[Zinc in the therapy of the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. A preliminar randomized controlled
José Zamora1, Alvaro Velásquez, Ledia Troncoso
1Departamento de Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina Campus Centro, Universidad de Chile. Servicio de Neuropsiquiatría Infantil, Hospital San Boja-Arriarán, Chile.
Insights
Zinc supplementation may improve attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children. This study found apparent behavioral improvements in ADHD patients receiving zinc alongside methylphenidate, with plasma zinc levels decreasing more in the placebo group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Nutritional Neuroscience
- Psychopharmacology
Context:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children.
- Zinc is a vital micronutrient with a potential role in neurological function and behavior.
- Adjuvant therapies are explored to enhance treatment efficacy for ADHD.
Purpose:
- To investigate the effect of zinc supplementation as an adjuvant therapy to methylphenidate in pediatric ADHD patients.
- To evaluate changes in plasma zinc levels and behavioral symptoms using standardized rating scales.
Summary:
- A double-blind, controlled study randomized 40 pediatric ADHD patients to receive methylphenidate plus either zinc sulfate or a placebo for six weeks.
- Plasma zinc levels decreased over six weeks, with a more significant reduction observed in the placebo group.
- Teacher-reported ADHD symptoms showed a non-significant trend toward improvement with zinc supplementation (p=0.07), while parent reports did not reveal significant differences.
Impact:
- Findings suggest that zinc supplementation may have a beneficial, albeit non-statistically significant, effect on ADHD symptoms in children.
- The study highlights the importance of monitoring zinc levels in pediatric ADHD patients, as levels may decrease during treatment.
- Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to confirm the efficacy of zinc as an adjuvant therapy for ADHD.
Abstract:
The attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological/behavioral disorder which begins in childhood. Zinc has a potential role as an adjuvant therapy for ADHD. The objective was to evaluate the effect ofZn supplementation on behavior, as a complementary therapy to metylphenidate, in pediatrics patients with ADHD. In a controlled, double blind design, 40 patients with clinical criteria ofADHD (DSM-IV) and psychometric evaluation (WISC-R), were selected (31 boys and 9 girls, 7-14 years of age). They were randomized to receive methylphenidate 0.3 mg/kg/d + placebo (sucrose) (group placebo, GPL) or methylphenidate 0.3 mg/kg/d + zinc (sulfate) 10 mg/d (group Zn, GZN) for 6 weeks. A blood sample was drawn at time 0 and 6 weeks, for plasma Zn analysis. The teacher and parent ADHD rating scale (Conners' global index, CGI) was applied at both times. Among the results, plasma Zn was normal at time 0, decreasing especially in the GPL after 6 weeks (GPL: 95.9 +/- 21.5 to 77.9 +/- 15.5; GZN: 90.3 +/- 9.1 to 85.0 +/- 12.0 microg/dL; NS). The CGI by teachers showed a non-significant improvement with Zn: GPL: 18 (9-28) to 16 points (2-26); GZN: 19 (6-24) to 11 points (3-23) (p = 0.07); no significant difference in the CGI by parents by groups was found: GPL: 19 (7-25) to 13 (3-22); GZN: 19(7-25) to 11(2-19). We conclude that a decrease in plasma Zn levels in both groups was found, greater in the placebo group. An apparent improvement in ADHD signs in children was observed with the Zn supplementation, according to the Conners global index by teachers.
