THE VIOLENCE RESEARCH
FOUNDATION, INC.
27 YEAR RETROSPECTIVE AND
FUTURE INITIATIVES
12 MAR, 2012
FOUNDING DIRECTORS--1985:
Everett L. “red” Hodges (Chairman)
Stanley van den Noort, M.D.
Professor of Neurology and Dean, College of Medicine
University of California, Irvine
Louis S. Gottschalk, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry
University of California, Irvine
John Donaldson, Ph.D.
Professor of Neurotoxicology
McGill University, Montreal
Roger D. Masters, Ph.D.
Nelson A. Rockefeller Professor of Government
Dartmouth University
Howard G. Tucker
Professor of Mathematics
University of California, Irvine
Phillip Lee, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Human Biology
College of Medicine
Stanford University
James Q. Wilson, Ph.D.
Professor of Management and Public
Policy
University of California, Los Angeles
Francis M. Crinella, Ph.D.
Professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry,
and Physical Medicine &
Rehabilitation
University of California, Irvine
Hon. James P. Gray
Judge of the Superior Court
County of Orange, California
Hon. Robert Presley
California State Senator
THE HODGES VIEW--1984
•VIOLENCE AMONG YOUTH HAD REACHED EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS
•CONVENTIONAL, I.E., SOCIAL-EDUCATIONAL, APPROACHES WERE
LARGELY INEFFECTIVE IN STEMMING THE TIDE
•ALTHOUGH THE NEUROBIOLOGICAL ROOTS OF VIOLENCE HAD
BEEN KNOWN FOR DECADES, PUBLIC POLICY SEEMED CURIOUSLY
UNAFFECTED
THE MISSION:
TO SUPPORT RESEARCH PROVIDING IREFFUTABLE EVIDENCE THAT
MAJOR CAUSAL FACTORS OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR ARE BIOLOGICAL,
WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON:
• EXPOSURE TO NEUROTOXINS
• NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES
From: Raine, A., Biosocial studies of antisocial and violent behavior in children and adults. Journal of Abnormal Child
Psychology, 2002, 30, 311-346
THE PROBLEM:
VIOLENCE IS THE PRODUCT OF A COMPLEX SET OF GENETIC
AND EXPERIENTIAL FACTORS
THE EARLY VRF STRATEGY:
“CHARGE IN ALL DIRECTIONS AT ONCE!”
Schoenthaler, S. J. (1987) The northern California diet-behavior program. International Journal of Biosocial Research.
Gottschalk, L. A., Rebello, T., Buchsbaum, M. S., et al. (1991) Abnormalities in hair trace elements as indicators of
aberrant behavior. Comprehensive Psychiatry .
Crinella FM, Cordova E, Ericson JE. (1997) Head hair levels of manganese in children with attention deficit disorder and
aggression. Neurotoxicology.
Masters, R.D. , Hone, B.T., Doshi, A. (1998) Environmental pollution, neurotoxicity and criminal violence. Environmental
Toxicology: Current Developments. London: Taylor and Francis.
Masters, R.D. (2001) . Biology and politics: Linking nature and nurture. Annual Review of Political Science.
Ericson, J. E., Rinderknecht, A, Kleinman, M.T., et al. (2001). Measurement of manganese with respect to calcium in
enamel cross sections: Toward a tooth manganese biomarker. Environmental Research .
Tran , T.T., Chowanadisai ,W., Crinella,F.M., et al. (2002). Effect of manganese supplementation of neonatal rats on tissue
mineral accumulation, striatal dopamine levels, and neurodevelopmental status. Neurotoxicology,.
Tran ,T.T., Crinella, F.M., Chicz-Demet ,A., et al. (2002). Effects of neonatal dietary (in manganese exposure on brain
dopamine levels and neurocognitive functions. Neurotoxicology.
Crinella, F.M. (2003). Does soy formula cause ADHD? Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics.
Crinella, F.M. (2004). Is there a relationship between elevated manganese levels and violent behavior? California
Assembly Committee on Public Safety.
