Effect of supplementation with long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on behavior and cognition in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A randomized placebo-controlled intervention trial
Abstract
Objective To determine whether supplementation with the long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) affects behavioral symptoms and cognitive impairments in children 6-12 years of age diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Study design The randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled 16 weeks trial was conducted with 95 children diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-IV criteria. Behavior was assessed by parents, teachers and investigators using standardized rating scales and questionnaires. Further outcome variables were working memory, speed of information processing and various measures of attention. For a subgroup of 81 participants, erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition was analyzed before and after the intervention. Results Supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acid mix increased EPA and DHA concentrations in erythrocyte membranes and improved working memory function, but had no effect on other cognitive measures and parent- and teacher-rated behavior in the study population. Improved working memory correlated significantly with increased EPA, DHA and decreased AA (arachidonic acid).
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Several clinical trials have shown beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation in ASD and ADHD, but not all results are consistent.
“Several clinical trials have shown beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation in ASD and ADHD, but not all results are consistent and the ratio of EPA and DHA in n-3 PUFA supplements and the overall dietary intake of FAs may affect the clinical outcome62–65.”
From An iPSC-derived astrocyte model of fragile X syndrome exhibits dysregulated cholesterol homeostasis (2023) · cites this paper as [63]
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References 45 · Cited by 103
- Authors
- Widenhorn-Müller, K., Schwanda, S., Scholz, E., Spitzer, M., & Bode, H.
- Affiliations
- Universität Ulm (DE)
- University Hospital Ulm (DE)
- ORCID
- Spitzer, Manfred
- Venue
- Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2014-07
- Volume
- 91
- Issue
- 1-2
- Pages
- 49-60
- ISSN
- 0952-3278 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2029928645
- Cited by
- 103
- References
- 45
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 9.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (01EA1312)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
- Keywords
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, dietary supplementation, children, working memory, cognitive function, behavioral symptoms, erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition, arachidonic acid, attention
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Attention, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Child, Child Behavior, Cognition, Docosahexaenoic Acids, Double-Blind Method, Erythrocyte Membrane, Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Short-Term, Surveys and Questionnaires, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, Dietary Supplements
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