Objective To investigate the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids combined with sertraline on depressive mood, memory function, and cognitive function in adolescent patients with first depressive episode.

Methods 46 adolescent patients with their first depressive episode were randomly divided into a control group (n = 22) and an observation group (n = 24). Both groups were treated with sertraline. The control group took 3 placebo capsules at noon every day, while the observation group took 3 fish oil capsules at noon every day, for 8 consecutive weeks. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), Revised Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) were used to assess depressive mood, memory function, and cognitive function at baseline, week 4, and week 8.

Results In the fourth week of treatment, the HAMD-17 scores of both groups of patients decreased compared with baseline (P＜0.01), while the WMS scores of both groups and the MoCA scores of the observation group increased compared with baseline (P＜0.05 to P＜0.01); and the MoCA scores of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P＜0.05). At the 8th week of treatment, the HAMD-17 scores of both groups of patients decreased compared with baseline (P＜0.01), while the WMS and MoCA scores of both groups increased compared to before treatment (P＜0.01); and the observation group had higher scores than the control group in all aspects (P＜0.05 to P＜0.01).

Conclusions Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can improve depressive mood and cognitive function in adolescent patients with their first depressive episode.