I'm not against citations but obviously it would be nice if we were amply schooled in the biological functions of dietary nutrients so that the knowledge was just more tacit.

On some level it feels like you're asking me to link to a proof that a<sup>2</sup> + b<sup>2</sup> = c<sup>2</sup> solves for the hypotenuse of a triangle.

To learn about EFA's and their general function: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_fatty_acid

Here's a start: <i>CONCLUSION: The ratio of membrane omega-3 to omega-6 PUFAs can be modulated by dietary intake. This ratio influences neurotransmission and prostaglandin formation, processes that are vital in the maintenance of normal brain function.</i> <b>Source:</b> http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/12728744

Some medical observations about EFA deficiency symptoms include: <i>Symptoms of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency include fatigue, poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings or depression, and poor circulation. It is important to have the proper ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 (another essential fatty acid) in the diet.</i> <b>Source:</b> http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/omega3-fatty...

Notice the fatigue and poor memory.

Sources studying links between EFA's & ADHD:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278584601... (positive correlation found)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23574158 (this study doesn't include the term ADHD at all but it does speak of the need for EFA's in hippocampal neurogenesis, the common clinical finding of hippocampal atrophy in depressed patients, and the finding that EFA administration gives a statistically significant improvement in depressed patients in clinical trials. The reason this matters for our purposes is because the hippocampus

<b>Hippocampus and amygdala morphology in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.</b>
<i>The enlarged hippocampus in children and adolescents with ADHD may represent a compensatory response to the presence of disturbances in the perception of time, temporal processing (eg, delay aversion), and stimulus seeking associated with ADHD. Disrupted connections between the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex may contribute to behavioral disinhibition. Our findings suggest involvement of the limbic system in the pathophysiology of ADHD.
</i> <b>Source:</b> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16818869

OK, admittedly, I didn't know or expect to find that people with ADHD often have an !ENLARGED Hippocampus. This doesn't mean that EFA's aren't part of the problem/solution equation though.

Just knowing that the amygdala is involved should also cause us to form hypotheses about traumatic memories and anxiety type issues being co-involved with ADHD (struggle with learning, self-control of behavior)

Dietary studies are indicated to determine if essential fatty acid supplementation can influence central nervous system serotonin and dopamine metabolism and modify impulsive behaviors related to these neurotransmitters. Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9715354

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18019397

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15925295

The brain is sufficiently complex and interconnected that when you see problems like ADHD (which generally seem to be very treatable/preventable/reversible with certain dietary choices rather than inherent structural problems from birth/genetics) strongly expressed in a person then you can be pretty sure that a large portion of nutrients which relate to brain development and health are either deficient or otherwise not being metabolized normally.

One of the first things IMO that should happen when trying to provide treatment for patients with any disease should be to question them about their diet and emphatically educate them on the critical and irreplaceable role of the different nutrients and how a lack of them may be effecting them. (commonly green vegetables, seafood, healthy fats, Magnesium...etc.)

The diet of most Americans in the last few decades may have increased in calories but I think it's become less diverse and inclusive in essential nutrition. This is arguably the cause of the rise in behavioral and mood disorders among our youth.