Omega-3 Fatty Acids are Inversely Related to Callous and Unemotional Traits in Adolescent Boys with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Gow, R.V., Vallee-Tourangeau, F., Crawford, M.A., Taylor, E., Ghebremeskel, K., Bueno, Allain ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9456-8558, Hibbeln, J.R., Sumich, A. and Rubia, K. (2013) Omega-3 Fatty Acids are Inversely Related to Callous and Unemotional Traits in Adolescent Boys with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 88 (6). pp. 411-418. ISSN 0952-3278

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Abstract

A number of research studies have reported abnormal plasma fatty acid profiles in children with ADHD along with some benefit of n−3 to symptoms of ADHD. However, it is currently unclear whether (lower) long chain-polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) are related to ADHD pathology or to associated behaviours. The aim of this study was to test whether (1) ADHD children have abnormal plasma LC-PUFA levels and (2) ADHD symptoms and associated behaviours are correlated with LC-PUFA levels. Seventy-two, male children with (n=29) and without a clinical diagnosis of ADHD (n=43) were compared in their plasma levels of LC-PUFA. Plasma DHA was higher in the control group prior to statistical correction. Callous–unemotional (CU) traits were found to be significantly negatively related to both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and total omega-3 in the ADHD group. The findings unveil for the first time that CU and anti-social traits in ADHD are associated with lower omega-3 levels.

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