title: Omega-3 fatty acid and nutrient deficits in adverse neurodevelopment and childhood behaviors.
abstract: Nutritional insufficiencies of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) may have adverse effects on brain development and neurodevelopmental outcomes. A recent meta-analysis reported a small to modest effect size for the efficacy of omega-3 in youth. Several controlled trials of omega-3 HUFAs combined with micronutrients show sizable reductions in aggressive, antisocial, and violent behavior in youth and young adult prisoners. Studies of HUFAs in youth, however, remain lacking. As the evidence base for omega-3 HUFAs as potential psychiatric treatment develops, dietary adjustments to increase omega-3 and reduce omega-6 HUFA consumption are sensible recommendations based on general health considerations.
authors: Section of Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 31 Center Drive, Building 31, Room 1B54, Rockville, MD 20892, USA.
authors: Rachel V
authors: RV
authors: Gow
authors: Section of Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5625 Fishers Lane, Room 3N-01, Rockville, MD 20892, USA. Electronic address: jhibbeln@mail.nih.gov.
authors: Joseph R
authors: JR
authors: Hibbeln
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3
keywords: Arachidonic acid; Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Child neurodevelopment; Conduct disorder; Docosahexaenoic acid; Eicosapentaenoic acid; Learning disorders; Omega-3 fatty acids