Bottomline:This study adds to the growing body of evidence that arachidonic acid plays a role in bipolar disorder (BPD), and higher levels of this omega-6 fat are associated with increased severity of symptoms. Bipolar Disord. 2007 Nov;9(7):759-65.

Summary: Researchers analyzed blood levels of 10 bipolar patients, recently hospitalized for an acute manic episode.  They evaluated omega-3 fats (DHA and EPA), omega-6 fat (arachidonic acid), and related metabolites, and  compared these levels to those of 10 healthy volunteers.  An increase in the severity of manic symptom was associated with a high ratio of arachidonic acid to EPA, which according to the researchers, could indicate that a brain imbalance of fatty acids, of omega-6 fats greater than omega-6 fats, may be a non-specific contributor to illness in either mood direction.   

Study Quote: "These preliminary findings imply that optimizing the ratio of n-6 to n-3 PUFAs in the plasma, through dietary or drug interventions, may prove to be a favorable adjunct treatment for preventing or diminishing the manic phase in BPD."

Comment: Many of the mania medications (lithium, valproate and carbamazepine) work by lowering arachidonic acid in the brain. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2007 Nov-Dec;77(5-6):239-46.

Link to Free Full Text:
Sublette ME, Bosetti F, DeMar JC, Ma K, Bell JM, Fagin-Jones S, Russ MJ, Rapoport SI. Plasma free polyunsaturated fatty acid levels are associated with symptom
severity in acute mania. Bipolar Disord. 2007 Nov;9(7):759-65.