Fighting Autism with Fatty Acids: Maternal Omega-3 Shields the Developing Brain from VPA-Induced Behavioral and...

Background/Objectives: Autism spectrum disorder is a psychological condition characterized by symptoms such as repetitive stereotypic behaviors and social interaction/communication difficulties. It is known that omega-3 deficiency during brain maturation may cause learning disabilities and motor impairment. Therefore, we examined the effects of omega-3 treatment during gestation and/or lactation on autism-related behavioral and molecular deficits in a valproic acid (VPA)-rat model. Methods: Female Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control, VPA (500 mg/kg at G12.5), VPA+omega-3 (gestation), VPA+omega-3 (lactation), and VPA+omega-3 (gestation + lactation). The omega-3 supplement was dissolved in drinking water and offered for consumption daily during gestation and/or lactation. After the treatment period, behavioral tests were performed. The rats were then sacrificed, and inflammatory cytokines, parvalbumin, and glutamate decarboxylase-67 (GAD67) levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were examined. Results: Prenatal VPA administration increased repetitive behaviors, decreased sociability, impaired memory, and induced anhedonia. The behavioral and neurochemical effects of VPA exposure were more severe in males than in females. Early maternal omega-3 treatments rescued these behavioral changes. The treatments also reversed prenatal VPA-induced neuroinflammation. Lastly, GAD67 and parvalbumin decreases in these brain regions were mitigated by the treatments, the therapeutic effects of which were more pronounced in males. In terms of efficacy, the treatment groups ranked as follows: "gestation + lactation" > "gestation" > "lactation". Conclusions: Maternal omega-3 supplementation-especially when administered throughout gestation and lactation-provides significant protection against behavioral and neurochemical deficits associated with prenatal VPA exposure. Early omega-3 intake may serve as a valuable complementary strategy in autism intervention.