Abstract
Several open studies and a small number of small clinical trials have been performed with omega-3 fatty acids in autism. These trials were based both on the reported etiological abnormalities of fatty acid metabolism in autism and also on the reported efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in other syndromes such as obsessive compulsive disorder and depression. This literature is too small to summarize by a meta-analysis. However, in summarizing this data it appears too early to recommend omega-3 fatty acid as standard treatment. However, data suggests that some subgroups of autistic patients and individual patients may benefit significantly from this treatment and that further research and clinical trial are indicated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Amminger GP, Berger GE, Schafer MR, Klier C, Friedrich MH, Feucht M. Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in children with autism: a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study. Biol Psychiatry. 2007;61:551–3.
Belmaker RH, Bersudsky Y, Agam G. Individual differences and evidence based psychopharmacology. BMC Medicine. 2012;10:110–113.
Belmaker RH, Levine J. Inositol in treatment of psychiatric disorders. In: Mischoulon D, Rosenbaum JF, editors. Alternative medications and the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008. p. 105–15.
Bent S, Bertoglio K, Ashwood P, Bostrom A, Hendren RL. A pilot randomized controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids for autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2011;41:545–54.
Bent S, Bertoglio K, Hendren RL. Omega-3 fatty acids for autistic spectrum disorder: a systematic review. J Autism Dev Disord. 2009;39:1145–54.
Einat H, Belmaker RH. The effects of inositol treatment in animal models of psychiatric disorders. J Affect Disord. 2001;62:113–21.
Einat H, Clenet F, Shaldubina A, Belmaker RH, Bourin M. The antidepressant activity of inositol in the forced swim test involves 5-HT(2) receptors. Behav Brain Res. 2001;118:77–83.
Einat H, Karbovski H, Korik J, Tsalah D, Belmaker RH. Inositol reduces depressive-like behaviors in two different animal models of depression. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1999;144:158–62.
Freeman MP. Omega-3 fatty acids and perinatal depression: a review of the literature and recommendations for future research. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2006;75:291–7.
James S, Montgomery P, Williams K. Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Cochrane Database Syst Rev: CD007992, 2011.
Johnson C, Handen B, Zimmer M, Sacco K. Polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in young children with autism. J Dev Phys Disabil. 2010;22:1–10.
Johnson SM, Hollander E. Evidence that eicosapentaenoic acid is effective in treating autism. J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;64:848–9.
Levine J, Aviram A, Holan A, Ring A, Barak Y, Belmaker RH. Inositol treatment of autism. J Neural Transm. 1997;104:307–10.
Levine J, Barak Y, Gonzalves M, Szor H, Elizur A, Kofman O, Belmaker RH. Double-blind, controlled trial of inositol treatment of depression. Am J Psychiatry. 1995;152:792–4.
Meiri G, Bichovsky Y, Belmaker RH. Omega 3 fatty acid treatment in autism. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2009;19:449–51.
Nemets B, Stahl Z, Belmaker RH. Addition of omega-3 fatty acid to maintenance medication treatment for recurrent unipolar depressive disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2002;159:477–9.
Nemets H, Nemets B, Apter A, Bracha Z, Belmaker RH. Omega-3 treatment of childhood depression: a controlled, double-blind pilot study. Am J Psychiatry. 2006;163:1098–100.
Politi P, Cena H, Comelli M, Marrone G, Allegri C, Emanuele E, Ucelli di Nemi S. Behavioral effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in young adults with severe autism: an open label study. Arch Med Res. 2008;39:682–5.
Schuchardt JP, Huss M, Stauss-Grabo M, Hahn A. Significance of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for the development and behaviour of children. Eur J Pediatr. 2010;169:149–64.
Vancassel S, Durand G, Barthelemy C, Lejeune B, Martineau J, Guilloteau D, Andres C, Chalon S. Plasma fatty acid levels in autistic children. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2001;65:1–7.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this entry
Cite this entry
Belmaker, R.H., Meiri, G. (2014). Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. In: Patel, V., Preedy, V., Martin, C. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Autism. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_148
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_148
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-4787-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-4788-7
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science