Behavioral effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in young adults with severe autism: an open label study.
Arch Med Res
; 39(7): 682-5, 2008 Oct.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18760197
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Pilot findings seem to suggest a potential beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acid (FA) supplementation on behavioral alterations in children with autism. However, data on the potential benefits of omega-3 supplements in young adults with severe autism are lacking. In the present study, we sought to explore this issue in an open label study.METHODS:
Nineteen young adults with severe autism (CARS >40), aged 18-40 years, received two fish oil capsules per day [0.93 g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plus 5 mg of vitamin E to avoid lipid peroxidation] for 6 weeks. Subjects were assessed with an ad hoc caregiver questionnaire, the Rossago Behavioral Checklist, for the assessment of behavioral anomalies.RESULTS:
No significant improvements were observed with regard to the severity and frequency of problematic behaviors either during the active treatment period or during the post-treatment 6-week observation period. Moreover, no effect on the number of episodes and severity of behavior aberrations was observed.CONCLUSIONS:
Our negative findings do not point toward a major effect of omega-3 FA supplementation on behavioral abnormalities in adults with severe autism. Further studies on larger sample sizes are warranted to shed more light on this important issue.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Transtorno Autístico
/
Comportamento
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Ácidos Graxos Ômega-3
Limite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Arch Med Res
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA
Ano de publicação:
2008
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Itália