Randomized trial of omega-3 for autism spectrum disorders: Effect on cell membrane composition and behavior

A high ω6/ω3 ratio [fatty acid (FA) index] in the cell membrane has been associated with inadequate brain development. It has started to be used as a biomarker of treatment efficacy in human diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate if omega-3 supplementation improves erythrocyte membrane ω6/ω3, plasma antioxidant status (TAS) and autistic behaviors. A randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled study was designed to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of supplementation with ω3 (962mg/d and 1155mg/d for children and adolescents, respectively). Sixty-eight children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) completed the full protocol. Primary outcome measures were erythrocyte membrane FA composition and TAS. Secondary outcome measures were Social Responsiveness Scale and Clinical Global Impression-Severity. Treatment with ω3 improved the erythrocyte membrane ω6/ω3 ratio (treatment effect p