The Oxford-Durham Study: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Dietary Supplementation With Fatty Acids

ABSTRACT. Background. Developmental coordina-tion disorder (DCD) affects5 % of school-aged children. In addition to the core deficits in motor function, this condition is associated commonly with difficulties in learning, behavior, and psychosocial adjustment that persist into adulthood. Mounting evidence suggests that a relative lack of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids may contribute to related neurodevelopmental and psychiat-ric disorders such as dyslexia and attention-deficit/hyper-activity disorder. Given the current lack of effective, evidence-based treatment options for DCD, the use of fatty acid supplements merits investigation. Methods. A randomized, controlled trial of dietary supplementation with -3 and -6 fatty acids, compared with placebo, was conducted with 117 children wit