The Feasibility of a Dietary Intervention in Children With ADHD

The Feasibility of a Microbiome Dietary Intervention in Children With ADHD

The aim is to conduct a feasibility pilot study of a dietary intervention designed to optimise gut bacteria in children diagnosed with ADHD.

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can suffer debilitating symptoms, including problematic behaviour and sleep. Research suggests dietary manipulations may be a helpful treatment option for children with ADHD, although the most effective are highly restrictive, with little known about why they might work. Optimising gut bacteria in individuals with ADHD may help alleviate some of the symptoms of this condition via the gut-brain-axis and would provide a plausible mechanism by which dietary interventions operate. We propose to conduct a feasibility pilot study of a dietary intervention designed to optimise gut bacteria in children diagnosed with ADHD.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Parent-reported diagnosis of ADHD.
2. Children aged between 8 years - 13 years 11 months at onset of study.
3. Children not taking ADHD medication (such as methylphenidate) at the time of the study.
4. Parental permission to attend three group sessions and for themselves and their child to complete the requisite assessments.
5. Both males and females are eligible to take part.
6. Children with a co-occurring diagnosis will be accepted onto the trial.
7. Children with food allergies/sensitivities/coeliac disease will be accepted onto the trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Children undergoing a current course of behavioural therapy.
2. Children currently on ADHD medication (such as methylphenidate).
3. Children who have taken antibiotics in the past 3 months