TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2006//
TI  - Omega-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acid status as a predictor of future suicide risk
JO  - American journal of psychiatry
A1  - Sublette, M. Elizabeth
A1  - Hibbeln, J. R.
A1  - Galfalvy, Hanga
A1  - Oquendo, Maria A.
A1  - Mann, J. John
SP  - 1100
EP  - 1102
VL  - 163
IS  - 6
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0002-953X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.163.6.1100
ID  - ref1
ER  -