Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Emotions in ADHD Adolescents

by | Jul 15, 2013 | 2013, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), DHA, Infant and Children's Health, Omega - 3

Written by Jessica Patella, ND. This study has shown that omega-3 fatty acids were lower in ADHD children which was associated with deficits in emotional processing.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a cluster of symptoms including hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention (2). Approximately 5.4 million children and adolescents have a diagnosis of ADHD in the United States (6). Recent research has found lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids are associated with impaired processing of emotions in ADHD children (1).

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been shown to be critical for brain development and function (3). Recent research has also suggested omega-3 fatty acids improve childhood depression (4) and certain violent or aggressive behaviors (5). For this reason, omega-3 fatty acids were studied in association with adolescent ADHD and emotions for the first time (1).

The research included 31 children that were diagnosed with ADHD (DSM-IV criteria) and 32 matched control children (average age of both groups: 14 years) (1). Blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids were measured and response to facial expressions were also measured. The facial expressions studied included: happiness, sadness, anger, fear and neutral. Eight different individuals representing each expression were shown to the children and their responses were recorded via brain activity.

The results of the study showed that omega-3 fatty acids were lower in the ADHD children and adolescents compared to the healthy controls (3.29 +/-0.66 vs. 6.23 +/- 1.43; p<0.01) (1).

The ADHD children and adolescents also had a more difficult time processing emotions (1). The ADHD children had exaggerated responses (based on brain stimulation) to neutral and negative expressions (anger, fear and sadness) compared to control children and adolescents (p values: p<0.01) (1).

There was also a significant correlation between higher omega-3 levels and a greater response to happy faces in the ADHD group (p=0.002), which was more similar to healthy controls (1).

In conclusion, children and adolescents with ADHD had deficits in emotional processing and lower omega-3 fatty acid levels (1). This was the first study to show that processing facial expressions and emotions are impaired in children and adolescents with ADHD and happiness is associated with higher omega-3 levels (1). Future research to determine if supplementing omega-3 fatty acids can improve results in emotions in ADHD children and adolescents should be conducted based on this new research.

Source: Gow, Rachel V., et al. “Omega-3 fatty acids are related to abnormal emotion processing in adolescent boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.” Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (PLEFA) 88.6 (2013): 419-429.

© 2013 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Posted July 15, 2013.

Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health.  She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians.  Visit her website at  www.awarenesswellness.com.

References:

  1. Gow R, et al.  Omega-3 fatty acids are related to abnormal emotion processing in adolescent boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.  Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids 88 (2013) 419-429.
  2. E. Taylor, et al. European clinical guidelines for hyperkinetic disorder—first upgrade, Eur. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry 13 (Suppl. 1) (2004) I7–30.
  3. A.J. Sinclair, M.A. Crawford, The accumulation of arachidonate and docosahexaenoate in the developing rat brain, J. Neurochem. 19 (1972) 1753–1758.
  4. H. Nemets, et al. Omega-3 treatment of childhood depression: a controlled, double-blind pilot study, Am. J. Psychiatry 163 (2006) 1098–1100.
  5. A. Zaalberg, et al. Effects of nutritional supplements on aggression, rule-breaking, and psychopathology among young adult prisoners, Aggressive Behavior 36 (2010) 117–126.
  6. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Data & Statistics.  Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.