Research: Omega 3 Fatty Acid Treatment in Autism

Authored by Meiri, G., Bichovsky Y., and Belmaker RH in Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, Volume 19, Issue 4, p. 449-451, (2009).

Article summary (posted Mar 18, 2010):

Omega 3 fatty acids appear to be safe and helpful for children with autism.

This open study looked at the effect of omega 3 fatty acids on ten children with autism. The children were given 1 gram of omega 3 fatty acids (180 mg DHA and 380 mg of EPA) for 12 weeks. The children were tested for symptoms of autism by a board-certified child psychiatrist upon entrance to the study, at 6 weeks, and at 12 weeks. The children were examined using three tests for symptoms of autism. The symptoms of autism improved in most of the children after 6 weeks of omega 3 fatty acid therapy.

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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).
autism, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), omega-3, psychiatrist, therapy, treatment
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