title: Effect of supplementation with long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on behavior and cognition in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized placebo-controlled intervention trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether supplementation with the long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) affects behavioral symptoms and cognitive impairments in children 6-12 years of age diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled 16 weeks trial was conducted with 95 children diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-IV criteria. Behavior was assessed by parents, teachers and investigators using standardized rating scales and questionnaires. Further outcome variables were working memory, speed of information processing and various measures of attention. For a subgroup of 81 participants, erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition was analyzed before and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acid mix increased EPA and DHA concentrations in erythrocyte membranes and improved working memory function, but had no effect on other cognitive measures and parent- and teacher-rated behavior in the study population. Improved working memory correlated significantly with increased EPA, DHA and decreased AA (arachidonic acid).
authors: Transfer Center for Neuroscience and Learning, University Hospital, Ulm, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Ulm, Germany. Electronic address: katharina.widenhorn-mueller@uni-ulm.de.
authors: Katharina
authors: K
authors: Widenhorn-Müller
authors: SPZ, University Children׳s Hospital, Division of Social Pediatrics and Child Neurology, Ulm, Germany.
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Schwanda
authors: Transfer Center for Neuroscience and Learning, University Hospital, Ulm, Germany.
authors: Elke
authors: E
authors: Scholz
authors: Transfer Center for Neuroscience and Learning, University Hospital, Ulm, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Ulm, Germany.
authors: Manfred
authors: M
authors: Spitzer
authors: SPZ, University Children׳s Hospital, Division of Social Pediatrics and Child Neurology, Ulm, Germany.
authors: Harald
authors: H
authors: Bode
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid
keywords: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); Behavior; Children; Intervention; Polyunsaturated fatty acids/erythrocyte membrane composition; Working memory