Omega-3/Omega-6 Fatty Acids for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Trial in Children and Adolescents

Overview

Objective: To assess whether supplementation with Omega 3/6 fatty acids (eye q®) was effective in the treatment of ADHD and its diagnostic subtypes and comorbid conditions, in children and adolescents. Method: Randomized placebo-controlled one-way crossover trial with 75 children and adolescents aged 8-18 years receiving Omega 3/6 or placebo for three months followed by 3 months with Omega 3/6 for all. ADHD symptoms were measured with the investigator-rated ADHD Rating Scale-IV-Parent Version and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale of symptom severity and impairment.

The study design is a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial with a total duration of 6 months. 50-100 children and adolescents, aged 8-18 years, who meet the DSM-IVÔ criteria for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) of any subtype will be given the opportunity to participate. The study comprises 2 study periods. Study Period I This is an assessment/evaluation and drug washout phase of up to 1-3 months for those patients taking any medication excluded by the protocol. Study Period II Participants will be randomised to 3 months of treatment with a fixed dose of 6 capsules per day of EyeQ, divided in two daily doses, to supply 558 mg EPA, 174 mg DHA and 60 mg GLA daily, or to placebo. Identical capsules containing olive oil will be used as placebo. Randomisation will be organized by Equazen UK Ltd, who will prepare randomisation numbers to be sent out to the investigation centre. At 3 months a one-way treatment crossover of the placebo-group to active treatment will be made so that both patient groups will receive EyeQ for the remaining 3-month period. Compliance will be ascertained through bi-weekly telephone contacts and at each visit. Compliance is defined as taking the prescribed dosage \>70% of the days in a visit interval. Neuropsychiatric assessment: DSM IV checklist ADHD-Rating Scale IV - Parent:Inv Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale GAF-scale FTF teacher questionnaire SNAP-IV teacher questionnaire Brown's ADD teacher scale Neuropsychological assessment: WISC-III® or WAIS-III® VMI Digit span Span-board task Qb-test Brown's ADD self report CDI (Children's Depression Inventory) Five to Fifteen (FTF) parent questionnaire Brown's ADD parent scale SNAP-IV parent questionnaire Nijmegen questionnaire HUFA deficiency questionnaire Reading and writing tests: DLS etc