The effects of essential fatty acid supplementation by efamol in hyperactive children

Abstract

Thirty-one children, selected for marked inattention and overactivity, were studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of essential fatty acid (EFA) supplementation. Subjects received the active treatment and placebo conditions for 4 weeks each and were assessed on a variety of cognitive, motor, and standardized rating scale measures. EFA supplementation (evening primrose oil; Efamol) resulted in significantly lower levels of palmitoleic acid (a nonessential fatty acid) and higher concentrations of dihomogammalinolenic acid, an EFA previously found to be deficient in some hyperactive children. Supplementation was also associated with significant changes on two performance tasks and with significant improvement to parent ratings on the subscales designated as Attention Problem and Motor Excess of the Revised Behavior Problem Checklist. However, a variety of eight other psychomotor performance tests and two standardized teacher rating scales failed to indicate treatment effects. When the experiment-wise probability level was set at .05, only 2 of 42 variables showed treatment effects. Baseline EFA concentrations appeared to be unrelated to treatment response. It was concluded that EFA supplementation, as employed here, produces minimal or no improvements in hyperactive children selected without regard to baseline EFA concentrations.

Effect of docosahexaenoic acid-containing food administration on symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder — a placebo-controlled double-blind study

“…Interestingly, errors of omission (a simple measure of inattention of the Test of Variables of Attention) performed in their study significantly increased in their DHA group, although there were no significant differences between the DHA and control groups (Voigt et al, 2001). Aman et al (1987) investigated the effects of evening primrose oil on hyperactive children in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. They succeeded in enhancement of the serum levels of dihomo-g-linolenic acid during the evening primrose period, but could hardly show any benefit.…”

The Use of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Mental Illness

“…Half of the trials failed to find a significant benefit with omega-3 supplementation, while others found benefits in subpopulations, mildly ill children, or for limited symptoms only. 112,116,117,120,121,123,125 There were no differences between groups in trials that distinguished between inattentive and hyperactive types. Several of the trials were for disorders related to ADHD.…”

“…[112][113][114][115][116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123][124][125] Few report significant improvements in primary outcome measures with active treatment. Half of the trials failed to find a significant benefit with omega-3 supplementation, while others found benefits in subpopulations, mildly ill children, or for limited symptoms only.…”

The use of alternative therapies in treating children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

“…Another source of essential fatty acids is fish oil, which contains docosahexaenoic acid, a long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid whose obligate precursor is alpha-linolenic acid. However, three blinded placebo controlled studies on essential fatty acid supplementation in children with ADHD showed minimal or no behavioural improvements (37)(38)(39).…”