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

2014 ◽  
Vol 91 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 49-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Widenhorn-Müller ◽  
Simone Schwanda ◽  
Elke Scholz ◽  
Manfred Spitzer ◽  
Harald Bode
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Intervention Trial ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Behavior And Cognition ◽  
Long Chain

scholarly journals Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus W. Lange ◽  
Joachim Hauser ◽  
Shigehiko Kanaya ◽  
Ivo Kaunzinger ◽  
Katharina M Lange ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Adhd Symptoms ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Dietary Pufa ◽  
Blood Concentrations ◽  
Pufa Supplementation ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

Background: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common behavioral disorders in children. Insufficient dietary intake of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) has been suggested to have an impact on the development of symptoms of ADHD in children. Individuals with ADHD have been demonstrated to have significantly reduced blood concentrations of PUFAs and, in particular, reduced levels of omega-3 (n-3) PUFAs. These findings suggest that PUFA supplementation may reduce the attention and behavior problems associated with ADHD.Objective: To provide an overview of the efficacy of dietary LC-PUFA supplementation in the treatment of ADHD. Methods: Literature published up until December 2013 on the effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation on ADHD symptoms was obtained using a PubMed search and critically reviewed.Results: Dietary PUFA supplementation appears to have beneficial effects on ADHD symptoms although these effects are small. The clinical relevance of these observations remains to be determined.Conclusion: There is only limited support for the efficacy of PUFA supplementation for the core symptoms of ADHD. Given the small effect sizes regarding PUFA supplementation, it may not be a sufficient therapy for a majority of patients with ADHD.Keywords: diet, nutrition, polyunsaturated fatty acid, PUFA, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD

scholarly journals Supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Banaschewski ◽  
Brendan Belsham ◽  
Michael H Bloch ◽  
Maite Ferrin ◽  
Mats Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Pufa Supplementation ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

While pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions are recommended as the primary frontline treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), alternative approaches to managing ADHD are becoming increasingly popular among patients and their families. Supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is an example of this. PUFA supplementation is not recommended by guidelines for managing ADHD; however, patients may still decide to use it. To provide direction to healthcare professionals (HCPs) managing ADHD, eight international experts in the field of adult and child ADHD came together for the Continuum Education Board: Omega Supplements in ADHD meeting. This commentary summarises the panel's consensus that current evidence suggests PUFA supplementation has a small beneficial effect on behaviour in children with ADHD, and that further high-quality research is needed to clearly evaluate and define its role in the management of ADHD of children, adolescents and adults. The panel concluded that in cases where patients use PUFA supplementation, HCPs should be comfortable explaining the potential gains that they may have and their possible side effects. The panel also concluded HCPs should not reinforce the idea that PUFA supplementation should replace treatment approaches with a more robust evidence base for managing ADHD.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document