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Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Blood of Children and Adolescents with Juvenile Bipolar Disorder

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Lipids

Abstract

Reduced long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn-3PUFA), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been reported in adult patients suffering from depression and bipolar disorder (BD). LCn-3PUFA status has not previously been examined in children and adolescents with BD compared with healthy controls. Fifteen children and adolescents (9–18 years, M ± SD = 14.4 ± 3.48) diagnosed with juvenile bipolar disorder (JBD) and fifteen healthy age and sex-matched controls were assessed for dietary intake and fasting red blood cell (RBC) membrane concentrations of LCn-3PUFA. Fatty acid concentrations were compared between participants diagnosed with JBD and controls after controlling for dietary intake. RBC membrane concentrations of EPA and DHA were not significantly lower in participants diagnosed with JBD compared with healthy controls (M ± sem EPA = 3.37 ± 0.26 vs. 3.69 ± 0.27 µg/mL, P = 0.458; M ± sem DHA = 22.08 ± 2.23 vs. 24.61 ± 2.38 µg/mL, P = 0.528) after controlling for intake. Red blood cell DHA was negatively (r = −0.55; P = 0.044) related to clinician ratings of depression. Although lower RBC concentrations of LCn-3PUFA were explained by lower intakes in the current study, previous evidence has linked reduced LCn-3PUFA to the aetiology of BD. As RBC DHA was also negatively related to symptoms of depression, a randomised placebo-controlled study examining supplementation with LCn-3PUFA as an adjunct to standard pharmacotherapy appears warranted in this patient population.

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Abbreviations

AA:

Arachidonic acid

BYI:

Beck Youth Inventories

CBCL:

Child Behaviour Checklist

C-GAS:

Global Assessment Scale for Children

CGI:

Clinical Global Impressions scale

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid

HAM-D:

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale

JBD:

Juvenile bipolar disorder

LCn-3PUFA:

Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid

MDD:

Major depressive disorder

TMRS:

Tripartite Mood Rating Scale

YMRS:

Young Mania Rating Scale

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Acknowledgments

We thank the expert technical assistance of Robert Blake for advice on LCn-3PUFA analysis and Melinda Phang for assistance in conducting analyses. We also thank staff from the Hunter Area Pathology Service for assistance with blood collection and Dr Trent Watson for advice on the preparation of this manuscript. This study was conducted without dedicated external funding. This study was supported from in-kind donations from the Nutraceuticals Research Group and Hunter New England Area Health Service. Dr Clayton, Dr Hanstock, Mr Hirneth, Dr Kable, Professor Garg and Professor Hazell have previously received in-kind donations of omega-3 capsules from NuMega Ingredients Pty Ltd. The authors do not have any other financial interests or potential conflicts of interest in connection with this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Pine Gully Rd, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2650, Australia

    Edward H. Clayton

  2. Nutraceuticals Research Group, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia

    Edward H. Clayton & Manohar L. Garg

  3. The Bipolar Program, Hunter New England Area Health Service, Newcastle, NSW, Australia

    Tanya L. Hanstock, Stephen J. Hirneth & Colin J. Kable

  4. School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia

    Tanya L. Hanstock

  5. School of Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia

    Tanya L. Hanstock

  6. Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Philip L. Hazell

  7. Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medical Practice and Population Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia

    Philip L. Hazell

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  1. Edward H. Clayton
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  2. Tanya L. Hanstock
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  3. Stephen J. Hirneth
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Correspondence to Edward H. Clayton.

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Clayton, E.H., Hanstock, T.L., Hirneth, S.J. et al. Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Blood of Children and Adolescents with Juvenile Bipolar Disorder. Lipids 43, 1031–1038 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-008-3224-z

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