Open AccessThe effect of omega‐3 fatty acids on clinical and paraclinical features of intractable epileptic patients: a triple blind randomized clinical trial
Author(s) -
Omrani Shaghayegh,
Taheri Mohammad,
Omrani Mir Davood,
ArsangJang Shahram,
GhafouriFard Soudeh
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
clinical and translational medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.125
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 2001-1326
DOI - 10.1186/s40169-019-0220-2
Subject(s) - docosahexaenoic acid , eicosapentaenoic acid , placebo , medicine , epilepsy , randomized controlled trial , omega 3 fatty acid , refractory (planetary science) , clinical trial , gastroenterology , polyunsaturated fatty acid , pharmacology , fatty acid , biochemistry , chemistry , biology , psychiatry , pathology , alternative medicine , astrobiology
Long chain omega‐3 fatty acids (omega‐3 FAs) supplements have been shown to exert beneficial effects in patients with epilepsy through elevation of seizure thresholds and dampening of inflammatory responses. In this triple blind randomized, placebo‐controlled parallel group trial of omega‐3 FA supplementation, 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as well as placebo capsules were administered twice a day in 50 patients with refractory seizure during a 16‐week period respectively. Seizure frequency and duration were reduced after completion of the treatment in the supplement group. The supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in TNF‐α and IL‐6 concentrations. Further studies are needed to compare different omega‐3 FA compositions and determine the most effective dose and treatment duration as well as the long term benefits of this supplementation.