Milte, Catherine M. and Parletta, Natalie and Buckley, Jonathan D. and Coates, Alison M. and Young, Ross M. and Howe, Peter R. C. (2015) Increased erythrocyte eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid are associated with improved attention and behavior in children with adhd in a randomized controlled three-way crossover trial. Journal of Attention Disorders, 19 (11). pp. 954-964. ISSN 1087-0547
Abstract
Objective: To investigate effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on attention, literacy, and behavior in children with ADHD. Method: Ninety children were randomized to consume supplements high in EPA, DHA, or linoleic acid (control) for 4 months each in a crossover design. Erythrocyte fatty acids, attention, cognition, literacy, and Conners’ Parent Rating Scales (CPRS) were measured at 0, 4, 8, 12 months. Results: Fifty-three children completed the treatment. Outcome measures showed no significant differences between the three treatments. However, in children with blood samples (n = 76-46), increased erythrocyte EPA + DHA was associated with improved spelling (r =.365, p <.001) and attention (r = −.540, p <.001) and reduced oppositional behavior (r = −.301, p <.003), hyperactivity (r = −.310, p <.001), cognitive problems (r = −.326, p <.001), Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) hyperactivity (r = −.270, p =.002) and DSM-IV inattention (r = −.343, p <.001). Conclusion: Increasing erythrocyte DHA and EPA via dietary supplementation may improve behavior, attention, and literacy in children with ADHD.
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Item Type: | Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C) |
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Refereed: | Yes |
Item Status: | Live Archive |
Additional Information: | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | No Faculty |
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | No Faculty |
Date Deposited: | 04 Jun 2017 23:41 |
Last Modified: | 04 Jun 2017 23:41 |
Uncontrolled Keywords: | ADD/ADHD; Behavior; Cognition; Fatty acid; Nutrition; Attention; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Child; Child Behavior; Cognition; Dietary Fats; Dietary Supplements; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Erythrocytes; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 |
Fields of Research (2008): | 11 Medical and Health Sciences > 1111 Nutrition and Dietetics > 111103 Nutritional Physiology |
Fields of Research (2020): | 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3210 Nutrition and dietetics > 321004 Nutritional science |
Socio-Economic Objectives (2008): | E Expanding Knowledge > 97 Expanding Knowledge > 970111 Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences |
Identification Number or DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054713510562 |
URI: | http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/31575 |
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