The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7297 p532
1 May 2004

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Zinc improves behaviour in ADHD

Adding zinc supplements to standard methylphenidate treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children seems to be beneficial, according to researchers from Iran. They found that both parent and teacher ratings indicated that children’s behaviour improved during a six-week trial of zinc supplementation with standard methylphenidate treatment. Zinc is needed for the production and modulation of melatonin, which helps regulate dopamine function, and which is thought to be an important factor in ADHD (BMC Psychiatry 2004;4:9).