title: The effect of alpha-linolenic acid supplementation on ADHD symptoms in children: a randomized controlled double-blind study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neuro-developmental disorder in childhood. Its pharmacologic treatment mostly includes methylphenidate, yet many parents seek alternative, "natural," therapeutic options, commonly omega-3 fatty acids. Previous studies of supplementation with fish oil or long-chain omega-3 fatty acids to children with ADHD yielded mixed results. The use of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a medium-chained, plant-based omega-3 fatty acid (18:3 n-3), has not been sufficiently examined in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty untreated children with ADHD, aged 6-16 years, were randomized to receive either 2 g/day of oil containing 1 g ALA or placebo, for 8 weeks. Before and after supplementation, the children underwent a physician assessment of ADHD symptoms and a computerized continuous performance functions test. The children's parents and teachers filled out Conners' and DSM questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen (42.5%) children completed the study, eight in the supplementation group, nine in the placebo group. Main drop-out reasons were capsule size, poor compliance, and a sense of lack of effect. No significant difference was found in any of the measured variables tested before and after supplementation, in both study groups. No between-group difference was found in the changes of the various measures of ADHD symptoms throughout the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Supplementation of 2 g/day of oil containing 1 g ALA did not significantly reduce symptoms in children with ADHD. Future studies in this field should consider an alternative method to deliver the oil, a higher dose, and a larger sample size.
authors.affiliation: Lifestyle, Exercise and Nutrition Clinic, The Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center Tel Hashomer, Israel ; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Gal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dubnov-Raz
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center - Hebrew University Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Zaher
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khoury
authors.affiliation: Leumit Medical Services Netanya, Israel.
authors.forename: Ilana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Raanan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raz
authors.affiliation: The Neuro-Cognitive Center, Pediatric Division, Hadassah Medical Center - Hebrew University Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Itai
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Berger
keywords: ADHD; attention; fatty Acids; hyperactivity; linolenic acids; omega-3