Sophia Frangou

Publications (2)10.43 Total impact

• Article: Associations between n-3 PUFA concentrations and cognitive function after recovery from late-life depression.

  Chih-Chiang Chiu, Sophia Frangou, Ching-Jui Chang, Wei-Che Chiu, Hsing-Cheng Liu, I-Wen Sun, Shen-Ing Liu, Mong-Liang Lu, Chun-Hsin Chen, Shih-Yi Huang, Michael E Dewey, Robert Stewart
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  ABSTRACT: Lower concentrations of n-3 PUFAs have been reported to be associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, but also with depression-itself a potential risk factor for cognitive decline. The aims of this study were to investigate associations between n-3 PUFA concentrations in erythrocyte membrane or plasma and cognitive function in an at-risk sample of older people with previous major depression and to explore specificity with respect to cognitive domains. A cross-sectional sample of 132 eligible participants who had recovered from major depression (mean ± SD age: 67.8 ± 6.6 y) were enrolled from outpatient psychiatric services. A series of cognitive tests and a structured questionnaire were administered. Fasting blood samples were collected for n-3 PUFA measurements. Higher EPA and total n-3 PUFA concentrations and a lower ratio of arachidonic acid to EPA in erythrocyte membranes were associated with a higher cognitive composite score: independent of age and sex, but no longer significant after adjustment for education. No associations were found with plasma concentrations of any fatty acid. Considering individual cognitive tests, the strongest and most consistent correlations were found between immediate recall and concentrations of total n-3 PUFAs and α-linolenic acid (ALA) in erythrocytes, which were observed only in participants with recurrent depression. Total erythrocyte n-3 PUFA concentrations are positively associated with cognitive function, particularly immediate recall, in older people with previous depression. Lower concentrations of n-3 PUFAs or ALA in erythrocyte membranes may be good predictors for cognitive impairment in older people with previous recurrent depression.
  American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 01/2012; 95(2):420-7. · 6.67 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Lindsay Mcdermott

  Article: Associations of polyunsaturated fatty acids with residual depression or anxiety in older people with major depression.

  Ayesha Jadoon, Chih-Chiang Chiu, Lindsay McDermott, Phil Cunningham, Sophia Frangou, Ching-Jui Chang, I-Wen Sun, Shen-Ing Liu, Mong-Liang Lu, Kuan-Pin Su, Shih-Yi Huang, Robert Stewart
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  ABSTRACT: Depression in late life often follows a chronic course with residual depressive and anxiety symptoms. Levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been found to be depleted in people with major depression in the acute stage. Additionally, lower omega-3 PUFA levels have been suggested to be associated with anxiety. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PUFAs levels (omega-3 or omega-6) are correlated with residual depressive or anxiety symptoms in older people with previous depression. Participants aged 60 years or over with previous major depression in remission were enrolled from outpatient psychiatric services of four hospitals. Participants with residual depressive symptoms were defined as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores>5, and those with anxiety were defined as sum of scores for the two anxiety subscale of HDRS≧2. The levels of fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes and in plasma were measured separately by gas chromatography. One hundred and thirty two older people with previous major depression (mean age of 68 years, range 60-86 years) were analyzed. Erythrocyte membrane linoleic acid levels had a curvilinear association with depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms. Plasma linoleic acid levels were found to have a negative linear relationship with depressive symptoms. No significant associations were found between any omega-3 fatty acid level and depressive or anxiety symptoms. Linoleic acid levels may be a possible biomarker for residual depression and anxiety in older people with previous depression. Possible clinical applications need further investigation.
  Journal of affective disorders 11/2011; 136(3):918-25. · 3.76 Impact Factor