Citation

Choy O, Raine A. Curr. Psychiatry Rep. 2018; 20(5): e32.

Affiliation

Departments of Criminology, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Jerry Lee Center of Criminology, 3809 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s11920-018-0894-y

PMID

29623453

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Although there is an increasing body of literature on the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and aggressive/antisocial behavior, evidence to date suggests that there are mixed findings on the efficacy of omega-3 supplementation as a dietary intervention to reduce such behaviors. This article describes the current state of the research regarding omega-3 supplementation and aggressive/antisocial behavior from intervention studies, with an emphasis on randomized controlled trials. RECENT FINDINGS: The current evidence base indicates a small effect size (approximately d = .20) for the efficacy of increased omega-3 intake in reducing aggressive and antisocial behavior in children and adults. How precisely omega-3 supplementation results in such behavioral improvement is an open question, although upregulation of dysfunctional prefrontal regions is one candidate mediator. Directions for further research include understanding the more basic mechanisms that may underlie any intervention effects, delineating dose-response relationships, ascertaining optimal treatment duration and composition, conducting follow-ups post-treatment, and testing the provisional hypothesis that more impulsive, reactive forms of aggression may be particularly amenable to omega-3 supplementation.

Language: en

Keywords

Aggression; Antisocial behavior; Dietary intervention; Externalizing behavior; Omega-3