title: Does omega-3 supplement enhance the therapeutic results of methylphenidate in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder patients?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although most of the ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) patients respond to stimulant drugs very well, alternative drugs are required for non respondents. It has been revealed that subgroups of patients with ADHD have omega-3 fatty acid deficiency. So, the present study was planned to illustrate the effect of omega-3 supplementation, as an add-on to methylphenidate, on ADHD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double-blind RCT, ADHD children without any co morbidity, who had been diagnosed by a child and adolescent psychiatrist in child and adolescent university clinic, participated and were randomly divided into 2 groups. The experimental group methylphenidate plus omega-3 capsule (2000mg/d), while control group took methylphenidate plus placebo. Severity of ADHD symptoms were assessed by ADHD rating scale at the baseline and after 2, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  69 patients (experimental = 36, control = 33) aged 7 to 15 participated. A significant reduction of both parent's and teacher's ADHD rating scale scores in both groups was observed. Bu t it couldn't show any difference between two groups. Difference score of parent's at baseline was 1.86+- (5/40), Pv 0.262, after 2 weeks -.70+- (4/30), Pv 0.668,4 weeks. 19+- (5/60), Pv 0.902 and 8 weeks. 30+- (4/42), Pv 0.845. Difference score of Teacher's at baseline was -1.56+- (3/45), Pv 0.541, after 2 weeks -.46+- (6/24), Pv 0.888, 4 weeks. 45+- (5/41), 0.868 and 8 weeks. 73+- (4/18), Pv 0.748.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Omega-3 did not enhance the therapeutic results of methylphenidate in ADHD patients.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Ibn-e-Sina Hospital, faculty of medicine, Mashhad University Of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Behdani
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Ibn-e-Sina Hospital, faculty of medicine, Mashhad University Of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Paria
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hebrani
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrist,Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Ibn-e-Sina Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University Of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Afshin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Naseraee
authors.affiliation: Medical Docter, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Ibn-e-Sina Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University Of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehri Baghban
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Haghighi
authors.affiliation: Medical Student, Student Research committee,Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Ibn-e-Sina Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University Of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akhavanrezayat
keywords: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; methylphenidate; omega-3