Blood Fat and Amino Acid Differences in Children with ADHD
Researchers compared blood levels of several polyunsaturated fatty acids (including EPA) and amino acids in 102 children with ADHD (who had not yet taken medication) versus 91 children without ADHD. After adjusting for factors like age, BMI, and family background, children with ADHD had somewhat higher plasma glutamate, an amino acid involved in brain signaling.
The study also looked at how these blood markers related to symptoms and cognitive test scores. Higher tryptophan levels were linked to more inattention symptoms, while lower GABA levels were associated with higher full-scale IQ scores. EPA levels showed a negative relationship with processing speed scores on a standard cognitive test.
This was a cross-sectional snapshot, meaning it shows associations at one point in time rather than proving that these blood markers cause ADHD symptoms or cognitive differences.
What this means for you
This research adds to a body of work exploring how fatty acids and amino acids in the blood may relate to attention, behavior, and cognition in children with ADHD, but it does not show that changing EPA or other nutrient levels would treat or prevent ADHD. It highlights an area for future, more controlled research rather than offering practical guidance for supplementation.
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Translational pediatrics · 2026-08-31 · DOI: 10.21037/tp-2026-0590
Read the original source ↗This summary is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.