May the best friend be an enemy if not recognized early: possible role of omega-3 against cardiovascular abnormalities due to antipsychotics in the treatment of autism.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopment disorders that cause severe and pervasive impairment in socialization, communication, and behavior. Although the availability of antipsychotic treatment in ASD has expanded, we will be very careful with side effects of these pharmacological agents. Following this reasoning, emerging data indicate that some antipsychotics may be associated with cardiovascular adverse events (e.g., QT interval prolongation), suggesting that this could be correlated to sudden death. Quite interesting, substantial evidence from epidemiological and case-control studies indicates that omega-3 reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality, particularly sudden cardiac death. In accordance to the above mentioned findings, as omega-3 fatty acids per se have a direct cardiovascular protective role, our paper hypothesized that omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in ASD patients treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs may reduce cardiac arrhythmias and hence sudden cardiac death.
Programa de Pós-Graduação, Distúrbios do Desenvolvimento, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Roberta M
RM
Cysneiros
Vera C
VC
Terra
Hélio R
HR
Machado
Ricardo M
RM
Arida
José Salomão
JS
Schwartzman
Esper A
EA
Cavalheiro
Fulvio A
FA
Scorza
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3