Omega-3 fatty acids are increasingly recognised as playing an important role in human brain development and mental health. The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) include omega-3 and omega-6 fats which are essential fatty acids (EFAs), consumed via the diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly abundant in fish oils. The omega-3 fatty acids are being focused on for their role in depression, the main types being docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is abundant in neural tissue, and also eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) which is biologically very active. There is an emerging literature in relation to omega-3 fatty acid blood levels in depression and the effects of treatment with omega-3. Strong epidemiological evidence has also been published indicating an association between a population's fish intake and depression rates. A specific research focus on omega-3 as a treatment for depression in the perinatal period is also starting to emerge. The importance of this particular area is enhanced by the knowledge that omega-3 depletion occurs during the perinatal period due to fetal diversion for neurodevelopment. In view of the lay public promotion of omega-3 and its appeal to women as a 'natural therapy', there is a need to scientifically evaluate its effectiveness to treat depression in the perinatal period. It is also important to investigate omega-3 as an alternative to antidepressants given the ongoing uncertainties regarding their safety in pregnancy. In this thesis a literature review presents current research relating to this field. This is followed by a description of the methodology and results for the two trials conducted. The results of the double-blind randomised placebo controlled trial of omega-3 as a treatment for depression in the perinatal period were essentially negative. However this result is limited by the small sample size in the study and therefore it may be unwise to interpret the result as conclusive. The case-control study confirmed the hypothesis that omega-3 levels were more depleted in depressed women compared to non-depressed women. A discussion of the results and trial limitations then follows in the thesis. It is concluded that further larger studies are warranted in this area.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 44 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 30-33).

Zugl.: Hamburg, Hochsch. für Angewandte Wissenschaften, Diplomarbeit, 2004.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 76-85).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, and Rheumatology Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, 1994. / Errata slip inserted. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 178-199).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2004. / Typescript. This thesis is subject to a 12 month embargo (06/09/05 - 14/09/05) and may only be viewed and copied with the permission of the author. For further information please contact the Archivist. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 195-216.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 161-174) Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2009. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 115 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2009. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-111). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2009. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 51 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.