Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplements in children with autism spectrum disorder: a study protocol for a factorial randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Mazahery, Hajar; Conlon, Cathryn A.; Beck, Kathryn; Kruger, Marlena C.; Stonehouse, Welma; Camargo, Carlos A.; Meyer, Barbara J.; Tsang, Bobby; Mugridge, Owen; Hurst, Pamela von

doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1428-8

Cited by 17 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 75 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A Cochrane review did not find any evidence of effects of omega-3 FA in ASD [338]; by contrast, a recent study by Mazahery et al [339] have shown that either vitamin D, DHA, or both are effective; the trial would reveal a noninvasive approach to managing ASD symptoms.…”

Section: Autism -Paradigms Recent Research and Clinical Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 91%

The Genetic and Epigenetic Basis Involved in the Pathophysiology of ASD: Therapeutic Implications

Carrascosa-Romero¹,

Cabo²

2017

Autism - Paradigms, Recent Research and Clinical Applications

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The prevalence of autism has increased in an exponential way in the past few years. Many monogenetic mutations as well as copy number variants and single nucleotide polymorphisms have been associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a large proportion of which occur in genes associated with synaptogenesis and synaptic function. However, the increase in appearance of genetic alterations does not explain the etiology of an elevated number of ASD cases. Recent research is now focusing on the role of environmental/epigenetic factors, which by themselves and/or in combination with classical genetic factors, may be the root cause of a large number of ASDs. In this chapter we review the current literature regarding the epigenetic changes involved in ASD, including their possible mechanisms of action such as oxidative stress, altered fatty acid metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA methylation and histone methylation (via the one-carbon metabolism cycle), histone variants, and ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling. We discuss possible new biochemical markers related to autism as well as new lines of research for therapeutic targets.

show abstract

Section: Autism -Paradigms Recent Research and Clinical Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 91%

The Genetic and Epigenetic Basis Involved in the Pathophysiology of ASD: Therapeutic Implications

Carrascosa-Romero¹,

Cabo²

2017

Autism - Paradigms, Recent Research and Clinical Applications

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This study was conducted as an exploratory analysis of the data from the Vitamin D and Omega-3 LCPUFA in Autism (VIDOMA) trial. A detailed description of the design of the VIDOMA trial and its main results have been published [43,49,50]. The protocol was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry, ACTRN12615000144516, and the ethical approval was granted by Health and Disability Ethics Committee, NZ, Reference NO.…”

Section: Study Design and Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Children who met the initial inclusion criteria had a blood draw and were screened for nutritional deficiencies (including vitamin D, iron and vitamin B 12 deficiencies). Prior to randomisation, those deficiencies were addressed (refer to [49] and Table 1 for the list of deficiencies and the strategies used to address those deficiencies). Children were then randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: vitamin D 3 (VID, 2000 IU/day), omega-3 LCPUFA (OM, 722 mg/day DHA), both (VIDOM), or placebo.…”

Section: Study Design and Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Inflammation (IL-1β) Modifies the Effect of Vitamin D and Omega-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Core Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder—An Exploratory Pilot Study

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The role of vitamin D and omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 LCPUFA) in improving core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children has been investigated by a few randomised controlled trials and the results are mixed and inconclusive. The response to treatment with these nutrients is heterogenous and may be influenced by inflammatory state. As an exploratory analysis, we investigated whether inflammatory state would modulate the effect of these nutrients on core symptoms of ASD. Methods: Seventy-three New Zealand children with ASD (2.5-8.0 years) completed a 12-month randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D (VID, 2000 IU/day), omega-3 LCPUFA; (OM, 722 mg/day docosahexaenoic acid), or both (VIDOM). Non-fasting baseline plasma interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was available for 67 children (VID = 15, OM = 21, VIDOM = 15, placebo = 16). Children were categorised as having undetectable/normal IL-1β (<3.2 pg/ml, n = 15) or elevated IL-1β (≥3.2 pg/mL, n = 52). The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) questionnaire was used to assess core symptoms of ASD (baseline, 12-month). Mixed model repeated measure analyses (including all children or only children with elevated IL-1β) were used. Results: We found evidence for an interaction between baseline IL-1β and treatment response for SRS-total, SRS-social communicative functioning, SRS-awareness and SRS-communication (all P interaction < 0.10). When all children were included in the analysis, two outcome comparisons (treatments vs. placebo) showed greater improvements: VID, no effect (all P > 0.10); OM and VIDOM (P = 0.01) for SRS-awareness. When only children with elevated IL-1β were included, five outcomes showed greater improvements: OM (P = 0.01) for SRS-total; OM (P = 0.03) for SRS-social communicative Nutrients 2020, 12, 661 2 of 17 functioning; VID (P = 0.01), OM (P = 0.003) and VIDOM (P = 0.01) for SRS-awareness. Conclusion: Inflammatory state may have modulated responses to vitamin D and omega-3 LCPUFA intervention in children with ASD, suggesting children with elevated inflammation may benefit more from daily vitamin D and omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation.

show abstract

“…The bibliography review has shown evidence of the relationship between vitamin D and folate levels and the diagnosis of autism in children (Altun et al, 2018 ; Frye et al, 2018 ; Garipardic et al, 2017 ; Gong et al, 2014 ; Mazahery et al, 2016 ; Sun et al, 2016 ). In fact, a recent meta-analysis assessed the relationship between vitamin D levels and autism, including studies published through November 2019 (Wang et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serum Vitamin D, Folate and Fatty Acid Levels in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Gallardo-Carrasco

Jiménez‐Barbero

Bravo-Pastor

et al. 2021

J Autism Dev Disord

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Vitamin and fatty acid deficiency in children diagnosed with autism has been linked to the etiology and course of the disease but the results have been inconsistent. In our work, we present a narrative review, which includes 20 observational studies that provide data on the blood levels of vitamin D, folate, or fatty acids of children diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder—AG group), and of a control group (children without this disorder—CG group). The main characteristics and results are presented in a summary table. Of the 20 above-mentioned studies, a meta-analysis of vitamin D and folate levels was carried out in 14 of them, with a total of 2269 children (AG = 1159, CG = 1110). Vitamin D levels were lower in AG compared to CG: SMD, 95% CI = − 0.83 [− 1.15, − 0.50]. In terms of folate levels, a total of 299 children (AG = 148, CG = 151) were analyzed, finding no significant differences with the control group: SMD, 95% CI = − 0.16 [− 0.63, 0.32]. Only one study that provided data on fatty acids in children with ASD was included in the review although it was not possible to include it in the meta-analysis. We conclude that the nutritional status (vitamin and fatty acid levels) of patients diagnosed with ASD should be taken into account, as correct adjustment of these levels—may produce an improvement in the course of the disease and could also reduce the risk of its development.

show abstract

Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplements in children with autism spectrum disorder: a study protocol for a factorial randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Cited by 17 publications

References 75 publications

The Genetic and Epigenetic Basis Involved in the Pathophysiology of ASD: Therapeutic Implications

The Genetic and Epigenetic Basis Involved in the Pathophysiology of ASD: Therapeutic Implications

Inflammation (IL-1β) Modifies the Effect of Vitamin D and Omega-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Core Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder—An Exploratory Pilot Study

Serum Vitamin D, Folate and Fatty Acid Levels in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About