The Association between Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake and Human Brain Connectivity in Middle-Aged Depressed Women.

Seon-Joo Park,Chang-Ho Lee,Young-Don Son,Do-Kyung Lee,Kyoung-Sae Na,Hae-Jeung Lee,Bokyoung Kim

doi:10.3390/nu12082191

Seon-Joo Park, Chang-Ho Lee + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082191

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Abstract

Omega-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) intake is known to have a preventive effect on depressive symptoms in a general population. This study assessed the effects of n-3 FA intake on depressive symptoms and brain function in middle-aged women. Depressive symptoms were screened using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale (CES-D) assessment questionnaires, and n-3 FA intakes were assessed using semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. We found that n-3 FA intakes were negatively associated with depressive symptoms in middle-aged women. Psychiatrists diagnosed the presence of depressive disorders using the 5th edition of the Mental Disorder Diagnosis and Statistics Manual (DSM-5). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was performed to investigate the association between n-3 FA intake and brain functional connectivity. Functional connectivity of the right middle frontal cortex (default mode network) and the right middle temporal pole (frontoparietal network) was positively associated with depressive symptom scores and negatively associated with n-3 FA intakes. In conclusion, high n-3 FA intake decreases the risk of depressive symptoms and modifies the brain functional connectivity in middle-aged women.

Highlights

Depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in the world
This study aimed to examine the association between omega-3 fatty acid and depression in middle-aged women and to identify the brain connectivity associated with fatty acid intake and score of depression scales (Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale (CES-D)) among depressed subjects by using resting-state-Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)-based analysis
An accumulation of epidemiological research results has revealed that a high intake of omega-3 fatty acids (α-LA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) can decrease the risk of major depressive disorder (MDD) [9,29]

Summary

Introduction

Depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in the world. Health Organization has estimated that more than 264 million people have depressive symptoms, and more women are affected by depression than men worldwide [1]. 9.1%) of adults aged >19 years had depression, based on responses to Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9, with adults aged ≥70 years having the highest prevalence of depression (11.2%) [2]. Menopause is associated with depression in women because estrogen deficiency may increase susceptibility to depression [3]. Nutrients 2020, 12, 2191 reduced risk of severe depression [4]. In a longitudinal observational study, peri-menopausal and postmenopausal women were at a higher risk of depression than premenopausal women [5]

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