In a groundbreaking study published in Neurobiology of Stress, researchers have found that omega-3 fatty acids can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in young mice subjected to stress. This discovery offers hope for new treatments for adolescent depression in humans, as major depressive disorder has been increasingly affecting young adults globally, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adolescents often find existing treatments for depression ineffective or harmful, leading researchers to explore alternative treatments. One such potential treatment is omega-3 fatty acids, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and are commonly found in fish oil.
The study aimed to understand whether omega-3 could counteract the effects of stress-induced depression in juvenile mice. Stress was simulated using ultrasound frequencies, and the mice were given a diet either with omega-3 supplements or a placebo.
The results were promising. Mice treated with omega-3 showed a marked improvement in behavior, displaying less anxiety-like and depressive-like symptoms compared to those on a regular diet. For instance, they showed a preference for consuming sugar water, indicating an absence of anhedonia (an inability to experience pleasure with activities that usually bring pleasure), which is a key symptom of depression.
Mice that consumed omega-3 also exhibited less anxiety-like behaviors, such as spending more time in the center of an empty square box, a sign of reduced anxiety.
In addition to behavioral changes, omega-3 intake led to changes in metabolism in the brain, blood, and liver, as well as a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a molecular basis for the behavioral improvements. However, levels of the hormone cortisone, which was induced by stress from the ultrasound, remained at high levels, indicating that omega-3 may not affect all stress-related hormonal pathways.
While these findings are encouraging, it is important to note that the results from a mouse model may not directly translate to humans. The study was authored by Tatyana Strekalova, Daniel Radford-Smith, Isobel K. Dunstan, Anna Gorlova, Evgeniy Svirin, Elisaveta Sheveleva, Alisa Burova, Sergey Morozov, Aleksey Lyundup, Gregor Berger, Daniel C. Anthony, and Susanne Walitza.
