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.
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 depressedpatients over the 2-year period. If confirmed, this finding would have implications for the neurobiology of suicide and reduction of suicide risk.
Authors: M Elizabeth Sublette; C J Segal-Isaacson; Thomas B Cooper; Shiva Fekri; Nora Vanegas; Hanga C Galfalvy; Maria A Oquendo; J John Mann Journal: J Am Diet Assoc Date: 2011-01
Authors: Maria A Oquendo; Gregory M Sullivan; Katherin Sudol; Enrique Baca-Garcia; Barbara H Stanley; M Elizabeth Sublette; J John Mann Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 2014-10-31 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: William H Coryell; Douglas R Langbehn; Andrew W Norris; Jian-Rong Yao; Lilian N Dindo; Chadi A Calarge Journal: Psychiatry Res Date: 2017-06-21 Impact factor: 3.222
Authors: Robert K McNamara; Jessica Able; Yanhong Liu; Ronald Jandacek; Therese Rider; Patrick Tso; Jack W Lipton Journal: J Psychiatr Res Date: 2008-11-04 Impact factor: 4.791