Research published in Biological Psychiatry (February 15, 2007; 61(4):551–553) examined omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in a small group of children with autism spectrum disorder and hyperactivity. The pilot study included 13 participants between the ages of 5 and 17 who exhibited significant behavioral symptoms, including severe tantrums, self-injury, or aggression.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either omega-3 supplementation or placebo over a six-week period. The supplementation provided docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at a dose of 700 micrograms per day and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) at a dose of 840 milligrams per day. Behavioral outcomes related to hyperactivity were assessed during the study period.
The investigators reported greater improvement in hyperactivity measures in the omega-3 group compared with the placebo group. No adverse effects related to supplementation were reported during the trial. Given the small sample size and short duration, the authors characterized the findings as preliminary and noted that further research would be required to confirm and extend these observations.
The study was discussed within the broader context of research examining essential fatty acid status and neurodevelopmental conditions, an area that has been explored with varying results across different study designs.
