OBJECTIVES: To review the impact of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in reducing ADHD symptoms in children. METHODS: Peer-reviewed experimental literature published from 1980 to Mai 2009 is consulted (Psychinfo, Medline, and resulting reference lists). RESULTS: Placebo-controlled studies with ADHD or hyperactive children show no effects on behaviors or cognition when only n-6 (omega-6) PUFA, only docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or n-6 and n-3 (omega-3) short-chain PUFA are supplemented. Yet three out of four studies suggest that a combination of long-chain n-3 and n-6 fatty acids (DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA], and gamma-linolenic acid [GLA]) supplemented daily for 3 to 4 months could lead to a reduction in ADHD symptomatology. Results on cognitive outcomes are inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence is too limited to reach definitive conclusions but suggests that research on the impact of long-chain PUFA (n-3 and n-6) should continue with special focus on individual differences (genetic and fatty acid markers), mechanisms (brain imaging), and new enhanced methods of systematic observations of behaviors.
OBJECTIVES: To review the impact of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in reducing ADHD symptoms in children. METHODS: Peer-reviewed experimental literature published from 1980 to Mai 2009 is consulted (Psychinfo, Medline, and resulting reference lists). RESULTS: Placebo-controlled studies with ADHD or hyperactivechildren show no effects on behaviors or cognition when only n-6 (omega-6) PUFA, only docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or n-6 and n-3 (omega-3) short-chain PUFA are supplemented. Yet three out of four studies suggest that a combination of long-chain n-3 and n-6 fatty acids (DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA], and gamma-linolenic acid [GLA]) supplemented daily for 3 to 4 months could lead to a reduction in ADHD symptomatology. Results on cognitive outcomes are inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence is too limited to reach definitive conclusions but suggests that research on the impact of long-chain PUFA (n-3 and n-6) should continue with special focus on individual differences (genetic and fatty acid markers), mechanisms (brain imaging), and new enhanced methods of systematic observations of behaviors.
Authors: Alessandro Crippa; Christian Salvatore; Erika Molteni; Maddalena Mauri; Antonio Salandi; Sara Trabattoni; Carlo Agostoni; Massimo Molteni; Maria Nobile; Isabella Castiglioni Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2017-10-03 Impact factor: 4.157