Effects of dietary supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids on hyperactivity and serum inflammatory mediators in children with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder

There is evidence showing that increased inflammatory mediators and reduced serum levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids may be present in patients with neurodevelopment and psychiatric disorders, e.g. attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. (ADHD). The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on hyperactivity, attention deficit, and serum inflammatory mediators in children with ADHD This was an 8-week randomized double-blind clinical trial. The participants were 103 6 to12-year old children with ADHD receiving effective maintenance therapy, who were assigned randomly to receive either a daily omega-3 supplement (635 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 195 mg docosahexaenoic acid (intervention group) or a placebo visually similar to the omega-3 capsules (placebo group). The serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined at baseline and at the end of the period. In addition, the abbreviated 10-item Conners parent rating scale (CPRS) was completed for each child before and after the intervention. The intervention brought about statistically significant reductions in the levels of CRP and IL-6 and a significant improvement in the CPRS score in the omega-3 group. The findings indicate that dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can have desirable effects on hyperactivity, attention deficit and inflammatory mediators in children with ADHD.