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Association Between Fatty Acids Profile and Cerebral Blood Flow: An Exploratory fNIRS Study on Children with and
Silvia Grazioli1, Alessandro Crippa2, Maddalena Mauri3,4
1Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, 23842, Bosisio Parini, Italy. silvia.grazioli@lanostrafamiglia.it.
Insights
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may be linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Lower arachidonic acid levels were found in children with ADHD, suggesting PUFAs
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are crucial for brain function.
- Altered PUFA levels have been implicated in various neurological conditions.
- The potential of PUFA biostatus as a biomarker for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the association between PUFA levels and cerebral cortex metabolism in children with and without ADHD.
- To investigate the relationship between specific fatty acids (linoleic, arachidonic, docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic) and brain activity during a working memory task.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 24 children with ADHD and 22 typically developing (TD) children (aged 8-14).
- Assessed whole blood levels of key PUFAs.
- Utilized functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during an n-back working memory task to measure cerebral cortex metabolism.
Main Results:
- Children with ADHD exhibited lower levels of arachidonic acid compared to TD peers.
- TD participants showed stronger fNIRS signals, particularly on more challenging tasks.
- Significant correlations were observed between frontoparietal hemodynamic changes and PUFA profiles.
- Eicosapentaenoic acid levels inversely affected oxyhemoglobin in the right frontoparietal region.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary findings suggest a potential role for PUFAs in atypical neurodevelopment associated with ADHD.
- PUFA biostatus may be associated with altered brain metabolism and function in children with ADHD.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these associations and explore therapeutic implications.
Abstract:
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) biostatus has been proposed as possible attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis biomarker. The present exploratory study aimed to investigate the association between PUFAs biostatus and cerebral cortex metabolism measured by functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) in a sample of children with and without ADHD. 24 children with ADHD and 22 typically developing (TD) peers, aged 8-14, were recruited. Linoleic, arachidonic, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids levels were evaluated in whole blood. All children underwent fNIRS while performing an n-back working memory task. Between groups comparisons revealed lower levels of arachidonic acid in children with ADHD and stronger NIRS signal in TD participants, especially when completing more difficult tasks. Correlations conducted between fNIRS activation and PUFA biostatus revealed several associations between hemodynamic changes in the frontoparietal regions and fatty acids profile across participants. This result was also confirmed by the multiple hierarchical regression analyses that remarked an inverse effect of eicosapentaenoic acid levels on oxyhemoglobin values in right frontoparietal region. Such preliminary findings, if confirmed, would suggest that PUFAs could play a role in atypical neurodevelopment.
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