title: Biochemical and Psychological Effects of Omega-3/6 Supplements in Male Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An abnormality in long chain-polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) levels has been implicated in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Studies evaluating LC-PUFA supplementation for therapeutic efficacy in ADHD have shown mixed and, therefore, inconclusive results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-six male adolescents (age 12-16 years, mean = 13.7) with ADHD were assessed for the effects of 12 weeks omega-3 and omega-6 supplements on biochemical and psychological outcomes in a randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. The primary outcome measure was change in the Conners' Teacher Rating Scales (CTRS) following 12 weeks of supplementation of LC-PUFA or placebo. At baseline, the placebo and treatment groups had comparable levels of LC-PUFA as measured by red blood cell phosphatidylcholine. In the treatment group, supplementation enhanced eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and total omega-3 fatty acid levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No superiority of LC-PUFAs to placebo was observed on the primary outcome. Further, there were no reliable treatment effects on aggression, impulsivity, depression, and anxiety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future studies should use larger sample sizes and longer supplementation period to detect small-modest effects for clinical recommendations in ADHD.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Adolescent and Child Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry , Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Toshiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsudaira
authors.affiliation: 2 Section of Nutritional Neuroscience, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Rachel V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Gow
authors.affiliation: 3 King's Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Psychiatry , London, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: 3 King's Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Psychiatry , London, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: 3 King's Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Psychiatry , London, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Potts
authors.affiliation: 4 Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University , Nottingham, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sumich
authors.affiliation: 5 Lipidomics and Nutrition Research Centre, London Metropolitan University , London, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Kebreab
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ghebremeskel
authors.affiliation: 6 Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London , London, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Adolescent and Child Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry , Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid