TY - JOUR

T1 - Fish oil supplementation may improve attention, working memory, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in adults with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized crossover trial

AU - Lundbergh, B

AU - Enevoldsen, Ann Sofi

AU - Stark, K D

AU - Ritz, Christian

AU - Lauritzen, Lotte

N1 - CURIS 2022 NEXS 061

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - Marine n-3 fatty acids (n-3LCPUFA) have shown neurocognitive benefits in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but few trials have examined effects in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We explored, if n-3LCPUFA affect cognitive functions in adults with ASD, and if effects are modified by comorbid ADHD. In a 2x4 week crossover study, 26 participants were randomized to sequence of supplementation with fish oil (FO, 5.2 g/d n-3PUFA) and safflower oil (SO). At baseline and after each period, we measured primary outcomes: attention (d2-test) and spatial working memory (Corsi test) and secondary outcomes: flexibility (Stroop word-colour test), ADHD symptoms (Conners scales), executive functions (Behavioural Inventory of Executive Function) and social behaviour (Social Responsiveness Scale). The dropout rate was 15%. Compliance was 94% and correlated with whole-blood n-3LCPUFA. Corsi scores improved by ∼0.3×SD (P=0.032) after FO vs SO, and the odds for d2 errors were 30% lower (P=0.016), which was supported by improved Conners scores of attention (P=0.023). Improvement in Conners ADHD symptom score was limited to participants with ADHD (-3.5(-6.0;-1.0), n=10 vs -0.2(-2.5;2.2), n=11 without ADHD, Pinteraction=0.096), who also improved their behavioural regulation index by 0.3×SD after FO (Pinteraction=0.016). Participants without ADHD gained most in d2 test performance (OR=0.4(0.2;0.7) vs 0.9(0.6;1.3) in those with ADHD, Pinteraction=0.002), but their executive function score was exacerbated after FO (5.9(0.0,11.8), Pinteraction=0.039). Our results did not show any effects on ASD symptoms, but suggest that FO may improve attention and working memory in adults with ASD and ameliorate ADHD symptoms in those with comorbid ADHD.

AB - Marine n-3 fatty acids (n-3LCPUFA) have shown neurocognitive benefits in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but few trials have examined effects in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We explored, if n-3LCPUFA affect cognitive functions in adults with ASD, and if effects are modified by comorbid ADHD. In a 2x4 week crossover study, 26 participants were randomized to sequence of supplementation with fish oil (FO, 5.2 g/d n-3PUFA) and safflower oil (SO). At baseline and after each period, we measured primary outcomes: attention (d2-test) and spatial working memory (Corsi test) and secondary outcomes: flexibility (Stroop word-colour test), ADHD symptoms (Conners scales), executive functions (Behavioural Inventory of Executive Function) and social behaviour (Social Responsiveness Scale). The dropout rate was 15%. Compliance was 94% and correlated with whole-blood n-3LCPUFA. Corsi scores improved by ∼0.3×SD (P=0.032) after FO vs SO, and the odds for d2 errors were 30% lower (P=0.016), which was supported by improved Conners scores of attention (P=0.023). Improvement in Conners ADHD symptom score was limited to participants with ADHD (-3.5(-6.0;-1.0), n=10 vs -0.2(-2.5;2.2), n=11 without ADHD, Pinteraction=0.096), who also improved their behavioural regulation index by 0.3×SD after FO (Pinteraction=0.016). Participants without ADHD gained most in d2 test performance (OR=0.4(0.2;0.7) vs 0.9(0.6;1.3) in those with ADHD, Pinteraction=0.002), but their executive function score was exacerbated after FO (5.9(0.0,11.8), Pinteraction=0.039). Our results did not show any effects on ASD symptoms, but suggest that FO may improve attention and working memory in adults with ASD and ameliorate ADHD symptoms in those with comorbid ADHD.

KW - Faculty of Science

KW - n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

KW - Cognitive function

KW - Social responsiveness

KW - Restricted behaviour

KW - Psychometric tests

U2 - 10.1017/S0007114522000393

DO - 10.1017/S0007114522000393

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 35144699

VL - 128

SP - 2398

EP - 2408

JO - British Journal of Nutrition

JF - British Journal of Nutrition

SN - 0007-1145

IS - 12

ER -