Research: Omega-3 DHA and EPA for Cognition, Behavior, and Mood: Clinical Findings and Structural-Functional Synergies with Cell Membrane Phospholipids

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Authored by Kidd, PM in Alternative Medicine Review, Volume 12, Issue 3, p. 207-227, (2007).

Article summary (posted Nov 28, 2007):

The omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA may help behavior problems that are often found with autism.

This review article describes the research behind using omega-3 fatty acids as an autism therapy. In 2001, two groups of case histories found that children with autism had low levels of omega-3 fatty acids. In a different study, a group in Austria treated children who had autism and bad behavior with 1.5 grams per day of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, and found that the bad behavior decreased. The author also describes other studies that show how omega 3 fatty acids help with other health problems such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia, and dyslexia. He concludes by suggesting that other supplements (astaxanthin, vitamin E, and coenzyme Q10) may also work with omega-3 fatty acids to help the brain.

Links:

You can access the original abstract and the complete paper is sometimes available for free via Google Scholar (look for entries that say "PDF" or "HTML" on the right side of the page).
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, cell membrane, cognition, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), dyslexia, dyspraxia (DCD), essential fatty acids (EFA), hyperactivity, omega-3, supplements, therapy, vitamin
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