title: ω-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Fatty Acid Desaturase Activity Ratios as Eventual Endophenotypes for ADHD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Epidemiological studies suggest that long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) may be suitable as endophenotypes for ADHD. To be appropriated vulnerability traits, endophenotypes should be altered in unaffected relatives of index cases. Serum profiles of LC-PUFAs in unaffected relatives of ADHD patients remain understudied. The main objective of this study was to compare serum LC-PUFAs in ADHD patients, unaffected relatives of index cases, and general-population unaffected participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  LC-PUFA profiles of 72 participants (27 ADHD patients, 27 unaffected relatives, and 18 general-population participants) were obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Groups were compared by parametrical statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Unaffected females from the general population presented lower Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; p = .0012) and a-linolenic acid (ALA; p = .0091) levels compared with ADHD females and unaffected relatives. In addition, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/ALA and DHA/DPA ratios, addressing desaturase activity, were significantly lower in ADHD patients and unaffected relatives of ADHD patients in the female-subgroup (p = .022 and .04, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DHA/ALA, DHA/DPA, serum DPA, and serum ALA may be suitable as endophenotypes for ADHD women.
authors.affiliation: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile mhenri@med.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Henríquez-Henríquez
authors.affiliation: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Solari
authors.affiliation: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Várgas
authors.affiliation: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vásquez
authors.affiliation: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Fidel
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Allende
authors.affiliation: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castañón S
authors.affiliation: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tenorio
authors.affiliation: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Quiroga Gutiérrez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D058068:Endophenotypes; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D005819:Genetic Markers; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases; C026219:docosapentaenoic acid
keywords: ADHD; LC-PUFAs; endophenotype; ω-3