JCAP – Omega-3 FA Treatment in Autism

Meiri G, Bichovsky Y, Belmaker RH.

Source

Soroka University Medical Center , Beersheba, Israel. belmaker@bgu.ac.il

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of omega-3 fatty acids for children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).

METHODS:

This was an open-label pilot study. Ten children aged 4-7 years old with ASD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4(th) edition (DSM-IV), were given 1 gram daily of omega-3 fatty acids for 12 weeks. The main outcome measure used was the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). These data were collected between July, 2006, and June, 2007.

RESULTS:

Of the 9 subjects who completed the study, 8 showed improvement of about 33% on the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). None worsened and no side effects were reported.

CONCLUSIONS:

Omega-3 fatty acids appear to be safe and might be helpful for children suffering from ASD. Further study is needed with a larger number of children in a double-blind design and with various doses of omega-3 fatty acids.

PMID:

 

19702497

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]