Table 3.
Randomized controlled trials and open trials of omega-3 PUFAs on impulsivity and aggression.
| Study (Year) [Ref.] | Interventional Arm(s) | Comparison Arm(s) | Sample | Treatment Duration | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qiao et al., 2018 [61] | DHA 360 mg/day + EPA 540 mg/day + antipsychotics |
Placebo + antipsychotics |
50 patients with stable schizophrenia | 12 weeks | ↓ violence, but no improvement in positive and negative symptoms |
| Zanarini & Franknburg, 2003 [133] |
Ethyl-EPA 1 g/day (with no standard psychiatric therapies) |
placebo | 30 females with BPD | 8 weeks | ↓ aggression |
| Ginty et al., 2017 [135] |
EPA 1 g/day + DHA 0.4 g/day | Placebo | 272 healthy volunteers | 18 weeks | No significative differences on impulsive behaviors nor on corticolimbic and corticostriatal brain functionality |
| Bègue et al., 2017 [150] |
EPA 0.772 g/day + DHA 0.638 g/day |
Placebo | 194 Participants aged 18–45 from the general population | 6 weeks | Omega-3 supplements significantly decreased self-reported aggressiveness |
| Sinn and Bryan, 2008 [151] |
EPA 93 mg/day + DHA 29 mg/day + gamma-linolenic acid 10 mg/day versus placebo. No ADHD medications |
Placebo | 132 children (7 to 12 years) with ADHD |
15 weeks | improved in inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity in most ADHD scales in parents reports; no improvement in teachers reports Limits: No ADHD diagnosis (reported ADHD symptoms) |
| Perera et al., 2012 [152] |
omega-3 + omega-6 with ADHD medications | Placebo with ADHD medications | 98 children (6 to 12 years) with ADHD diagnosis |
6 months | improved behavior and learning in restlessness, aggressiveness, completing work and academic performance, but not in inattention, impulsiveness and cooperation with parents and teachers |
| Bellino et al., 2014 [153] | EPA (1.2 g/day) + DHA (0.8 g/day) + valproate (800–1300 mg/day) | Valproate (800–1300 mg/day) | 43 BPD outpatients | 12 weeks | No differences with regard to global symptoms. Improvement of impulsivity, anger and self-mutilating conducts in omega-3 group |
| Bozzatello et al., 2018 [154] | EPA (1.2 g/day) + DHA (0.8 g/day) + valproate (800–1300 mg/day) | Valproate (800–1300 mg/day) | 43 BPD outpatients | 24 weeks follow-up | Combined therapy with omega-3 fatty acids showed long-lasting effects after discontinuation in terms of anger control. |