A pilot randomized controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids for autism spectrum disorder

Stephen Bent, Kiah Bertoglio, Paul Ashwood, Alan Bostrom, Robert L Hendren, Stephen Bent, Kiah Bertoglio, Paul Ashwood, Alan Bostrom, Robert L Hendren

Abstract

We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial to determine the feasibility and initial safety and efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids (1.3 g/day) for the treatment of hyperactivity in 27 children ages 3-8 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). After 12 weeks, hyperactivity, as measured by the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, improved 2.7 (± 4.8) points in the omega-3 group compared to 0.3 (± 7.2) points in the placebo group (p = 0.40; effect size = 0.38). Correlations were found between decreases in five fatty acid levels and decreases in hyperactivity, and the treatment was well tolerated. Although this pilot study did not find a statistically significant benefit from omega-3 fatty acids, the small sample size does not rule out small to moderate beneficial effects.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00786799.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram showing distribution of participants at each stage

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Source: PubMed

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