Abstract # 3130 Omega-3 fatty acids improve attention in youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) supplementation (mainly eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) on clinical symptoms in youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). One hundred and five youth with a DSM-IV diagnosed ADHD were recruited from a medical centre. The youth were randomised into two groups, one group received n-3 PUFAs (1 g EPA) and the other group received placebo (1 g olive oil) for 12 weeks. The youth were assessed for their ADHD symptoms with SNAP-IV scales at baseline, weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12; ninety-eight had completed the study. Overall, there was no difference in symptom reduction between n-3 PUFAs and placebo groups. However, when we analysed the data of 29 youth with ADHD, predominantly inattentive and combined subtypes, without comorbidity such as oppositional defiant disorder, the omega-3 group (n = 17, age 9.7+ 4.2 years) had a greater reduction in inattention subscale scores and total ADHD scores at week 8 (p = .003, p = .006) and week 12 (p = .029, p = .040) than placebo group (n = 12, age 8.8+ 3.1). In conclusion, n-3 PUFAs supplementation such as EPA, improve attention in a subpopulation of youth with ADHD.