Fatty acid metabolism in neurodevelopmental disorder: a new perspective onassociations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia and the autistic spectrum
Aj. Richardson et Ma. Ross, Fatty acid metabolism in neurodevelopmental disorder: a new perspective onassociations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia and the autistic spectrum, PROS LEUK E, 63(1-2), 2000, pp. 1-9
Citations number
63
Categorie Soggetti
Cell & Developmental Biology
Journal title
PROSTAGLANDINS LEUKOTRIENES AND ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
There is increasing evidence that abnormalities of fatty acid and membrane
phospholipid metabolism play a part in a wide range of neurodevelopmental a
nd psychiatric disorders. This proposal is discussed here in relation to at
tention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, developmental coor
dination disorder (dyspraxia) and the autistic spectrum. These are among th
e most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood, with significant i
mplications for society as well as for those directly affected. However, co
ntroversy still surrounds both the identification and management of these c
onditions, and while their aetiology is recognized as being complex and mul
tifactorial, little progress has yet been made in elucidating predisposing
factors at the biological level.
An overview is provided here of the contents of this Special Issue, which c
ontains a selection of reports from a unique multidisciplinary workshop inv
olving both researchers and clinicians. Its purpose was to explore the poss
ibility that ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism fall within a phospholipi
d spectrum of disorders. This proposal could explain the high degree of co-
morbidity between these conditions, their aggregation within families and r
elation to other psychiatric disorders, and a range of associated features
that are already well known at a clinical level. The existing evidence for
fatty acid abnormalities in these disorders is summarized, and new approach
es are outlined that have the potential to improve both the identification
and the management of these and related neurodevelopmental and psychiatric
conditions. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.