omega 6/3 ratio linked to suicide risk!

[Lani]

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jun 30 - A low serum docosahexaenoic acid level and elevated omega-6/omega-3 ratio predict suicidal behavior among patients with major depression, results of a study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry suggest.

"Depressive disorders are associated with low levels of omega-3 plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids and elevated omega-6/omega-3 ratios, while augmentation with omega-3 plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids is reportedly therapeutic," Dr. J. John Mann and colleagues from Columbia University, New York, write. "However, there is disagreement regarding a possible link between plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids status and suicidal behavior."

In a prospective study, the researchers examined whether an association exists between plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid status and suicide attempt. They measured plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid levels and percentages of total phospholipid fatty acids for docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, and omega-6/omega-3 ratio in depressed patients monitored for suicide attempt over 2 years. Depression and suicidal thoughts were measured using the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation.

Of 33 subjects included in the analysis, three were lost to follow-up. Seven patients made at least one suicide attempt. The patients had a mean duration of illness of 16.6 years and a mean of 3.7 prior episodes of depression. Overall, 53% of the participants had a history of previous suicide attempt.

The authors report that a lower docosahexaenoic acid percentage of total phospholipid fatty acids and higher omega-6/omega-3 ratios were predictive of suicide attempts. "Of the clinical and demographic variables, only age and suicidal ideation had significant correlations with docosahexaenoic acid percentages of total phospholipid fatty acids (age: p = 0.02; ideation: p = 0.02)," Dr. Mann's team writes.

"If confirmed, this finding would have implications for the neurobiology of suicide and reduction of suicide risk," the authors conclude.

Am J Psychiatry 2006;163:1100-1102.

[R.B.]

Thanks Lani.

They did a trial in the far east based on brain fat pathology of persons who died by suicide and it came up with similar conclusions.

RB