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The Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (Tdcs) and Omega-3 on Food Craving, Executive Functions, Weight, and Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Depression and Overweight: A Randomized Controlled Trial Publisher



Tabasi M1 ; Mostafavi SA2, 3 ; Oreyzi H1 ; Mohammadi MR2 ; Khaleghi A2
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
  2. 2. Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Psychology, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

Source: Iranian Journal of Psychiatry Published:2024


Abstract

Objective: The most important hypothesis of this research was based on the fact that the mechanism of the effect of omega-3 on depression and obesity is formed through its accumulation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), especially in women. Accordingly, we investigated the omega-3 intake and the concurrent stimulation of the DLPFC by tDCS and hypothesized that the synergy of these two treatments can increase the obtained effect size in patients with depression and overweight. Method: This research was a double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a factorial design consisting of four treatment and control groups. The participants were females with depression and overweight on an outpatient basis. They received 5 ml/day omega-3 syrup (545 mg DHA, 620 mg EPA) or placebo adjunct with 12 sessions sham/tDCS stimulation administered for 3 weeks with anode-left/cathode-right protocol in the prefrontal cortex (1.5 mA, 15 minutes’ stimulation / 15-20 minutes’ rest intervals/one visit per week, 4 stimulations per visit). Results: tDCS or omega-3 alone did not significantly improve the executive functions, depression, food cravings, and weight in the experimental groups compared to the control group (P > 0.05). However, tDCS adjunct with the omega-3 had a significant and positive effect on improving weight change (P = 0.011; df = 1; F = 1.27; Eta = 0.108) with a power of 0.73 compared to the control group. Furthermore, their interaction led to an improving trend in executive functions and a decreasing trend in food cravings which are clinically important. Conclusion: tDCS could strengthen the omega-3 mechanisms of effect through stimulating its accumulation site in the brain (i.e., the DLPFC) and the synergistic effects of these two treatments result in weight control as well as an improvement trend in the executive functions and food craving in women. Copyright © 2024 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
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