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. 2019 May 8:15:1193-1209.
doi: 10.2147/NDT.S206020. eCollection 2019.

Supplementation with high-content docosahexaenoic acid triglyceride in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Celestino Rodríguez  1 , Trinidad García  1 , Débora Areces  1   2 , Estrella Fernández  1 , Marcelino García-Noriega  3 , Joan Carles Domingo  4
Affiliations

Supplementation with high-content docosahexaenoic acid triglyceride in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Celestino Rodríguez et al. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. .

Abstract

Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex disorder in terms of etiology, clinical presentation, and treatment outcome. Pharmacological and psychological interventions are recommended as primary treatments in ADHD; however, other nonpharmacological intervention such as a dietary supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) has emerged as an attractive option. Purpose: The objective of the present study was to assess whether dietary supplementation with highly concentrated ω-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) triglyceride may improve symptoms in ADHD. Method: A 6-month prospective double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial was designed in 66 patients with ADHD, aged between 6 and 18 years. Participants in the experimental group received a combination of ω-3 fatty acids (DHA 1,000 mg, eicosapentaenoic acid 90 mg, and docosapentaenoic acid 150 mg). Instruments included d2-test, AULA Nesplora, EDAH scales, and abbreviated Conner's Rating Scale. Results: In the cognitive test, between-group differences were not found, but within-group differences were of a greater magnitude in the DHA group. Between-group differences in favor of the DHA arm were observed in behavioral measures, which were already detected after 3 months of treatment. Results were not changed when adjusted by ADHD medication. Conclusions: This study provides further evidence of the beneficial effect of supplementation with ω-3 DHA in the management of ADHD.

Keywords: PUFAs; attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); omega 3.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Participants flow from enrollment to final sample.Abbreviations: DHA, decosahexaenoic acid; IQ, intellectual quotient; WISC, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children; ADHD, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; EDAH, Assessment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Scale.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean differences between the final visit at 6 months and baseline in d2 variables with statistically significance in within-group comparisons.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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