title: Gamma-linolenic acid for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: placebo-controlled comparison to D-amphetamine.
abstract: In a Latin-square double-crossover with random assignment to sequence, 18 boys, aged 6-12 years, with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder received 1 month each of placebo, D-amphetamine, and Efamol (evening primrose oil containing gamma-linolenic acid, with vitamin E as preservative). Parents' ratings were noncontributory. Teachers' ratings showed a trend of Efamol effect between placebo and D-amphetamine. The trend reached significance (p less than 0.05) only on Conners Hyperactivity Factor. Dosage may be crucial; 8 Efamol capsules per day were used in this study. Heuristic data scrutiny suggested possible interaction (sequence effect). Further study with a different design and dose is suggested. This study does not establish Efamol as an effective treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Ohio State University, Columbus.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kleykamp
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Votolato
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Kontras
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tobin
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
chemical_list: D008042:Linolenic Acids; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid; D003913:Dextroamphetamine