Golub M.S., Hogrefe C.E., Germann S.L., et al. (2005) Neurobehavioral evaluation of rhesus monkey infants fed cow’s milk
formula, soy formula, or soy formula with added manganese. Neurobehavioral Toxicology and Teratology.
Ericson , J.E, Crinella, F.M., Clark-Stewart, K.A., et al. (2006) Prenatal manganese levels linked to childhood behavioral
disinhibition. Neurotoxicology and Teratology.
Golub M.S., Hogrefe C.E. Germann S.L., et al. (2006). Behavioral consequences of developmental iron deficiency in infant
rhesus monkey. Neurotoxicology and Teratology.
Crinella, F.M. (2011). Does Soy Formula cause ADHD? II. Update and public policy considerations. Expert Review of
Neurotherapeutics.
Tran, T.T., Crinella, F.M., Chicz-Demet , A., et al. (in press). Effects of neonatal dietary manganese and iron deficiency on
exposure on brain dopamine levels and neurocognitive functions. Neurotoxicology .
INGESTED TOXINS
NEUROTOXOLOGICAL
INFLUENCES
AMBIENT
TOXINS
BIOLOGICAL
BASES OF
VIOLENT
BEHAVIOR
CUSTOMIZED
NUTRIENT
APPROACH
MANGANESE
IN SOY
INFANT
FORMULA
INDUSTRIAL-BASED
AIR POLUTION
MOTHERS’
AWARENESS
INITIATIVE
(deferred)
LOSS OF PROFESSOR
ERICSON
IMPOSSIBILITY OF
REPLICATION
2011
“DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE
REDUCTION
PROJECT”
INADEQUATE
NUTRITION
2012
GENERALIZED
MALNUTRITION
APPROACH
STUDIES BY:
•SCHOENTHALER
•GESCH
•ZAALBERG
“ADHD
NUTRITIONAL
PROJECT”
THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF VIOLENCE
SELECTIVE DYSFUNCTION OF CERTAIN NEUROCHEMICAL SYSTEMS HAVE
LONG BEEN IMPLICATED IN VIOLENT BEHAVIOR, FOR EXAMPLE:
Individuals with histories of episodic violence appear to have dysfunction of the
neurotransmitter, 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, or 5-HT)
Inappropriate aggression has been associated with:
(1) Low serum levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), a 5-HT
precursor
(2) low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of 5-HIAA
(3) low 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio in whole brain homogenates, reflecting a low
rate of 5-HT turnover
(4) intensity of prolactin response to 5-HT agonists
(5) depletion of the 5-HT precursor, tryptophan
Pharmacologic treatments that enhance brain 5-HT levels have proven beneficial
in patients with inappropriate aggression
NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL INFLUENCES ON 5-HT
 Stress or pain will increase corticosteroid levels, which will in turn activate
enzymes that route the 5-HT precursor amino acid, tryptophan (Trp), away from
5-HT conversion
 Diet can also affect 5-HT production, both directly and indirectly. The amount
of Trp that enters the brain, to be available for subsequent conversion to 5-HT,
may be altered by dietary 5-HT content
•
High protein foods, rich in competitor amino acids, may reduce 5-HT
production, while a relatively high carbohydrate diet may raise brain 5HT levels
•
Xanthines, such as caffeine and theobromide (found in coffee, cocoa,
and colas), activate enzymes that lower 5-HT production
•
The production of 5-HT can be adversely affected by abnormal levels of
trace metals
•
Omega-3 fatty acids predict metabolites of 5-HT and dopamine (DA) in
cerebrospinal fluid (Hibbeln et al., 1998)
NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL INFLUENCES ON 5-HT (CONT’D.)
