Efficacy of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as an adjuvant treatment in patients with ADHD receiving methylphenidate as well as its side effects.

Method: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 40 ADHD patients aged between 6 and 12 years. Both treatment and placebo groups received methylphenidate. Treatment arm also received omega-6 once daily. The Parent ADHD Rating Scale was used to evaluate disease improvement.

Results: The Parent ADHD Rating Scale scores of the two groups were similar at baseline. Although total score and scores of three categories decreased significantly in both groups, total score and scores of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity were not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion: The results did not support the efficacy of PUFA in the treatment of ADHD, and adding PUFAs to the therapeutic regimen of ADHD is not recommended at the moment.

Keywords: ADHD; polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).