NCT00010868

Brief Summary

This is a 12 month study of omega-3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder. This study will be a 12-month, parallel group, double-blind comparison of the prophylactic efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids vs. placebo in 120 bipolar I patients. All subjects entering the primary prophylactic study will be euthymic or have only subsyndromal mood symptoms for at least 4 weeks. In addition, their concomitant medication (only lithium, divalproex, or no medication will be permitted) will also be stable and at accepted therapeutic levels for at least 4 weeks. An 8-week lead-in phase will be available to subjects who do not meet the current symptom and concomitant medication inclusion criteria (however, subjects must meet all of the other inclusion/exclusion criteria): 1. 4 weeks of euthymic or subsyndromal mood. 2. Subjects who are not already receiving lithium or divalproex. 3. Subjects receiving other psychotropic medications.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Timeline
Completed

Started Jul 2000

Typical duration for phase_2

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 1, 2000

Completed
7 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 2, 2001

Completed
3 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 5, 2001

Completed
3.4 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

July 1, 2004

Completed
Last Updated

August 18, 2006

Status Verified

July 1, 2006

First QC Date

February 2, 2001

Last Update Submit

August 17, 2006

Conditions

Bipolar Disorder

Keywords

bipolar disorderomega-3 fatty acidseicosapentaenoic aciddocosahexaenoic acid

Interventions

Omega-3 Fatty AcidsDRUG

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 65 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Meet DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder, type I.
  • Have had an episode of mania, hypomania, mixed mania, or major depression within the preceding 12 months, as defined by SCID criteria.
  • Able to give informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

  • Patients with significant medical co-morbidity, such as active hepatic or renal disease, any type of coagulopathy, lipidoses, dementia, history of significant head injury, active cancer or cancer treatment, or other medical problems which may interfere with the absorption and metabolism of omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, any medical disorder with symptoms (e.g. aphasia, encephalopathy, etc.) which would make it difficult to determine the clinical response to the study drugs.
  • Patients with significant psychiatric co-morbidity, such as another currently active Axis 1 or 2 disorder requiring treatment. Patients with other, active mental disorders may have psychiatric symptoms that would make it difficult to assess mood response to the study drugs. For example, a patient with significant anxiety or panic symptoms requiring medication would be excluded, whereas a patient with past or currently very mild anxiety symptoms not requiring active treatment would be eligible.
  • Patients receiving Coumadin, or other drugs with strong effects on coagulation will be excluded due to the theoretical increased risk of bleeding on omega-3 fatty acid therapy. Low dose or intermittent NSAIDs will be permitted.
  • Patients receiving drugs which affect lipid metabolism, such as HMG CoA inhibitors, high-dose niacin, gemfibrozil, and others.
  • Pregnant patients - due to the unknown effects of high dose omega-3 fatty acids on the fetus.
  • Patients who, in the investigator's judgment pose a current serious suicidal or homicidal risk, or patients who will not likely be able to comply with the study protocol.
  • Bipolar patients receiving clozapine. These patients will be excluded due to the likelihood of extreme treatment resistance in clozapine-treated bipolar disorder. It may be unwise to discontinue the patient's clozapine, since recurrence may occur. Also, based on uncontrolled data, clozapine may be a uniquely effective mood stabilizer, which would add a potential confound to the study.
  • Patients who meet DSM-IV criteria for substance abuse within 1 month of this trial or substance dependence within 3 months.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

McLean Hospital

Belmont, Massachusetts, 02478, United States

Location

Baylor College of Medicine

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Stoll AL, Severus WE, Freeman MP, Rueter S, Zboyan HA, Diamond E, Cress KK, Marangell LB. Omega 3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder: a preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999 May;56(5):407-12. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.56.5.407.

    PMID: 10232294BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bipolar Disorder

Interventions

Fatty Acids, Omega-3

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Bipolar and Related DisordersMood DisordersMental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Dietary Fats, UnsaturatedDietary FatsFatsLipidsFatty Acids, UnsaturatedFatty AcidsFish OilsOils

Study Officials

  • Andrew L. Stoll, M.D.

    Mclean Hospital

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 2
Masking
DOUBLE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
NIH

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 2, 2001

First Posted

February 5, 2001

Study Start

July 1, 2000

Study Completion

July 1, 2004

Last Updated

August 18, 2006

Record last verified: 2006-07

Locations

US(2)