The primary aim of this study is to examine the efficacy and tolerability of short-term omega-3 fatty acids monotherapy in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The investigators hypothesize that Omega-3 fatty acids will be efficacious in improving the core and associated features of ASD in youth, and that Omega-3 fatty acids monotherapy will be safe and well tolerated by youth with ASD. The secondary aim of this study is to examine the neuropsychological effect of Omega-3 fatty acids monotherapy in youth with ASD. The investigators hypothesize that omega-3 fatty acids will be efficacious in improving cognitive functions in youth with ASD.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
7
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders will be randomized to receive either 1500mg (3 capsules) omega-3 fatty acids or placebo. Each 500mg capsule contains 350mg EPA and 50mg DHA. Omega-3 fatty acids dosing will be on a forced titration schedule to 3 capsules per day. All subjects will start with 1 capsule per day with an increase to 3 capsules per day by week 2. Subjects will be maintained at 3 capsules per day thereafter until the end of the trial (completion/discontinuation). During the 12 weeks of the study period, participants will be evaluated at weekly intervals during the first three weeks of the trial (baseline, weeks 1-3) and tri-weekly thereafter till the end of the trial (weeks 6, 9 and 12). At each visit, measures of safety and effectiveness will be administered and subjects will be evaluated for response and side effects to the treatment. Study medications will be prescribed under double blind conditions.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Change From Baseline in Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) Total Raw Score
The SRS is a 65-item rating scale completed by the participants parent or guardian. The scale measures the severity of autism spectrum symptoms as the occur in natural social settings. The total raw score is calculated by summing the 65 items. Total scores range from 0 to 195, where higher scores indicate greater severity. The outcome reported reflects the change from baseline (pre-treatment) in SRS Total raw score. When examining change from baseline, negative scores represent improvement (i.e., decrease in severity from baseline).
Time frame: Pre-treatment - 12 weeks
Change in NIMH Clinical Global Impression Scale for Pervasive Developmental Disorders (CGI-PDD) Improvement Scores
The CGI-PDD Improvement scale is a clinician-rated assessment of the participant's improvement in symptoms compared to baseline. The CGI-PDD-I is rated on a scale of one (very much improved) to seven (very much worse) and values of zero (not assessed) are assigned to all participants at baseline. The outcome reported reflects the change in improvement score from baseline, where lower scores indicate greater improvement compared to baseline.
Time frame: Pre-treatment - 12 weeks
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