Delay Aversion, Temporal Processing, and N-3 Fatty Acids Intake in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Clinical Psychological Science
Published online on June 29, 2016
Abstract
This study investigates the association between polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake and neurocognitive functions in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We recruited 21 drug-naïve children diagnosed with ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and 21 non-ADHD controls. The n-3 intake and essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency severity were recorded while the children were assessed for inhibitory control, delay aversion, and temporal processing with the Go/No Go Task, Delayed Reaction Time Task, and Finger Tapping Task, respectively. The ADHD group had more EFA deficiency symptoms (p = .02) and poorer performance in delay aversion (p = .02) and temporal processing (p < .001). Moreover, ADHD symptoms correlated negatively with n-3 intake and positively with EFA deficiency. In addition, EFA deficiency was associated with higher delay aversion (p < .001). Children with ADHD had a higher deficiency of EFA, and EFA deficiency had a positive association with ADHD severity and delay aversion.