Acute effects of psilocybin, LSD, mescaline found to be similar
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update September 3, 2023 DOI: 10.1002/pu.31079 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
Vitamin D3 and omega-3 supplements do not protect against late-life depression, even in older adults with subthreshold depressive symptoms or high risk factors such as anxiety or impaired daily activities. In a two-year trial, participants received either vitamin D3 (2,000 IU/day) and omega-3s (1 g/day) or a placebo. About 95% took at least two-thirds of the supplements. Those with subthreshold depression had a higher risk of developing depression, but neither supplement reduced that risk or improved mood scores compared to placebo. Low overall depression rates limited the study's statistical power. The findings do not support using these supplements for preventing late-life depression.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial (ancillary study) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Older adults with subthreshold depression or at high risk for depression |
| Keywords | Medicine Psychology |
| Key finding | Neither vitamin D3 nor omega-3 supplements reduced the risk of depression or improved mood scores compared with placebo in older adults with subthreshold depression or high risk factors. |
Abstract
Vitamin D3, omega-3s show no protection against late-life depression Some older adults with subthreshold depression or at high risk for depression might have elevated inflammation or poor vascular and metabolic health, suggesting that supplementation could improve mood in these individuals. An ancillary study to a trial of vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acids examined the effects of these supplements on indicated and selective prevention of late-life depression. The ancillary study included participants with subthreshold depression, defined as having clinically meaningful depressive symptoms without meeting DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder or dysthymia, and those with at least one high risk factor for depression, such as clinical anxiety or impaired activities of daily living. All participants in the larger trial received vitamin D3 2,000 IU/day and omega-3s 1 g/day or placebo. At 2-year follow-up, around 95% of all participants were taking at least two-thirds of the study supplements. Risk of incident depression at 2-year follow-up was higher in participants who had subthreshold depression. Neither vitamin D3 nor omega-3s affected risk of depression or change in mood scores compared with placebo. The investigators acknowledged that low overall case rates of depression limited the statistical power of the findings. They wrote in conclusion, “Findings do not support use of supplemental vitamin D3 or omega-3s for indicated and selective prevention of late-life depression.” [Vyas, C., et al. (2023). J Clin Psychiatry. https:// doi.org/10.4088/JCP.22m14629] ■