In the Golub laboratory at the University of California, Davis, we have also shown
that over-absorption of dietary manganese (Mn) not only affects brain 5-HT levels,
but also results in aggressive and impulsive behavior of rhesus monkeys
DIET AND AGGRESSION
1. Manipulation of neurotransmitter/neuromodulator levels via diet and/or dietary supplementation
2. Nutrient/vitamin/mineral deficiencies, imbalances, or over-absorptions associated with lowered
threshold for aggression:
• tryptophan (Bjork et al, 1999; 2000),
• fatty acids (Corrigan et al, 1994; Stevens et al, 1995, 1996),
• copper/zinc ratios (Walsh et al, 1997; )
• cholesterol (Golomb et al, 2000),
• docosahexaenoic acid (Hamazaki et al, 1996),
• zinc(Moynahan, 1976),
• lead (Needleman et al., 1996; Masters et al, 1998),
• manganese (Golub et al., 2005)
• sugar (Kruesi et al, 1987; Lien et al., 2006; Schoenthaler, 1982), Vitamin B-6 (Dakshinamurti et
al., 2000,
• generalized vitamin-mineral deficiencies (Schoenthaler et al, 1997; Gesch et al., 2002).
3. However, subjects are more often than not the product of more generally disadvantageous
environments
4. In such environments, malnutrition and/or toxic exposures are more common, and are likely to
occur in conjunction with a host of socioeconomic and psychosocial stressors, for example:
• inadequate housing X lead exposure; poverty X malnutrition X stimulant abuse
• alcohol abuse X liver disease X over-absorption of manganese
“BOTH THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF
ALIMENT HAS AN INFLUENCE UPON MORALS”
“I HAVE OBSERVED THE EFFICACY OF A
VEGETABLE DIET UPON THE PASSIONS.”
BENJAMIN RUSH
[PHYSICIAN,AND SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION
OF INDEPENDENCE] IN HIS INVITED ADDRESS
TO THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN
PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY (1786)
EFFECTS OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION ON RECIDIVISM
IN MALE PROBATIONERS CONVICTED OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Francis M. Crinella, Ph.D.
Departments of Pediatrics, Psychiatry & Human Behavior, and
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
University of California, Irvine
and
Everett L. Hodges and Ron Steward
Violence Research Foundation
San Clemente California
SCOPE OF PROBLEM
 On average, more than three U.S. women per day are murdered by their
husbands or boyfriends (USDOJ, 2008).
 One in four U.S women will experience DV at some point in her life
 5.5 million U.S. children live in families in which DV has occurred at least
once in the past year
On a single day in 2008, 1,683 domestic violence hotline calls were
answered, an average of 14 calls per minute (NNEVD, 2008).
2008 National Census of Domestic Violence Services (62% programs
reporting)
•3,872 victims of DV were served (2,281 adults and 1,591 children)
• 1,142 victims served in shelters
• 870 in transitional housing
•1,860 in non-residential settings
•1,081 DV hotline calls were answered
Laura Lund, California Department of Health Services: “Violence against
Women in California, 1992-99.”
•620,000 women per year experienced violence or physical abuse by intimate
partners
•916,000 children present in the households where DV occurred
•2,712 women per year hospitalized as result of DV
•563 women per year murdered, 34% by intimate partners
REPETITIVE NATURE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
• 36% of arrested DV offenders reoffend within 6 months
• 48% of those not arrested reoffend
• 3,147 victims reported >9,000 incidents since initial DV incident
BATTERER’S INTERVENTION PROGRAMS (BIPs) show similar
recidivism rates (Gondolf ,1997)
• 32% of female partners reported at least one reassault during BIP treatment
• 61% resulted in bruises or injuries
• 12% required medical attention.
Meta analysis of 36 studies of BIPs (Babcock et al., 2004)
• DV offenders had a 40% chance of being successfully nonviolent
without treatment
• 35% chance with BIP treatment
• About 60% of DV offenders will recidivate, irrespective of
intervention
BIP TREATMENT OUTCOMES IN CALIFORNIA
National Institute of Justice Review of California BIPs
(MacLeod et al.,2009)
Sample: 1,000 men
Treatment: BIPs in five counties (Los Angeles, Riverside, San Joaquin, Santa Clara,
and Solano)
Results:
1. No statistical association between program and offender’s likelihood of re-offense
2. Program completion (52 weeks) associated with small, positive changes in “soft
measures” such as:
• Verbal promises to take greater personal responsibility
• Verbalizing the effect of abuse on others
GENERALIZED VITAMIN-MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION
Recent studies show that dietary changes in prison and other institutional
populations may correct low blood concentrations of nutrients essential for
proper brain function, thus reducing violence owing to malnutrition
 Influence of supplementary vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids on the
antisocial behaviour of young adult prisoners. Gesch, C.B., Hammond, S.M.,
Hampson, S.E., Eves, A., & Crowder, M.J. British Journal of Psychiatry, 2002, 181, 2228
 Effects of nutritional supplements on aggression, rule-breaking, and
psychopathology among young adult prisoners. Zaalberg, A., Nujman, H., Bulten, E.,
Stroosma, L., & van der Staak, C. Aggressive Behavior, 2010, 36, 117-126)
Fig. 1 Trial profile.
