Treatment for attentiondeficit/ hiperactivity disorder (ADHD) with polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs)

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Published

2014-09-12

How to Cite

Ruiz-Lázaro, P. M., & Grupo de Especial Interés, T. (2014). Treatment for attentiondeficit/ hiperactivity disorder (ADHD) with polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs). Revista De Psiquiatría Infanto-Juvenil, 31(3), 11–22. Retrieved from https://aepnya.eu/index.php/revistaaepnya/article/view/168

Issue

Vol. 31 No. 3 (2014)

Section

Orginial article

Authors

  • Pedro Manuel Ruiz-Lázaro Universidad de Zaragoza
  • TDAH Grupo de Especial Interés

Keywords:

ADHD, Nutrition, Omega-3 fatty acid, PUFAS, Treatment

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is highly prevalent in children and adolescents and both environmental and genetic factors play major roles.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential nutrients for humans. PUFAs are postulated to contribute to the development of the infant brain and an imbalance in these may increase the risk of ADHD.
In recent clinical studies, supplementation with PUFAs improved symptoms of ADHD in some cases. Current findings from randomized trials are limited and have not consistently supported the generalized clinical use of PUFA supplements (omega-3 fatty acids) as a primary or supplementary treatment for children with ADHD. The relative efficacy of PUFAs supplementation was modest compared with currently available pharmacotherapies for ADHD such as psychostimulants, atomoxetine, or ?(2) agonists. However, given its relatively benign sideeffect profile and evidence of modest efficacy, it may be reasonable to use PUFAs supplementation to augment traditional pharmacologic interventions or for families who decline other psychopharmacologic options.
If used it can be recommended a combination of PUFAs omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid EPA, and gammalinoleic acid GLA) suplemented daily with higher doses of eicosapentanoic acid at least for 4 months.

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Author Biography

Pedro Manuel Ruiz-Lázaro, Universidad de Zaragoza

Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa. Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud I+CS. Zaragoza

Correspondencia:
Dr Pedro Manuel Ruiz-Lázaro Sección de Psiquiatría Infanto-Juvenil. HCU Lozano Blesa. Universidad de Zaragoza. Av. San Juan Bosco nº 15, 50009. Zaragoza. Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (Aragon Health Sciences Institite).
e-mail: pmruiz@aragon.es

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