Children (6-12 years) with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) being treated with methylphenidate and standard behavior therapy for more than 6 months, whose parents reported no improvement in behavior and academic learning, were randomly assigned to receive supplementation with a combined ω3 and ω6 preparation or a placebo. Outcome was measured at 3 and 6 months after treatment using a self-assessment checklist completed by the parents. Statistically significant improvement was found in the treatment group compared with the placebo group (P < .01) in the following measures: restlessness, aggressiveness, completing work, and academic performance. Statistically significant improvement was not found at 3 months of treatment between groups but was evident at 6 months of treatment (P < .05) with inattention, impulsiveness, and cooperation with parents and teachers. Distractibility failed to show improvement. Effect sizes ranged from 0.3 to 1.1 at 3 months and 0.2 to 1.4 at 6 months for individual symptom variables.
DiScalaCLescohierIBarthelMLiG. Injuries to chidren with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics. 1998;102(6):1415–1421.
2.
BarkleyRAMurphyKRKwasnikD. Motor vehicle driving competencies and risks in teens and young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics. 1996;98(6 pt 1):1089–1095.
3.
ManuzzaSKeinRGBesslerAEducational and occupational outcome of hyperactive children grown up. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997;36(9):1222–1227.
4.
AbikoffHHechtmanLKleinRGSymptomatic improvement in children with ADHD treated with long-term methylphenidate and multimodal psychosocial treatment. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2004;43(7):802–811.
5.
Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD Cooperative Group A. 14-month randomized clinical trial of treatment strategies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999;56(12):1073–1086.
6.
PliszkaSRCrismonMLHughesCWThe Texas Children’s Medication Algorithm Project: revision of the algorithm for pharmacotherapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006;45(6):642–657.
7.
BiedermanJMonuteauxMCMickEYoung adult outcome of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a controlled 10-year follow-up studyPsycho Med2006;36(2):167–179.
8.
JensenPSHinshawSPKraemerHCADHD comorbidity findings from the MTA study: comparing comorbid subgroups. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2001;40(2):147–158.
9.
BladerJCPliszkaSRJensenPSStimulant-responsive and stimulant-refractory aggressive behavior among children with ADHD. Pediatrics. 2010;126(4): e796–806.
10.
ConnorDFOzbayrakKRKusiakKACaponiAB. Combined pharmacotherapy in children and adolescents in a residential treatment center. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997;36(2):248–254.
11.
SaferDJ. Changing patterns of psychotropic medications prescribed by child psychiatrists in the 1990 s. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 1997;7(4):267–274.
12.
BladerJC. Pharmacotherapy and postdischarge outcomes of child inpatients admitted for aggressive behavior. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2006;26(4):419–425.
13.
PatelNCCrismonMLHoagwoodKTrends in the use of typical and atypical antipsychotics in children and adolescents. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2005;44(6):548–556.
14.
PatelNCCrismonMLHoagwoodKRisperidone effects in the presence/absence of psychostimulant medicine in children with ADHD, other disruptive behavior disorders, and subaverage IQ. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2004;14(2):243–254.
15.
BladerJCSchoolerNRJensenPSAdjunctive divalproex versus placebo for children with ADHD and aggression refractory to stimulant monotherapy. Am J Psychiatry. 2009;166(12):1392–1401.
16.
ColterALCutlerCMecklingKA. Fatty acid status and behavioral symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adolescents: a case control study. Nutr J. 2008;7. http://www.nutritionj.com/content/7/1/8Accessed July 15, 2011.
17.
RichardsonAJRossMA. Fatty acid metabolism in neurodevelopmental disorder: a new perspective on associations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia and the autistic spectrum. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2000;63(1-2):1–9.
18.
BourreJMDurandGPascalGYouyouA. Brain cell and tissue recovery in rats made deficient in n-3 fatty acids by alteration of dietary fat. J Nutr. 1989;119(12):15–22.
19.
GeschMJHammondSMHampsonSEInfluence of supplementary vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids on the antisocial behavior of young adult prisoners: randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry. 2002;181:22–28.
20.
JohnsonMOstlundSFranssonGOmega-3/omega-6 fatty acids for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomized placebo-controlled trial in children and adolescents. J Atten Disord. 2009; 12(5):394–401.
21.
RichardsonAJPuriBK. A randomized double-blind, placebo controlled study of the effects of supplementation with highly unsaturated fatty acids on ADHD-related symptoms in children with specific learning difficulties. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2002;26(2):233–239.
22.
StevensLZhangWPeckLEFA supplementation in children with inattention, hyperactivity, and other disruptive behaviours. Lipids. 2003;38(10):1007–1021.
23.
RichardsonAJMontgomeryP. The Oxford-Durham Study: a randomized, controlled trial of dietary supplementation with fatty acids in children with developmental coordination disorder. Pediatrics. 2005;115(5):1360–1366.
24.
AbenADanckaertsM. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD [abstract in English]. Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie. 2010;52(2):89–97.
25.
ChalonS. The role of fatty acids in the treatment of ADHD. Neuropharmacology. 2009;57(7-8):636–639.
26.
RazRGabisL. Essential fatty acids and attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2009;51(8):580–592.
27.
TranslerCEilanderAMitchellSvan de MeerN. The impact of polyunsaturated fatty acids in reducing child attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders. J Atten Disord. 2010;14(3):232–246.
28.
VirkunenMEHorrobinDFJenkinsDKMankuMS. Plasma phospholipids, essential fatty acids and prostaglandins in alcoholic, habitually violent and impulsive offenders. Biol Psychiatry. 1987;22(9):1087–1096.
29.
PereraHJeevandaraKCSeneviratneSGurugeC. Assessment of outcome of an ADHD treatment programme using parent feedback. Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry. 2010;1(2):51–55.