GESCH, C. B. et al. Br J Psychiatry 2002;181:22-28
Copyright © 2008 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
PERCENT REDUCTION OF AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR (from GESCH et al, 2002)
40
35
25
TREATED
20
CONTROL
15
10
5
S
TI
O
N
C
FR
A
C
LE
N
O
R
IN
VI
O
M
IN
IS
C
IP
IN
AR
Y
A
C
TI
O
N
E
S
0
D
% REDUCTION
30
ZAALBERG et al STUDY (2010)
Subjects: 221 prisoners, 18 to 25 years of age
Active nutrition treatment = 115
Placebo treatment = 105
Treatment period: 1 to 3 months
Results: Reported incidents of aggressive/violent
behavior were significantly reduced (p = .017)
PERCENT REDUCTION OF AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR (from ZAALBERG et al, 2010)
14
P = .017
10
8
TREATED
CONTROL
6
4
2
SS
IV
E
G
R
AG
VE
R
AL
L
E/
VI
O
SE
R
IO
U
LE
N
T
S
B
IN
C
EH
ID
E
AV
IO
R
NT
S
0
O
INCIDENTS/1000 DAYS
12
LIMITATIONS OF PRISON-BASED STUDIES
1. Low base rates of aggression in prison settings
 Reduced likelihood of offending because of prison structure
and peer-based monitoring/coercion
 Skewed statistical distributions in which only a few prisoners
actually commit violent offenses increase likelihood of
erroneous conclusions
2. Limited generalization of findings to non-prison community
3. With reference to DV, it is possible that those who are not
aggressive/violent in prison settings might still be violent with
intimate partners
METHODS AND EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN OF
PROPOSED STUDY
SPECIFIC AIMS
1. Screening—ca. 1,000 male probationers upon entry to BIP
Sociodemographic information
Medical/psychiatric information
Nutritional information
2. Obtain informed consent 600 individuals who have passed screening
3. Randomly assign subjects to either:
a) active nutritional supplement group (n = 300)
b) placebo group (n = 300)
commencing with the initiation of their first session of BIP, and continuing
through program termination and/or completion
4. Gather information pertaining to all incidents of violent behavior, from:
a) reviews of police/probation records
b) reviews of treatment program outcomes
5. Contrast outcomes for the active nutrient vs. placebo groups
Nutritional Intervention.
At the time of each BIP visit, the subject will be provided with a one-week supply of
vitamin/mineral supplements, formulated by Hero Nutritionals, inc., of San Clemente, CA.
The formulation will be similar to that employed by Gesch et al. (2002) and Zaalberg et al
(2010)--essentially, 100% USDA RDA for vitamins/minerals, and a fatty acid supplement
that will include omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids.
Placebo control subjects will receive vegetable oil-based placebo capsules, identical in
appearance and taste.
Subjects will be instructed to take the vitamin-mineral (or placebo) capsule in the
morning, at or around breakfast time, and the essential fatty acid capsule in the evening,
at or around supper time.
Subjects will continue taking the supplements over the 52-week course of the BIP, or
over the 18 months that are allowed, by law, for completion of the 52 BIP sessions,
whichever occurs first.
Subjects will be offered the opportunity to participate in a one-year “open label” study
following their participation in the placebo-controlled study.
Nutrient
Form
POTENCY
Proposed studyZaalberg et al. [174]Gesch et al. [175]
Recommended US DRIs
Vitamin A ug
Vitamin B1 mg
Vitamin B2 mg
Vitamin B3 mg
Vitamin B5 mg
Retinol Acetate
Thiamine
Riboflavine
Nicotinamide
Calciumpanothenate
750
1.2
1.6
18
4
Vitamin B6 mg
750
1.2
1.6
18
4
750
1.2
1.6
18
4
900
1.2
1.3
16
5
Pyrodoxal-5-phosphate 2
2
2
1.3
Vitamin B11 ug
Vitamin B12 ug
Biotin ug
Vitamin C mg
Vitamin D3 ug
Vitamin E mg
Folic Acid
Cyanocobalamine
400
3
100
Ascorbic acid
60
Cholocalciferol
5
D-alfa-tocoferyl acetate 10
400
3
100
60
5
10
400
3
100
60
10
10
400
2.4
30
90
5
15
Calcium mg
Tricalcium phosphate
100
100
100
1,000
Magnesium mg
Phosphorus mg
Magnesium citrate
Tricalcium phosphate
100
100
100
52
30
77
400
700
Zinc mg
Iron mg
Manganese mg
Zinc citrate
Ferro fumerate
Manganese gluconate
15
12
3
15
12
3
15
12
3
11
8
2.3
Copper mg
Potassium mg
Iodine ug
Selenium ug
Chromium ug
Molybdenum ug
Docosahexanoenic
acid mg
Eicosapentainoic
acid mg
Gamma-linolenic
acid mg
Copper gluconate
Potassium chloride
Potassium iodide
Sodium selinite
Chromium chloride
Sodium molybdate
2
4
100
50
200
250
200
2
4
140
50
200
250
400
2
4
140
50
200
250
44
0.9
400
400
80
--
100
100
160
--
--
--
1,260
--
Linoleic acid

US Daily recommended intake
150
55
35
45
--
Outcome measures
Subjects will be followed for 36 months, up to 18 of which they will be
receiving either active supplement or placebos
The following outcome measures will be used to determine
effectiveness of the experimental intervention:
1. Record of BIP program compliance, including time to drop out
and time to completion of program
2. Repeat DV offenses
PROJECT MONTH
21
19
16
13
10
th
ro
ug
h
th
ro
ug
h
th
ro
ug
h
th
ro
ug
h
9
6
3
24
21
18
15
12
th
ro
ug
h
th
ro
ug
h
th
ro
ug
h
th
ro
ug
h
7
4
1
CUMULATIVE PERCENT
SURVIVAL FUNCTION--TIME TO RE-OFFENSE
60
50
40
30
ACTIVE NUTRIENTS
PLACEBO
20
10
0
Behavioral Effects of Micronutrient Supplementation
on Children with ADHD
Francis M. Crinella, Ph.D.
Sabrina E.B. Schuck, Ph.D.
Natasha Schneider, Ph.D.
Andrew Schneider, D.O.
Melody Yi, Ph.D.
Angela Liang, M.A.
Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine
and
Everett L. Hodges and Ron Steward
Violence Research Foundation, Inc.
ADHD IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON DISORDERS OF
CHILDHOOD
•ACCOUNTS FOR AS MANY VISITS TO PEDIATRICIANS AS UPPER
RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
•CHARACTERIZED BY A PERSISTENT PATTERN OF OVERACTIVITY,
INATTENTION, AND IMPULSIVITY
•WORLDWIDE PREVALENCE IS ESTIMATED AT 5% ±3%
•RELATED TO DYSFUNCTION IN THE BRAIN’S DOPAMINE NETWORKS
STIMULANTS (E.G., RITALIN; DEXEDRINE), WHICH ARE DOPAMINE
AGONISTS, ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE KNOWN TREATMENT FOR
ADHD--
BUT:
1. STIMULANTS HAVE NOT BEEN UNIFORMLY EFFECTIVE IN MODIFYING
ADHD SYMPTOMS, WITH ESTIMATES OF NON-RESPONDERS RANGING
FROM 25 TO 35%
2. STIMULANT DRUGS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EFFICACY IN TREATING
ADHD SYMPTOMS, ARE NOT WITHOUT SIDE EFFECTS, SUCH AS
ANOREXIA, INSOMNIA, AND REDUCED GROWTH RATE
3. EVEN IF STIMULANTS WERE 100% EFFECTIVE, WITH NO SIDE EFFECTS,
SOME FAMILIES REMAIN UNALTERABLY OPPOSED TO TREATING THEIR
CHILD WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
AT THE TME OF FIRST CONTACT WITH THE UCI CHILD
DEVELOPMENT CENTER, 60% OF FAMILIES WILL HAVE
TRIED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES
(CAMs), INCLUDING:
•COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY
•NEUROFEEDBACK
• AEROBIC EXERCISES
•HERBAL REMEDIES
•ELIMINATION DIETES (THE MOST COMMON BEING REFIEND SUGAR, AT 31%)
•DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION (vitamins, minerals, fatty acids; alone or in
various combinations)
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION:
“THE CORRECTION OF INNATE OR ACQUARED
CHEMICAL IMBALANCES USING AMINO ACIDS,
VITAMINS, MINERALS AND OTHER BIOCHEMICALS
THAT ARE NATURALLY PRESENT IN THE BODY.”
WILLIAM WALSH
EVIDENCE THAT SUCH IMBALANCES MAY BE PRESENT IN
U.S. CHILDREN:
MUNOZ ET AL. (1997) SURVEY OF 3307 U.S. CHILDREN
• ONLY 1% MET ALL USDA RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCES FOR NUTRIENT INTAKE
• 30% FAILED TO MEET THE MINIMUM RDA FOR FRUITS, GRAIN, MEAT AND DAIRY PRODUCTS.
• 36 % FAILED TO MEET THE MINIUM RDA FOR VEGETABLES.
GLEASON AND SUITOR (2002) SURVEY OF 2,692 CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS FOUND THAT THE
MAJORITY OF CHILDREN FAILED TO MEET THE MINIMUM RDA FOR:
VITAMINS A, C, E, AND B6
FOLATE, MAGNESIUM AND CALCIUM
Guenther (2006) 24-HOUR RECALL FROM EACH OF 8,070 RESPONDENTS
THE PROPORTIONS OF SEX-AGE GROUPS MEETING USDA RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FRUITS AND
VEGETABLES RANGED FROM 0.7%, FOR BOYS AGED 14 TO 18, UP TO 48%, FOR CHILDREN AGED 2 TO
3 YEARS
HENCE, IT IS REASOMABLE TO ASSUME THAT CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH VARIOUS
BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS WILL ALSO HAVE NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES BECAUSE A LARGE
PROPORTION OF ALL U.S. YOUNG PEOPLE WILL, ON THE AVERAGE, TEND TO HAVE SUCH
DEFICIENCIES
POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS
(PUFAs) AND BEHAVIOR DEFICITS
1. JOHNSON ET AL (1999)
75 SWEDISH CHILDREN, AGES 8 TO 18, ALL WITH ADHD, WERE
TREATED WITH PUFAS OR PLACEBO
RESULTS
A SUBGROUP OF 34 PUFA-TREATED CHILDREN SHOWED 25% OR
MORE IMPROVEMENT IN ADHD SYMPTOMS
AFTER 6 MONTHS, 28 OF 59 SUBJECTS WERE CONSIDERED TO BE
POSITIVE RESPONDERS, BASED ON SYMPTOM RATING SCALE
SCORES
2. VAISMAN ET AL (1998)
83 CHILDREN WITH ADHD WERE GIVEN
POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACID SUPPLEMENT
RESULTS:
SIGNIFICANT CORRELATION BETWEEN PUFAS
AND SCORES ON THE TOVA, A TEST OF
SUSTAINED ATTENTION
3.NEMO GROUP STUDY (2007)
396 AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN AND 384 INDONESIAN CHILDREN, AGES 6 TO 10
RANDOMIZED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY IN WHICH THE ACTIVE MICRONUTRIENT
CONTAINED: IRON, ZINC, FOLATE, VITAMINS A, B6, B12 AND C, PLUS PUFAS
NUTRIENT DRINK ADMINISTERED 6 DAYS PER WEEK FOR 12 MONTHS
MICRONUTRIENT TREATMENT SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED :
• PLASMA MICRONUTIRENT CONCENTRATION
• SCORES ON TESTS OF VERBAL LEARNING AND MEMORY
• BUT NOT GENERAL INTELLIGENCE
4. Sinn & Bryan (2008)
132 AUSTRALIAN CHIDREN, AGES 7 THROUGH 12, ALL WITH ADHD
STRONG POSITIVE TREATMENT EFFECTS WITH 15 WEEKS OF PUFAS
NO ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOUND FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENT
CONTAINING VITAMINS A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B12, CALCIUM, IRON, MAGNESIUM,
MANGANESE, COPPER, ZINZ AND POTASSIUM.
