Catherine M. Milte|Natalie Parletta|Jonathan D. Buckley|Alison M. Coates|Ross McD. Young|Peter R. C. Howe
Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, cognition, and behavior in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomized controlled trial
University of South Australia|University of South Australia|University of South Australia|University of South Australia|Queensland University of Technology
determine effects eicosapentaenoic acid eparich oil docosahexaenoic acid dharich oil versus 6 polyunsaturated fatty acidrich safflower oil control literacy behavior children attentiondeficithyperactivity disorder adhd randomized controlled trial supplements rich epa dha safflower oil randomly allocated 4 mo 90 australian children 7 12 old adhd symptoms higher 90th percentile conners rating scales effect supplementation cognition literacy parentrated behavior assessed linear mixed modeling pearson correlations determined associations changes outcome measurements erythrocyte fatty acid content percentage total baseline 4 mo significant differences supplement groups primary outcomes 4 mo however erythrocyte fatty acid profiles indicated increased proportion dha associated improved word reading r 0394 lower parent ratings oppositional behavior r 0392 effects evident subgroup 17 children learning difficulties increased erythrocyte dha associated improved word reading r 0683 improved spelling r 0556 improved ability divide attention r 0676 lower parent ratings oppositional behavior r 0777 hyperactivity r 0702 restlessness r 0705 overall adhd symptoms r 0665 increases erythrocyte 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids specifically dha may improve literacy behavior children adhd greatest benefit may observed children comorbid learning difficulties