Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) share the common biological mechanisms of anti-inflammation and neuroplasticity with current antidepressant agents. The heterogeneity of depression could be reflected by the limits of pharmacotherapy and pharmacological classification based on serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Controversially, the agents that inhibit (i.e., SSRI & SNRI), enhance (i.e., SSRE), or even neglect (i.e., NDRI & SGAs) the serotonin reuptake action could all be approved to be antidepressant treatments, which seem to share common mechanisms of anti-inflammation and neuroplasticity. Interestingly, these two biological mechanisms are applicable not only for antidepressant agents from different categories but also for omega-3 PUFAs.
SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; SNRI, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors; SSRE, selective serotonin reuptake enhancer; NDRI, norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor; SGA, second generation antipsychotic.
