Total red blood cell concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids are associated with emotion-elicited neural activity in adolescent boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Gow RV, Matsudaira T, Taylor E, Rubia K, Crawford M, Ghebremeskel K, Ibrahimovic A, Vallée-Tourangeau F, Williams LM, Sumich A (2009) Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 80(2-3): 151-6. Epub 2009 Feb 20
Abstract:
Affective impairment is observed in children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Low levels of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), specifically omega-3 (omega-3) fatty acids in blood measures have been linked to a range of behavioural and mood disorders including ADHD. However, nothing is known about the relationship between omega-3 and brain function in children with ADHD.
In the current study, 20 adolescent boys with ADHD were assessed for total lipid fractions in red blood cells and their event-related potential (ERP) response to the presentation of facial expressions of happiness, sadness and fearfulness.
The results supported the hypothesis of a positive association between eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and a cognitive bias in orientation to overt expressions of happiness over both sad and fearful faces as indexed by midline frontal P300 amplitude. Additional exploratory analyses revealed a positive association between levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the right temporal N170 amplitude in response to covert expressions of fear. The arachidonic (AA)/DHA ratio was negatively associated with the right temporal N170 amplitude also to covert expressions of fear.
These findings indicate that EPA and DHA may be involved in distinct aspects of affect processing in ADHD and have implications for understanding currently inconsistent findings in the literature on EFA supplementation in ADHD and depression.
FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:
This study adds to the growing evidence that some features, traits or symptoms of ADHD mau involve deficiencies or imbalances involving the biologically essential long-chain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.Co-occurring symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive or other mood disorders are common in children and adults with ADHD, and difficulties with emotional regulation can plausibly contribute to core ADHD symptoms of inattention, impulsivity or hyperactive behaviours.
Considerable evidence now links depression and other mood disorders with both dietary and blood deficiencies of the long-chain omega-3 (particularly EPA), while deficiencies of omega-3 DHA have long been associated with impairments in vision, cognition and many other aspects of brain development and function.
While this study was small, and purely obervational, it is noteworthy that blood levels of EPA and DHA correlated with different aspects of brain responses to stimuli designed to elicit emotional responses, as current evidence from treatment trials also suggests that these omega-3 influence mood and cognition in different but complementary ways.
For more nformation on this topic, please see the following lists, which are regularly updated:
Food and Behaviour Research is a registered charity (No SC034604) and a company limited by guarantee (Co No SC 253448)
Newsletter Signup
Useful Links
Contact Us
FAB Research
23 Carlton Road
Oxford
OX2 7SA
Important Notice
Medical opinion and guidance should always be sought for any symptoms that might possibly reflect a known or suspected disease, disorder or medical condition. Information provided on this website (or by FAB Research via any other means) does not in any way constitute advice on the treatment of any medical condition formally diagnosed or otherwise.
Site by Redstone Websites. Easy to Use Web Content Management. 2026 © All Rights Reserved.