Abstract
In this systematic review, we will consider and debate studies that have explored the effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in three major, and somehow related, developmental psychiatric disorders: Autism, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity disorder and Psychosis. The impact of ω-3 PUFAs on clinical symptoms and, if possible, brain trajectory in children and adolescents suffering from these illnesses will be reviewed and discussed, considering the biological plausibility of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids, together with their potential perspectives in the field. Heterogeneity in study designs will be discussed in the light of differences in results and interpretation of studies carried out so far.
Highlights
Mental disorders, despite the growing pharmacological discoveries, will gradually increase in the decades [1]
Many epidemiological or observational studies suggested that greater dietary intake of fish or ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is linked to a general reduced risk of psychosis [46,47,48,49]
The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the effects of ω-3 PUFAs in three major neuropsychiatric disorders: psychosis, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Table 2)
Summary
Despite the growing pharmacological discoveries, will gradually increase in the decades [1]. Once obtained from the diet, LA and ALA are further metabolized in the liver by the enzymes ∆6 and ∆5 desaturases to generate long-chain PUFAs (LCPUFAs) as arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4, ω-6), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5, ω-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6, ω-3). Together with neuroprotectin D1 formed from DHA via several reactions, these mediators appear to exert strong inflammation resolving effects [5]. This suggests that LCPUFAs form precursors to both pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules, and the balance between these mutually antagonistic compounds could determine the final outcome of the disease process [6]
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