Increased Erythrocyte Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid Are Associated With Improved Attention and Behavior in Children With ADHD in a Randomized Controlled Three-Way Crossover Trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on attention, literacy, and behavior in children with ADHD.


METHODS
Ninety children were randomized to consume supplements high in EPA, DHA, or linoleic acid (control) for 4 months each in a crossover design. Erythrocyte fatty acids, attention, cognition, literacy, and Conners' Parent Rating Scales (CPRS) were measured at 0, 4, 8, 12 months.


RESULTS
Fifty-three children completed the treatment. Outcome measures showed no significant differences between the three treatments. However, in children with blood samples (n = 76-46), increased erythrocyte EPA + DHA was associated with improved spelling (r = .365, p < .001) and attention (r = -.540, p < .001) and reduced oppositional behavior (r = -.301, p < .003), hyperactivity (r = -.310, p < .001), cognitive problems (r = -.326, p < .001), Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) hyperactivity (r = -.270, p = .002) and DSM-IV inattention (r = -.343, p < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing erythrocyte DHA and EPA via dietary supplementation may improve behavior, attention, and literacy in children with ADHD.
Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Catherine M
CM
Milte
University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia natalie.parletta@unisa.edu.au.
Natalie
N
Parletta
University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
Jonathan D
JD
Buckley
University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
Alison M
AM
Coates
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
Ross M
RM
Young
University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
Peter R C
PR
Howe
D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D019787:Linoleic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011932:Reading; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004041:Dietary Fats; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D019787:Linoleic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid
ADD/ADHD; behavior; cognition; fatty acid; nutrition