Fish Oil for the Treatment of Depression in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
Fish Oil for the Treatment of Depression in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
This study will determine whether fish oil can reduce depression in people with multiple
 sclerosis (MS) who are mild to moderately depressed and are currently taking antidepressant
 medication.

 Study hypothesis: Three months of fish oil supplementation will improve depression scores on
 the Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS) or Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
 better than placebo.
Depression occurs in 50% to 60% of all individuals with MS. Evidence suggests that the
 omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements can significantly reduce depression with a low
 risk of side effects. Therefore, fish oil supplements may be a safe adjunctive therapy to
 improve the therapeutic benefits of antidepressants. This study will determine the
 effectiveness of fish oil supplements in reducing depression in MS patients who are taking
 antidepressant medication.

 This study will last 3 months. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either fish
 oil supplements or placebo daily for 3 months. At the end of 3 months, participants who show
 an improvement in their depressive symptoms will have the option to continue their treatment
 for an additional 3 months. Participants will do no respond to treatment will be excused from
 the study. All participants will remain on their antidepressants and MS medication throughout
 the study. Participants will have weekly study visits. At each visit, participants will be
 asked about their general health, and self-report scales will be used to assess depressive
 symptoms. Medication adherence will be monitored by pill counts and through red blood cell
 fatty acid analysis. Blood collection will occur at study start and at study completion.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS

 -  Diagnosis of depressive disorder

 -  Score between 11 and 30 on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)

 -  Score of 25 or greater on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

 -  Currently taking antidepressant medication for at least 3 months prior to study entry

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Currently taking fatty acid supplements

 -  Consume more than 6 oz of fish per week within 1 month prior to study entry

 -  Severe depression

 -  Suicidal thoughts

 -  Other psychological disorders

 -  Currently taking more than two types of antidepressants

 -  Any serious medical condition that would interfere with the study

 -  Worsening of MS symptoms or corticosteroid treatment within 1 month prior to study
 entry

 -  Current enrollment in another fish oil study

 -  Pregnancy