Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation for ADHD? Fishy, Fascinating, and Far from Clear

Busch, Betsy

doi:10.1097/01.dbp.0000267560.34199.e0

Cited by 20 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Movement quality may predict developmental problems like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and learning problems (Touwen, 1979;SooraniLunsing et al, 1993;Weisglas-Kuperus et al, 1994;Kroes et al, 2002). Therefore, our finding is in line with the idea that LCPUFA status might also be associated to this kind of disorders (Stevens et al, 1995;Burgess et al, 2000;Richardson and Montgomery, 2005;Sinn and Bryan, 2007), although the evidence for this idea is inconsistent (Busch, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Relationship between long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids at birth and motor function at 7 years of age

et al. 2007

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Background/Objectives: Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) rapidly accumulate in the central nervous system (CNS) during the perinatal CNS growth spurt. This particularly concerns arachidonic acid (AA: 20:4nÀ6) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA: 22:6nÀ3), which are thought to play important roles in CNS development and function. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between motor function at 7 years of age and the levels of AA and DHA in umbilical venous plasma phospholipids, representing the prenatal availability of these fatty acids, and in plasma phospholipids sampled at age 7 years. Subjects/Methods: Motor function was assessed both quantitatively (the ability to perform a movement) and qualitatively (how the movement is performed) with the Maastricht Motor Test (MMT) in 306 children, born at term, at 7 years of age as part of a follow-up study. Results: Backward stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed a significant, positive relation between umbilical plasma DHA concentrations (but not plasma DHA levels at 7 years) and the MMT total and quality score, corrected for the covariables gender, cognitive performance, gestational age and age at measurement (partial b ¼ 0.13, P ¼ 0.01 and 0.14, P ¼ 0.01, respectively). The contributions of DHA and AA (both at birth and at 7 years of age) to quantitative movement scores were not significant. Conclusions: Our results suggest that prenatal DHA availability, which can be influenced by maternal dietary DHA intake during pregnancy, can have an effect on quality of movement in later life.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Relationship between long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids at birth and motor function at 7 years of age

et al. 2007

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“…(36) found an improvement in schizophrenic patients by EPA, but not by DHA, administration. Also, several studies have reported improvements in children with neuropsychiatric problems supplemented with an EPA-rich fish oil; however, the results have not been consistent (3,37–39). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Effect of fish oils containing different amounts of EPA, DHA, and antioxidants on plasma and brain fatty acids and brain nitric oxide synthase activity in rats

Engström¹,

Saldeen²,

Yang³

et al. 2009

Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences

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BackgroundThe interest in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has expanded significantly in the last few years, due to their many positive effects described. Consequently, the interest in fish oil supplementation has also increased, and many different types of fish oil supplements can be found on the market. Also, it is well known that these types of fatty acids are very easily oxidized, and that stability among supplements varies greatly.Aims of the studyIn this pilot study we investigated the effects of two different types of natural fish oils containing different amounts of the n-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and antioxidants on plasma and brain fatty acids, blood lipids, vitamin E, and in vivo lipid peroxidation, as well as brain nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, an enzyme which has been shown to be important for memory and learning ability.MethodsSprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups and fed regular rat chow pellets enriched with 5% (w/w) of butter (control group), a natural fish oil (17.4% EPA and 11.7% DHA, referred to as EPA-rich), and a natural fish oil rich in DHA (7.7% EPA and 28.0% DHA, referred to as DHA-rich). Both of the fish oils were stabilized by a commercial antioxidant protection system (Pufanox®) at production. The fourth group received the same DHA-rich oil, but without Pufanox® stabilization (referred to as unstable). As an index of stability of the oils, their peroxide values were repeatedly measured during 9 weeks. The dietary treatments continued until sacrifice, after 10 days.ResultsStability of the oils varied greatly. It took the two stabilized oils 9 weeks to reach the same peroxide value as the unstable oil reached after only a few days. Both the stabilized EPA- and DHA-rich diets lowered the triacylglycerols and total cholesterol compared to control (-45%, P < 0.05 and -54%, P < 0.001; -31%, P < 0.05 and -25%, P < 0.01) and so did the unstable oil, but less efficiently. Only the unstable oil increased in vivo lipid peroxidation significantly compared to control (+40%, P < 0.001). Most of the fatty acids in the plasma phospholipids were significantly affected by both the EPA- and DHA-rich diets compared to control, reflecting their specific fatty acid pattern. The unstable oil diet resulted in smaller changes, especially in n-3 PUFAs. In the brain phospholipids the changes were less pronounced, and only the diet enriched with the stabilized DHA-rich oil resulted in a significantly greater incorporation of DHA (+13%, P < 0.01), as well as total n-3 PUFAs (+13%, P < 0.01) compared to control. Only the stabilized DHA-rich oil increased the brain NOS activity (+33%, P < 0.01).ConclusionsBoth the EPA- and DHA-rich diets affected the blood lipids in a similarly positive manner, and they both had a large impact on plasma phospholipid fatty acids. It was only the unstable oil that increased in vivo lipid peroxidation. However, the intake of DHA was more important than that of EPA for brain phospholipid DHA enrichment and brain NOS act...

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“…Even though a number of methodologically convincing studies have demonstrated a significant benefit for LC-PUFA supplementation with respect to an improvement in clinical symptoms among children with neuropsychiatric disorders such as ADHD, some individual studies have shown considerable shortcomings [26]. Apart from inconsistencies in the methodology, primarily diagnostic discrepancies between the various studies were criticised, since the classification of symptoms in relation to comorbidities of the various neuropsychiatric clinical pictures in particular, varied from one study to another.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Significance of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for the development and behaviour of children

et al. 2009

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omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a central role in the normal development and functioning of the brain and central nervous system. Long-chain PUFAs (LC-PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5omega-3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6omega-3) and arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4omega-6), in particular, are involved in numerous neuronal processes, ranging from effects on membrane fluidity to gene expression regulation. Deficiencies and imbalances of these nutrients, not only during the developmental phase but throughout the whole life span, have significant effects on brain function. Numerous observational studies have shown a link between childhood developmental disorders and omega-6:omega-3 fatty acid imbalances. For instance, neurocognitive disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism spectrum disorders are often associated with a relative lack of omega-3 fatty acids. In addition to a high omega-6 fatty acid intake and, in many cases, an insufficient supply of omega-3 fatty acids among the population, evidence is increasing to suggest that PUFA metabolism can be impaired in individuals with ADHD. In this context, PUFA imbalances are being discussed as potential risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders. Another focus is whether the nutritive PUFA requirements-especially long-chain omega-3 fatty acid requirements-are higher among some individuals. Meanwhile, several controlled studies investigated the clinical benefits of LC-PUFA supplementation in affected children and adolescents, with occasionally conflicting results.

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Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation for ADHD? Fishy, Fascinating, and Far from Clear

Cited by 20 publications

References 27 publications

Relationship between long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids at birth and motor function at 7 years of age

Relationship between long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids at birth and motor function at 7 years of age

Effect of fish oils containing different amounts of EPA, DHA, and antioxidants on plasma and brain fatty acids and brain nitric oxide synthase activity in rats

Significance of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for the development and behaviour of children

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