.ie.
Timothy RyanBrian Hallahan, MRCPsych, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland; Timothy Ryan, BA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Joseph R. Hibbeln, MD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Ivan T. Murray, MRCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland; Shauna Glynn, MRCPsych, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Castlebar, Mayo, Ireland; Christopher E. Ramsden, MD, John Paul SanGiovanni, ScD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; John M. Davis, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Joseph R HibbelnBrian Hallahan, MRCPsych, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland; Timothy Ryan, BA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Joseph R. Hibbeln, MD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Ivan T. Murray, MRCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland; Shauna Glynn, MRCPsych, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Castlebar, Mayo, Ireland; Christopher E. Ramsden, MD, John Paul SanGiovanni, ScD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; John M. Davis, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Ivan T MurrayBrian Hallahan, MRCPsych, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland; Timothy Ryan, BA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Joseph R. Hibbeln, MD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Ivan T. Murray, MRCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland; Shauna Glynn, MRCPsych, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Castlebar, Mayo, Ireland; Christopher E. Ramsden, MD, John Paul SanGiovanni, ScD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; John M. Davis, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Shauna GlynnBrian Hallahan, MRCPsych, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland; Timothy Ryan, BA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Joseph R. Hibbeln, MD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Ivan T. Murray, MRCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland; Shauna Glynn, MRCPsych, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Castlebar, Mayo, Ireland; Christopher E. Ramsden, MD, John Paul SanGiovanni, ScD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; John M. Davis, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Christopher E RamsdenBrian Hallahan, MRCPsych, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland; Timothy Ryan, BA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Joseph R. Hibbeln, MD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Ivan T. Murray, MRCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland; Shauna Glynn, MRCPsych, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Castlebar, Mayo, Ireland; Christopher E. Ramsden, MD, John Paul SanGiovanni, ScD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; John M. Davis, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
John Paul SanGiovanniBrian Hallahan, MRCPsych, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland; Timothy Ryan, BA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Joseph R. Hibbeln, MD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Ivan T. Murray, MRCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland; Shauna Glynn, MRCPsych, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Castlebar, Mayo, Ireland; Christopher E. Ramsden, MD, John Paul SanGiovanni, ScD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; John M. Davis, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
John M DavisBrian Hallahan, MRCPsych, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland; Timothy Ryan, BA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Joseph R. Hibbeln, MD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Ivan T. Murray, MRCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland; Shauna Glynn, MRCPsych, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Castlebar, Mayo, Ireland; Christopher E. Ramsden, MD, John Paul SanGiovanni, ScD, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; John M. Davis, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism · USNational Institutes of Health · USUniversity of Illinois Chicago · US
Funding
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS IN PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERSZ01AA000115 · NIAAA · NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM · PI HIBBELN, JOSEPH R. · 2000 to 2008
$808kIntramural NIH HHS Z01 AA000115
Abstract
backgroundTrials evaluating efficacy of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) in major depressive disorder report discrepant findings.
aimsTo establish the reasons underlying inconsistent findings among randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of omega-3 HUFAs for depression and to assess implications for further trials.
methodA systematic bibliographic search of double-blind RCTs was conducted between January 1980 and July 2014 and an exploratory hypothesis-testing meta-analysis performed in 35 RCTs including 6665 participants receiving omega-3 HUFAs and 4373 participants receiving placebo.
resultsAmong participants with diagnosed depression, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-predominant formulations (>50% EPA) demonstrated clinical benefits compared with placebo (Hedge's G = 0.61, P<0.001) whereas docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-predominant formulations (>50% DHA) did not. EPA failed to prevent depressive symptoms among populations not diagnosed for depression.
conclusionsFurther RCTs should be conducted on study populations with diagnosed or clinically significant depression of adequate duration using EPA-predominant omega-3 HUFA formulations.
Indexed as
Docosahexaenoic AcidsEicosapentaenoic AcidFatty Acids, Omega-3HumansMajor Depressive DisorderDocosahexaenoic AcidsEicosapentaenoic AcidFatty Acids, Omega-3
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
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Read underepoch 390
Registered trials
NCT04210804ClinicalTrials.gov
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.