@article{ref1,
title="Omega-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acid status as a predictor of future suicide risk",
journal="American journal of psychiatry",
year="2006",
author="Sublette, M. Elizabeth and Hibbeln, J. R. and Galfalvy, Hanga and Oquendo, Maria A. and Mann, J. John",
volume="163",
number="6",
pages="1100-1102",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: Low levels of docosahexaenoic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, and elevated ratios of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids are associated with major depression and, possibly, suicidal behavior. Predicting risk of future suicidal behaviors by essential fatty acid status merits examination. METHOD: Plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in phospholipids were measured in 33 medication-free depressed subjects monitored for suicide attempt over a 2-year period. Survival analysis examined the association of plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid status and pathological outcome. RESULTS: Seven subjects attempted suicide on follow-up. A lower docosahexaenoic acid percentage of total plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids and a higher omega-6/omega-3 ratio predicted suicide attempt. CONCLUSIONS: A low docosahexaenoic acid percentage and low omega-3 proportions of lipid profile predicted risk of suicidal behavior among depressed patients over the 2-year period. If confirmed, this finding would have implications for the neurobiology of suicide and reduction of suicide risk.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0002-953X",
doi="10.1176/appi.ajp.163.6.1100",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.163.6.1100"
}