title: Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, cognition, and behavior in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of an eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-rich oil and a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich oil versus an ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich safflower oil (control) on literacy and behavior in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Supplements rich in EPA, DHA, or safflower oil were randomly allocated for 4 mo to 90 Australian children 7 to 12 y old with ADHD symptoms higher than the 90th percentile on the Conners Rating Scales. The effect of supplementation on cognition, literacy, and parent-rated behavior was assessed by linear mixed modeling. Pearson correlations determined associations between the changes in outcome measurements and the erythrocyte fatty acid content (percentage of total) from baseline to 4 mo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the supplement groups in the primary outcomes after 4 mo. However, the erythrocyte fatty acid profiles indicated that an increased proportion of DHA was associated with improved word reading (r = 0.394) and lower parent ratings of oppositional behavior (r = 0.392). These effects were more evident in a subgroup of 17 children with learning difficulties: an increased erythrocyte DHA was associated with improved word reading (r = 0.683), improved spelling (r = 0.556), an improved ability to divide attention (r = 0.676), and lower parent ratings of oppositional behavior (r = 0.777), hyperactivity (r = 0.702), restlessness (r = 0.705), and overall ADHD symptoms (r = 0.665).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increases in erythrocyte ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically DHA, may improve literacy and behavior in children with ADHD. The greatest benefit may be observed in children who have comorbid learning difficulties.
authors.affiliation: Nutritional Physiology Research Centre, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Milte
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Parletta
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.forename: Alison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Coates
authors.forename: Ross M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Peter R C
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Howe
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011932:Reading; D012450:Safflower Oil; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D012450:Safflower Oil; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid