According to the Centers for Disease Control Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of childhood affecting 5% -25% of school-aged children. Due to the frequency of this disorder, many efforts have been made to identify effective treatments that do not have the many side effects that are often encountered with the most commonly prescribed medications (Rojas & Chan, 2005). One of the most recent attempts to find an alternative treatment of ADHD is with the use of amino acid supplementation (Purvis et al., 2007). It is thought that amino acids may affect the production of neurotransmitters and it is hypothesized that they can restore balance to these neurotransmitters (i.e., prevent further depletion typically seen with the use of traditional drugs to treat ADHD). Despite anecdotal testimonials, there has been little empirical research regarding the effectiveness of the use of amino acids as a treatment for ADHD. Thus, as an initial approach to gather preliminary data, a retrospective chart review was conducted.

Methodology

Eighty-five children (ages 4-18) who had been diagnosed by a clinical psychologist as ADHD had their charts reviewed and analyzed. It should be noted that since this was a retrospective chart review, no variables were manipulated. All participants underwent a standard amino acid protocol (following the Phase 3 approach from NeuroResearch Labs, Inc., Duluth MN), which was either informed by regular urine tests and analyses or was not. In essence, amino acid type and amount was varied based on the urine analyses (when available). The Connor Scale, which measures symptoms and signs of ADHD was completed by parents twice (toward the beginning and end of the treatment protocol). The numbers of 3’s (often) and 4’s (very often) that children displayed signs of ADHD (there were 18 possible items) were noted by the parents across the treatment period. Other variables assessed included (a) taking/not taking ADHD medicine, (b) taking/not talking other stimulant drugs, (c) gender, (d) age, and (e) number of comorbid factors.

Results

Results indicated that scores (the numbers of 3’s and 4’s) on the Connor scale (signs/behaviors of ADHD) decreased significantly (t=12.26, sd=4.04, p<.0001; t=8.42, sd=3.32, p<.0001) from the first to the second testing. Specifically, overall, the number of Connor 4’s decreased from 8.3 to 2.3 and Connor 3’s decreased from 4.6 to 1.2. This decrease occurred regardless of the variable being investigated (age, drug use, etc.). The only variable that approached significance (p<.08) was gender as males decreased more on the number of Connor 4’s (8.9 – 2.3) than did females (7.1-2.2).

A number of other descriptive findings are noteworthy:

Conclusions

1. Clients using amino acids decreased in their ADHD symptoms and behavior as reported by parents via the Connor scale
2. Approximately one-third of clients using amino acids achieved complete relief by week five, and over three quarters achieved some symptom relief by week 8
3. Stimulant drugs and ADHD medicine seemed to help relieve ADHD symptoms (above and beyond amino acids alone).
4. Approximately one-third of the clients not taking any ADHD drugs and one-quarter of those not taking any stimulant drugs reported full relief by week 8.
5. Having a urine test appeared to help clients achieve some symptom relief to a greater extent than not taking a urine test