Healthy Living
Essential Fatty Acids Metabolism In Boys With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
By Stevens LJ, Zentall SS, Deck JL, Abate ML, Watkins BA, Lipp SR, Burgess JR
Address: Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1264, USA.
Source: Am J Clin Nutr 1995 Oct;62(4):761-8
Abstract:
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the term used to
describe children who are inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive.
The cause is unknown and is thought to be multifactorial. Based on
the work of others, we hypothesized that some children with ADHD have
altered fatty acid metabolism. The present study found that 53 subjects
with ADHD had significantly lower concentrations of key fatty acids
in the plasma polar lipids (20:4n-6, 20:5n-3, and 22:6n-3) and in
red blood cell total lipids (20:4n-6 and 22:4n-6) than did the 43
control subjects. Also, a subgroup of 21 subjects with ADHD exhibiting
many symptoms of essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency had significantly
lower plasma concentrations of 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3 than did 32 subjects
with ADHD with few EFA-deficiency symptoms. The data are discussed
with respect to cause, but the precise reason for lower fatty acid
concentrations in some children with ADHD is not clear.