Zinc in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Neuroscience
• Child Psychiatry

Background:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.
• Zinc is an essential trace element crucial for various bodily functions, including brain development and neurotransmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing scientific literature on the potential role of zinc nutrition in ADHD.
• To evaluate the evidence for zinc's efficacy as a treatment or adjunct therapy for ADHD.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted.
• Authors' expertise supplemented the search findings.

Main Results:

• Numerous studies indicate lower zinc levels in children diagnosed with ADHD compared to controls.
• Some research shows a correlation between zinc levels and ADHD symptom severity.
• Two placebo-controlled trials reported benefits from zinc supplementation, though methodological limitations and cultural differences in diet were noted.

Conclusions:

• The applicability of current zinc research to diverse populations, particularly in the U.S., remains uncertain.
• Further rigorous, controlled studies using well-defined samples are warranted.
• Zinc supplementation shows potential as a safe and affordable adjunctive treatment for ADHD but requires further investigation before widespread clinical use.