Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can happen after exposure to a traumatic event. Post-traumatic stress disorder is common among mental health disorders that include mood and anxiety disorders. Omega-3 fatty acids (OMGs) are essential for the maintenance of brain function and prevention of cognition dysfunctions. However, the possible effect of OMG on memory impairment induced by PTSD has not been studied. In here, such an effect was explored using a rat model of PTSD. The PTSD-like behavior was induced in animals using a single-prolonged stress (SPS) rat model of PTSD (2 h restraint, 20 min forced swimming, 15 min rest, 1–2 min diethyl ether exposure). The OMG was administered orally at a dose of 100 mg omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)/100 g body weight/day. Spatial learning and memory were assessed using the radial arm water maze (RAWM) method. Changes in oxidative stress biomarkers, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and brain derived neuroptrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus following treatments were measured. The results revealed that SPS impaired both short- and long-term memory (p < 0.05). Use of OMG prevented memory impairment induced by SPS. Furthermore, OMG normalized SPS induced changes in the hippocampus that reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), GSH/GSSG ratios, the activity of catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and TBARSs levels. In conclusion, the SPS model of PTSD-like behavior generated memory impairment, whereas OMG prevented this impairment, possibly through normalizing antioxidant mechanisms in the hippocampus.

Objective: The objectives of the current study are to evaluate the prevalence of depression symptoms among breast cancer patients in Jordan and impact of the disease on patient’s quality-of-life. Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted over a 6-month period among breast cancer patients attending two major hospitals in Jordan. A validated questionnaire was used to evaluate the prevalence of depression symptoms and quality-of-life aspects among those patients utilizing Beck’s Depression Inventory-II score and 36-Item Survey Form (SF-36) score, respectively. Results: The mean age±SD of patients (n=169) was 49.12± 6.48 years. Depression symptoms were reported in 30.2% of patients. As for quality-of-life, the physical functioning (PF) subscale was significantly associated with the patient’s age (P=0.03). The role-physical (RP) subscale was associated with number of sleeping hours (P=0.038). Marital status of breast cancer patients was significantly associated with role-emotional (RE) (P=0.015) and mental health (MH) (P=0.009) subscales. The number of patient’s siblings was significantly associated with daily habits such as PF (P=0.031) and RP (P=0.005) subscales. Moreover, the occupation of patients was associated with the PF (P=0.041) and MH (P=0.049). Conclusion: About one-third of breast cancer patients reported depression symptoms. Quality-of-life subscales among those patients were associated with multiple social and health determinants, such as age, marital status, number of siblings, occupation, and number of sleeping hours. There is urgent need to support this group of patients to help them to cope with depression symptoms and to improve their quality-of-life.