Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Bipolar Disorder - Full Text View

Purpose

This is a 12 month study of omega-3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder. This study will be a 12-month, parallel group, double-blind comparison of the prophylactic efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids vs. placebo in 120 bipolar I patients. All subjects entering the primary prophylactic study will be euthymic or have only subsyndromal mood symptoms for at least 4 weeks. In addition, their concomitant medication (only lithium, divalproex, or no medication will be permitted) will also be stable and at accepted therapeutic levels for at least 4 weeks. An 8-week lead-in phase will be available to subjects who do not meet the current symptom and concomitant medication inclusion criteria (however, subjects must meet all of the other inclusion/exclusion criteria): 1. 4 weeks of euthymic or subsyndromal mood. 2. Subjects who are not already receiving lithium or divalproex. 3. Subjects receiving other psychotropic medications.

Condition	Intervention	Phase
Bipolar Disorder	Drug: Omega-3 Fatty Acids	Phase II

MedlinePlus related topics:

Bipolar Disorder

ChemIDplus related topics:

Docosahexaenoic acids Eicosapentaenoic acid

U.S. FDA Resources

Study Type:	Interventional
Study Design:	Treatment, Double-Blind, Parallel Assignment

Official Title:	Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Bipolar Disorder Prophylaxis

Further study details as provided by National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM):

Study Start Date:	July 2000
Estimated Study Completion Date:	July 2004

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:	18 Years to 65 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:	Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:	No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Meet DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder, type I.
Have had an episode of mania, hypomania, mixed mania, or major depression within the preceding 12 months, as defined by SCID criteria.
Able to give informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients with significant medical co-morbidity, such as active hepatic or renal disease, any type of coagulopathy, lipidoses, dementia, history of significant head injury, active cancer or cancer treatment, or other medical problems which may interfere with the absorption and metabolism of omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, any medical disorder with symptoms (e.g. aphasia, encephalopathy, etc.) which would make it difficult to determine the clinical response to the study drugs.
Patients with significant psychiatric co-morbidity, such as another currently active Axis 1 or 2 disorder requiring treatment. Patients with other, active mental disorders may have psychiatric symptoms that would make it difficult to assess mood response to the study drugs. For example, a patient with significant anxiety or panic symptoms requiring medication would be excluded, whereas a patient with past or currently very mild anxiety symptoms not requiring active treatment would be eligible.
Patients receiving Coumadin, or other drugs with strong effects on coagulation will be excluded due to the theoretical increased risk of bleeding on omega-3 fatty acid therapy. Low dose or intermittent NSAIDs will be permitted.
Patients receiving drugs which affect lipid metabolism, such as HMG CoA inhibitors, high-dose niacin, gemfibrozil, and others.
Pregnant patients - due to the unknown effects of high dose omega-3 fatty acids on the fetus.
Patients who, in the investigator's judgment pose a current serious suicidal or homicidal risk, or patients who will not likely be able to comply with the study protocol.
Bipolar patients receiving clozapine. These patients will be excluded due to the likelihood of extreme treatment resistance in clozapine-treated bipolar disorder. It may be unwise to discontinue the patient's clozapine, since recurrence may occur. Also, based on uncontrolled data, clozapine may be a uniquely effective mood stabilizer, which would add a potential confound to the study.
Patients who meet DSM-IV criteria for substance abuse within 1 month of this trial or substance dependence within 3 months.

Contacts and Locations

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00010868

Locations


United States, Massachusetts
	McLean Hospital
	Belmont, Massachusetts, United States, 02478

United States, Texas
	Baylor College of Medicine
	Houston, Texas, United States, 77030

Sponsors and Collaborators

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)

Pronova Biocare

Investigators


Principal Investigator:	Andrew L. Stoll, M.D.	Mclean Hospital

More Information

Publications:

Stoll AL, Severus WE, Freeman MP, Rueter S, Zboyan HA, Diamond E, Cress KK, Marangell LB. Omega 3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder: a preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999 May;56(5):407-12.

Study ID Numbers:	R01 AT000161-02
First Received:	February 2, 2001
Last Updated:	August 17, 2006
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00010868
Health Authority:	United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM):

bipolar disorder

omega-3 fatty acids

eicosapentaenoic acid

docosahexaenoic acid

Study placed in the following topic categories:

Affective Disorders, Psychotic

Mental Disorders

Bipolar Disorder

Mood Disorders

Psychotic Disorders

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Pathologic Processes

Disease

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on October 06, 2008

Sponsors and Collaborators:	National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) Pronova Biocare
Information provided by:	National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00010868