Supplementation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The study is designed as a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial with a total duration of 6 months. 100-120 boys with ADHD aged 8-16 years and 30 healthy boys will will be randomized to 3 months of treatment with a fixed dose of 6 capsules of food supplement "Eye q" per day divided in two daily doses (558 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 174 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), 60 mg gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) per day) or to placebo (olive oil). 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 active treatment for the remaining 3 month period. Control group will receive active treatment for 6 month. The assessment of children will be made 3 times: at the point of start, after 3 months, and after 6 months. The assessments will be made using standardized interviews and questionnaires, neuropsychological tests, pediatric and neurological examination and taking a 5 ml sample of blood to assess level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in serum and in cell membranes of erythrocytes.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients will be boys between the ages of 8-16 years.
• Patients must meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria for ADHD confirmed by Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia - Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL)
• Patients must be of normal intelligence as assessed by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Revised Edition (WISC-R).
• Treatment of ADHD by such drugs as: atomoxetine, reboxetine, clonidine, desipramine or clomipramine or children with ADHD without pharmacological treatment

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who have a documented history of Bipolar I or II disorder, psychosis or autism.
• Patients with a history of epilepsy
• Patients with a history of asthma treated with corticosteroids.
• Patients with diabetes, haemorrhagic problem, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
• Patients taking any psychotropic medication other than above-mentioned on a regular basis, including health-food supplements that the investigator feels have central nervous system activity, must have a washout equal of at least three months before study entry, and such medications are not allowed during the study.
• Patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse within the past 3 months (excessive or compulsive use as judged by the investigator).