The role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in clinical manifestation and cognitive performance in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

• Main Authors: Ya-Ting Huang, 黃雅婷
• Other Authors: 蘇冠賓
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/82088726835032829065

碩士 === 中國醫藥大學 === 神經科學與認知科學研究所碩士班 === 101 === Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common developmental disorder in childhood and characterized by symptom of inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The etiology of ADHD is multifactorial, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) deficiency is hypothesised to be one of those multiple factors. Emerging evidence was shown that ADHD may be associated with low omega-3 PUFA levels of diet and physical status, but the correlation was controversial. Lower PUFA status as an essential fatty acid (EFA) deficit has been related to ADHD symptoms. Omega-3 PUFA supplement could be beneficial for treatment of ADHD symptoms, but its effect for cognitive dysfunctions is still inconsistent. We recruited 21 children with ADHD and 21 healthy age-match children to investigate whether the role of omega-3 PUFAs in dietary intake and/or deficit is associated with ADHD symptom and its correlation of cognitive dysfunction in children. One scale about ADHD symptoms, two questionnaires for omega-3 PUFA, and three computerized cognition tasks were applied to all groups. In our study, children with ADHD had higher EFA deficit scores (t = 2.37, p = .024) when compared with normal control groups. ADHD children showed a significant difference in motivational deficit (Delay related time task: t = - 2.419, p = 0.02), and temporal processing (Tapping task : t = - 3.32, p < .00) when compared with control groups; however, there was no correlation observed between cognitive performance to ADHD symptoms and omega-3 PUFA deficit. In conclusion, our study revealed the EFA deficit status in ADHD children could be possible high risk factor with ADHD symptoms suggest the possible role of omega-3 PUFA in controlling the behavior and brain functions. These findings urge future studies to further investigate the metabolic role of omega-3 PUFA in the manifestation of ADHD symptoms.