AA and DHA are Decreased in Paediatric AD/HD and Inattention is Ameliorated by Increased Plasma DHA

Authors

John J. Miklavcic, Chapman UniversityFollow
Ellen Ivity, University of Alberta
Ian M. MacDonald, University of Alberta
Liana Urichuk, Alberta Health Services
Vera C. Mazurak, University of Alberta
Christina Rinaldi, University of Alberta
Michael T. Clandinin, University of Alberta

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-27-2022

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) status in relation to socio-behavioral outcomes in children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). In a case-control design, plasma phospholipid fatty acid content was assessed in children aged 5–12 years with AD/HD and in typically functioning children. Dietary intakes of LCPUFAs arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4n6) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n3) were quantified using a four-day food record, polymorphisms were determined in FADS1 and FADS2, and socio-behavioral outcomes were assessed using the Conners 3 Parent Rating Scales in a cross section of children with AD/HD. Compared to typically functioning children, plasma AA and DHA were 40% lower in children with AD/HD. Median intake of AA, but not DHA, was higher in children with AD/HD compared to typically functioning children. Polymorphisms in FADS1 (rs174546) and FADS2 (174575) were associated with higher plasma linoleic acid (LA; 18:2n6) level. Plasma DHA level was inversely associated with inattention score. Despite having an elevated intake of AA, children diagnosed with AD/HD have a reduction in plasma AA level which may be due in part to polymorphisms in the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene cluster or increased conversion to AA-derived metabolites. Increasing intake of DHA may ameliorate symptoms of inattention in AD/HD.

Comments

This article was originally published in Human Nutrition & Metabolism, volume 31, in 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hnm.2022.200183

Recommended Citation

J.J. Miklavcic, E. Ivity, I.M. MacDonald, L. Urichuk, V.C. Mazurak, C. Rinaldi, M.T. Clandinin, AA and DHA are decreased in paediatric AD/HD and inattention is ameliorated by increased plasma DHA, Human Nutrition & Metabolism 31 (2023) 200183, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hnm.2022.200183.

Peer Reviewed

1

Copyright

The authors

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.