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Effect of Omega-3 and Korean Red Ginseng on Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: An Open-Label
Jeewon Lee1, Areum Lee1, Ji-Hoon Kim2
1Department of Psychiatry, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
Insights
This study found that omega-3 and Korean red ginseng supplements significantly improved attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and cognitive functions like attention and memory in children. Further research is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Nutritional Neuroscience
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children.
- Current treatments for ADHD have limitations, necessitating exploration of alternative interventions.
- Omega-3 fatty acids and Korean red ginseng are recognized for their potential cognitive and neurological benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of a combined omega-3 and Korean red ginseng supplement in managing ADHD symptoms.
- To assess the impact of this combination on cognitive functions in children diagnosed with ADHD.
Main Methods:
- An open-label trial involving 40 children (aged 6-12) with ADHD.
- Participants received a daily supplement of omega-3 (500 mg) and Korean red ginseng extract (3 mg) for 12 weeks.
- ADHD symptoms were evaluated using ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scales, alongside neuropsychological tests.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in ADHD-RS and CGI-S scores were observed post-treatment (p < 0.001).
- Improvements noted in sustained attention, memory (immediate and delayed recall), and executive functions.
- The combination supplement was well-tolerated by participants.
Conclusions:
- The combination of omega-3 and Korean red ginseng shows promise in improving ADHD symptoms and cognitive deficits in children.
- This pilot study suggests a potential therapeutic role for this supplement in pediatric ADHD management.
- Further investigation via randomized placebo-controlled trials with larger cohorts is recommended.
Objective:
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of omega-3 and Korean red ginseng on improving attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and cognitive function in children with ADHD.
Methods:
A total of 40 children aged 6 to 12 years diagnosed with ADHD participated in this open-label trial. Participants received daily supplements containing 500 mg of omega-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid, 294 mg; docosahexaenoic acid, 206 mg) and 3 mg of Korean red ginseng extract (combination of ginsenoside Rg1, Rb1, and Rg3) for 12 weeks. No psychotropic drug was allowed during the study period. ADHD symptoms were assessed using the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale. Neuropsychological tests on sustained attention, short-term memory, and executive function were also assessed.
Results:
After 12 weeks, participants showed significant improvements on ADHD-RS (31.12 ± 8.82 at baseline, 24.15 ± 11.45 at endpoint; p < 0.001) and CGI-S (3.38 ± 1.18 at baseline, 2.94 ± 1.00 at endpoint; p < 0.001). On the Continuous Performance Test, commission errors significantly decreased, while reaction time significantly increased. Immediate recall and delayed recall on both Auditory Verbal Learning Test and Complex Figure Test showed significant improvements. Scores of Color-Word Task from Stroop Color-Word Test also showed significant improvements after the treatment. The supplement was well tolerated.
Conclusion:
The results of this pilot study suggest that the combination of omega-3 and Korean red ginseng may improve ADHD symptoms and cognitive function including attention, memory, and executive function in children with ADHD. Future randomized placebo-controlled trials with a larger sample is warranted.
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