Research: Omega-3/Omega-6 Fatty Acids for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial in Children and Adolescents

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Authored by Johnson, M., Ostlund S., Fransson G., Kadesjo B., and Gillberg C. in Journal of Attention Disorders, Volume 12, Issue 5, p. 394-401, (2009).

Article summary (posted Jul 13, 2009):

Omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid supplements may help children with autism and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

This article describes a randomized, placebo-controlled study of 75 children and adolescents (8-18 years old) diagnosed with ADHD. Children had ADHD symptoms including poor concentration (attention deficit) and/or hyperactivity. Some of the children had other symptoms in addition to ADHD, including Asperger's and autism-like symptoms. The authors described the autism-like symptoms as deficits in motor control and perception. Children received a daily dose of 732 mg omega-3 fatty acids, 60 mg omega-6 fatty acids, and 10.8 mg vitamin E. Some children improved after 3 months of supplements, and more improved after 6 months of supplements. For people with inattention or autism-like symptoms, 58% improved after 6 months. The authors think that essential fatty acid supplements may help children with autism who show deficits in attention, motor control, and perception ("DAMP syndrome").

Links:

You can access the original abstract and the complete paper is sometimes available for free via Google Scholar (look for entries that say "PDF" or "HTML" on the right side of the page).
Asperger Syndrome, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, control, controlled study, DAMP syndrome, essential fatty acids (EFA), hyperactivity, omega-3, omega-6, placebo, supplements, vitamin
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