Potential Link Between Dietary Intake of Fatty Acids and Behavior: Pilot Exploration of Serum Lipids in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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Date
1994
Authors
Arnold, L. Eugene
Kleykamp, Donald
Votolato, Nicholas
Gibson, Robert A.
Horrocks, Lloyd
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers
Abstract
Essential fatty acids are structural components of all biological membranes and form the environment for
membrane receptors, ion channels, and enzymes. Dietary linoleic acid is metabolized by delta-6-desaturase
to gamma-Iinolenic acid (GLA). Through several further metabolic steps, GLA is eventually converted to
series-1 prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and other molecules involved in regulating the moment-to-moment
function of various physiological processes. For example, prostaglandins interact with dopamine
neurotransmission. The biochemistry and physiology of essential fatty acids are reviewed, with attention to
possible implications for behavior. Delta-6-desaturase deficiency has been hypothesized to be one cause of
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To explore this possibility, we examined the correlations of
serum lipids and behavior in a double-blind crossover comparison of GLA, d-amphetamine, and placebo in
16 boys (ages 6-12) with ADHD. Looking at the fatty-acid components of serum triglycerides across
treatment conditions, we found that higher scores for behavior problems correlated with lower levels of GLA
(for each of four behavioral ratings, p < 0.015) but not with its precursor, linoleic acid. This is compatible
with a metabolic bottleneck at delta-6-desaturase being related to some ADHD symptoms. These preliminary
findings are consistent with the possibility that fatty-acid intake or metabolism may influence behavior, at
least in children with ADHD, and could conceivably modulate the effects of psychopharmacological
treatment. This study must be considered exploratory and heuristic, and more definitive studies are needed to
examine the possible relevance of fatty-acid metabolism to psychiatric disorders.
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Citation
L. Eugene Arnold et al, "Potential Link Between Dietary Intake of Fatty Acids and Behavior: Pilot Exploration of Serum Lipids in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder," Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology 4, no. 3 (1994), doi:10.1089/cap.1994.4.171