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The influence of short-chain essential fatty acids on children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a
Raanan Raz1, Rafael L Carasso, Shlomo Yehuda
1The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Weinberg Child Development Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. raanan.raz@sheba.health.gov.il
Insights
Short-chain essential fatty acid (EFA) supplementation did not show significant benefits over placebo for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Further research is needed to explore EFA
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Neuroscience
- Pediatric Psychiatry
Background:
- Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are crucial for neurological development and function.
- Altered EFA profiles have been observed in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Previous supplementation studies yielded mixed results, with open-label trials showing promise and randomized controlled trials often failing to demonstrate efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of short-chain EFA supplementation in improving ADHD symptoms.
- To compare the effects of EFA supplementation versus placebo in children diagnosed with ADHD.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted.
- Participants included 73 unmedicated children (aged 7-13 years) diagnosed with ADHD.
- The intervention involved 7 weeks of daily supplementation with either EFAs (linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid) or vitamin C (placebo).
- Symptom assessment utilized parent/teacher questionnaires and a computerized continuous performance test.
Main Results:
- Both EFA supplementation and placebo interventions led to some symptom amelioration.
- No statistically significant differences in treatment effects were observed between the EFA group and the placebo group.
- The study found no superior benefit of short-chain EFA supplementation over placebo for ADHD symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Short-chain EFA supplementation did not demonstrate a significant therapeutic advantage over placebo in this ADHD population.
- The findings suggest that short-chain EFAs may not be an effective standalone treatment for ADHD symptoms.
- Further investigation into different EFA formulations or combinations may be warranted.
Abstract:
Essential fatty acids (EFA) are needed for normal sensory, cognitive, and motor function. The EFA blood profile seems to be different in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as compared to matched controls. Previous open EFA supplementation trials were successful in demonstrating significant therapeutic effects in this population, whereas most of the randomized controlled trials failed to show any benefit over placebo. The current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial tested the influence of short-chain EFA supplementation on ADHD children, using parent and teacher questionnaires and a computerized continuous performance test. A total of 73 unmedicated children aged 7-13 years with a diagnosis of ADHD participated in the study; 63 children completed the study. The EFA supplement contained 480 mg of linoleic acid and 120 mg of alpha-linolenic acid, and the placebo contained 1000 mg of vitamin C (daily amounts); both were given for a 7-week supplementation period. Analysis of variance for repeated measures revealed that both treatments ameliorated some of the symptoms, but no significant differences were found between the groups in any of the treatment effects.
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