A small pilot study published in Biological Psychiatry (2007;61:551-553) examined whether omega-3 fatty acid supplementation could improve behavioral symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder. The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 13 children who experienced hyperactivity, tantrums, and aggressive behavior. Participants received either a placebo or 1.5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids daily for six weeks.
The children who received omega-3 fatty acids showed improvements in hyperactivity and stereotypy—the repetitive movements, behaviors, or speech patterns that are common in autism. Behavior was assessed using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist. Because this was a very small pilot study, the findings should be considered preliminary. However, the results suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may be worthy of further study as part of a comprehensive approach to autism.