PARENT RATINGS, BUT NOT TEACHER RATINGS, IMPROVED FOR PUFA
GROUPS AFTER 15 WEEKS OF TREATMENT
5. McNAMARA et al (2010)
POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS ARE RELATED TO BRAIN FUNCTION
33 NINE-YEAR OLD HEALTHY BOYS RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO ONE OF THREE GROUPS
1. PLACEBO
2. 400 Mg/d PUFA
3. 1200 Mg/d PUFA
BRAIN ACTIVATION PATTERNS DURING SUSTAINED ATTENTION TASK WERE DETERMINED
BY fMRI AT BASELINE AND AFTER EIGHT WEEKS OF INTERVENTION
BOTH PUFA DOSES RESULTED IN:
•SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER CHANGE IN FRONTAL LOBE ACTIVATION FROM BASELINE
•SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN ACTIVITY OF OCCIPITAL AND CEREBELLAR AREAS
•FASTER REACTION TIMES
UCI/VRF NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION IN ADHD
OBJECTIVES
1. Recruit up to 150 children, ages 7 through 12, with ADHD
2. Obtain informed consent from no fewer than 120
3. Approximately eight weeks after enrollment, assign each subject to a
Social Skills Training Program
4. Randomly assign the 120 subjects to one of three nutritional treatment
groups:
I. SSTP + Micronutrient supplement group (Group I; n = 40)
II.SSTP + Placebo supplement group (Group II; n = 40)
III. SSTP only control group (Group III; n = 40)
5. At conclusion of SSTP perform behavior rating scales and laboratory
performance tests
COLLABORATING AGENCIES
ORANGE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNCIL OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TREATMENT PROVIDERS
ORANGE COUNTY HUMAN OPTIONS
ORANGE COUNTY VIOLENCE PROTECTION COUNCIL
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE (DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS)
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ (DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
TOXIOCOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY)
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS (DEPARTMENT OF NUTRITION SCIENCES)
HERO NUTRITIONALS, SAN CLEMENTE
VRF ORGANIZATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY BOARD
RED HODGES, CHAIRMAN EMERITUS
FRANCIS CRINELLA, UC IRVINE, CHAIR
JOHN DONALDSON, McGILL UNIVERSITY
FRANCIS CRINELLA, PRESIDENT
BO LONNERDAL, UC DAVIS
BOB PRESLEY, VICE-PRESIDENT
MARI GOLUB, UC DAVIS
MAURY DeWALD, SECT/TREASURER
JAMES CARTER, TULANE UNIVERSITY
JIM O’HALLORAN, DIRECTOR
DON SMITH, UC SANTA CRUZ
BERNIE GESCH, OXFORD UNIVERSITY
BRYCE RHODES, DIRECTOR
ROGER MASTERS, DARTMOUTH
AUDRE DENNARD, DIRECTOR
BILL WALSH, CARL PFEIFFER CENTER
VRF STAFF
RON STEWARD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
JENNIFER STEWARD
RECORCING SECRETARY
LYDIA DUNCAN
SECRETARY
NANCY MONEY
BOOKKEEPER
RESEARCH ASSOCIATES (TBN)