Statins beat the blues

Drugs for inflammation ‘can combat depression’

PAINKILLERS, statins and fish oil may help to cure or reduce depression, say researchers.

All three can reduce inflammation and a scientific review has found that such drugs, many of which are available over the counter, are almost 80 per cent more effective at eliminating depression than dummy pills.

Experts believe inflammation – the body’s reaction to problems such as stress and poor diet – may trigger depression.

However, the review’s conclusion is based on an assessment of just four studies looking at a painkiller used for arthritis and three looking at statins.

It looked at 26 studies in total involving more than 1,600 people, who were mainly taking omega 3 supplements such as fish oil pills but also other anti-inflammatory treatments such as steroids and antibiotics.

Authors of the review, led by Huazhong University in China, wrote: ‘The results … suggest anti-inflammatory agents play an antidepressant role.’

Professor Ed Bullmore, head of the department of psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, who was not involved in the research, said: ‘This should encourage further consideration of ways in which we could use a range of anti-inflammatory interventions to help people with depression.’

The review, in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, did not consider ibuprofen or aspirin. It suggests antiinflammatory drugs might help patients when used in combination with anti-depressants.