Fish acids good for the brain

Eating fatty fish is already thought to help cure depression, but a simpler method to treat the illness may soon be available as pharmaceutical companies plan drugs based on fish acids.

An antidepressant drug based on eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acid found in fish could be available in two years, David Horrobin, researcher at the privately owned British Laxdale, said at a psychiatrists' conference.

Most of the human brain consists of fat, but about a fifth of that fat cannot be formed by the body and people have to get it from their diet, Horrobin said.

Two studies published so far have shown that EPA in a pure form helped reduce depression in patients who had not earlier responded to antidepressants or who had initially responded but then seen a setback.

"It is surprising how strong the effect is. It is a very big effect compared with standard antidepressants," Horrobin said, adding that two new studies, soon to be published, showed similar results.

Research has shown that fish and seafood consumption correlates with depression, so populations and individuals who consume much fatty fish are less prone to depression.

This might explain why depression is rare in Far Eastern countries, such as Japan, where fish is a popular food, and more commonplace in North European states.

The US Food and Drug Administration had given researchers a lot of guidance and the authority was likely to speed up the drug's entry into the markets, Horrobin said.

"If the dossier is complete, they [the FDA] could give it fast-track approval," he said.

He said an emerging research theme was the link between depression and heart problems. EPA and another fat acid, docosahexaenoic (DHA), could also be used to treat and prevent cardiovascular problems.

A drug based on the pure form of fish acids would make it possible to treat patients with an optimal dose, but a couple of weekly helpings of fatty fish - such as herring or sardines - may also help fight depression, Horrobin said.

EPA and DHA acids can also be found in meat and eggs but in small amounts.

All green vegetables, especially flax seeds, have the ingredient, but fish is by far the best source.

"It really looks like grandma was right, fish is good for your brain," Horrobin said.

- REUTERS

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