Omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of depression

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method of treating patients with major depression by administering omega-3 fatty acids. These may be administered in a substantially purified form, as part of a pharmaceutical composition, or as part of a larger molecule, e.g., a triacylglycerol, which releases free fatty acid after ingestion by a patient. The present invention is also directed to triacylglycerols which are esterified at the gamma cardon of glycerol to phosphocholine and at either the alpha or beta carbon of glycerol to an omega-3 fatty acid. These “omega-3 phoshatidylcholines” are also used in the treatment of patients with major depression.

1 . A method of treating a human patient for unipolar major depression, comprising administering an omega-3 fatty acid to said patient at a dosage sufficient to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of unipolar major depression.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said omega-3 fatty acid is administered at a dose of between about 1 and about 30 grams per day.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said omega-3 fatty acid is in a substantially pure form.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said omega-3 fatty acid is eicosapentanoic acid.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said eicosapentanoic acid is administered at a dose of between about 2 and about 10 grams per day.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said omega-3 fatty acid is docosahexanoic acid.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said docosahexanoic acid is administered at a dose of between about 1 and about 5 grams per day.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said omega-3 fatty acid is alpha-linolenic acid.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective dose of at least one member of lithium, a pharmaceutical antidepressant, an herbal antidepressant, an anticonvulsant, a mood stabilizer, an antipsychotic agent, and a benzodiazepine.  
   
   
       10 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A kit comprising a carrier containing in close confinement therein one or more components, wherein: 
 a) a first component contains an omega-3 fatty acid; and    b) a second component contains a psychotropic medication useful in the treatment of unipolar major depression.    
   
   
       22 . The kit of  claim 21  wherein: 
 a) said first component contains an omega-3 fatty acid selected from the group consisting of eicosapentanoic acid, docosahexanoic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid; and    b) said second component is selected from the group consisting of lithium, pharmaceutical antidepressant, an herbal antidepressant, an anticonvulsant, a mood stabilizer, an antipsychotic agent, and a benzodiazepine.    
   
   
       23 - 27 . (canceled)