The Potential Role of Fatty Acids in Developmental Dyspraxia

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The Potential Role of Fatty Acids in Developmental Dyspraxia - Can

Dietary Supplementation Help?

Date: 2002 A.J.

This article by Dr first appeared in the Dyspraxia Foundation

Professional Journal in 2002.

The material it contains remains highly relevant not only to

dyspraxia/DCD but also to related conditions such as dyslexia, ADHD and

some other developmental and psychiatric conditions.

Only a summary of the main content of the article is provided here, but

the full text and references can be downloaded using the link below.

*Summary*

1. Dyspraxia or developmental coordination disorder (DCD) shows

substantial overlap with other developmental and psychiatric conditions

both within individuals and within families -- notably dyslexia, ADHD

and autistic spectrum disorders, but also mood disorders and

schizophrenia spectrum disorders. This indicates some common

predisposing factors at the biological level. The proposal considered

here is that these could involve aspects of fatty acid metabolism.

2. Certain HUFA of the omega-3 and omega-6 series are essential for

normal brain development and function. Together they should make up

around 20% of the dry mass of the brain, and adequate supplies are also

crucial for efficient information processing within the brain and

nervous system, as well as for many aspects of general health.

3. These key HUFA are often lacking from modern diets and must therefore

be manufactured within the body from simpler essential fatty acids

(EFA). However, this process is inefficient in humans, and can also be

blocked by dietary and lifestyle factors. Furthermore, dietary intake of

the necessary omega-3 EFA in particular is often low.

4. The predisposition to dyspraxia and related conditions may involve

mild constitutional inefficiencies of fatty acid metabolism that

increase the usual dietary requirements for HUFA. These could include

(a) poor EFA-HUFA conversion, ( difficulties in incorporating HUFA

into brain cell membranes and/or © unusually high rates of HUFA

breakdown and loss, although there are other possible mechanisms.

5. Many features associated with dyspraxia are consistent with HUFA

deficiencies or imbalances. These include the core difficulties with

motor coordination, attention and sensory processing, as well as the

excess of males affected, proneness to allergic or autoimmune

conditions, disturbances in temperature regulation and sleep, and

irregularities of mood.

6. There is already some experimental evidence for fatty acid

abnormalities in ADHD, dyslexia and the autistic spectrum. Although

dyspraxia has never been 'factored out' in studies of these related

conditions, no studies of dyspraxia per se have yet been reported

although these are now underway.

7. If fatty acid deficiencies were a contributory factor in these

developmental conditions then dietary supplementation with HUFA might be

of benefit. In ADHD, a few controlled treatment studies have been

reported, with mixed results; and in dyslexia, the first controlled

trial has shown that treatment with omega-3 and omega-6 HUFA can reduce

attentional problems, anxiety, and disruptive behaviour.

8. In dyspraxia, no properly controlled trials of HUFA supplementation

have yet been reported. One small open study indicated possible

benefits, but without a placebo control group these cannot be attributed

to the treatment itself. A large-scale randomised controlled trial of

HUFA treatment in dyspraxic children is now underway.

9. As yet there is therefore no firm evidence of benefits from HUFA

supplementation in dyspraxia, although many people are already trying

this approach. HUFA are generally safe and have many general health

benefits, but medical advice is recommended before taking any food

supplement. Furthermore, fatty acid supplements vary widely in their

composition and quality. Available evidence indicates that omega-3 fatty

acids -- and particularly EPA -- may be most effective, but this still

requires confirmation.

10. Other aspects of diet may also merit attention, but nutritional

intervention is obviously only one aspect to consider in the management

of dyspraxia, and cannot be expected to benefit more a subset of

affected individuals. Some features that may indicate a good response to

HUFA supplementation have already been identified, but further research

is needed to verify their predictive power.

*File Download:*

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