Supplementation of Omega-3 Increases Serum Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Decreases Depression Status in Patients With Bipolar Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

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#humans #brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor #bipolar-disorder #male #double-blind-method

Supplementation of Omega-3 Increases Serum Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Decreases Depression Status in Patients With Bipolar Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Gholipour et al., 2025 | J Hum Nutr Diet | Rct

Citation

Gholipour Dina, Shahraki Mansour, ... Shamsi-Goushki Ali. Supplementation of Omega-3 Increases Serum Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Decreases Depression Status in Patients With Bipolar Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2025-Jun;38(3):e70076. doi:10.1111/jhn.70076

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is a direct relationship between omega-3 and major depression. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids on serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and depression status in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). METHODS: This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 60 men with BD. The patients were grouped into two groups and received 2 g/day of omega-3 supplements or a placebo daily for 2 months. The serum concentrations of BDNF and depression scores were investigated before and after the intervention. Afterward, the data were analyzed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: The supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids significantly increased the serum concentration of BDNF compared to pre-intervention (0.449 ± 0.110 ng/mL vs. 0.756 ± 0.160 ng/mL) and also decreased the scores on the Hamilton test (40.13 ± 9.51 vs. 22.40 ± 7.49) (p < 0.05). The results also showed that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids significantly increased the serum concentration of BDNF (0.756 ± 0.160 ng/mL vs. 0.504 ± 0.154 ng/mL) and decreased the scores on the Hamilton test compared to the placebo group (22.40 ± 7.49 vs. 29.35 ± 6.08) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, daily supplementation with 2 g of omega-3 fatty acids for 2 months decreased depression scores and increased serum concentrations of BDNF in BD patients compared to the placebo group.

Key Findings

The supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids significantly increased the serum concentration of BDNF compared to pre-intervention (0.449 ± 0.110 ng/mL vs. 0.756 ± 0.160 ng/mL) and also decreased the scores on the Hamilton test (40.13 ± 9.51 vs. 22.40 ± 7.49) (p < 0.05). The results also showed that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids significantly increased the serum concentration of BDNF (0.756 ± 0.160 ng/mL vs. 0.504 ± 0.154 ng/mL) and decreased the scores on the Hamilton test compared to t

Outcomes Measured

  • depression

Population

Field Value
Population bipolar disorder
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition depression

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Male
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Adult
  • Middle Aged
  • Depression
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Vertical: omega-3-bipolar

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09