[PHNUTR-L] Industry: Pine bark extract reduces ADHD symptoms in children

[Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD]

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Public release date: 16-Jun-2006
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-06/mg-nsp061306.php

Contact: Melanie Nimrodi
mnimrodi at mww.com
312-853-3131
MWW Group

New study: Pine bark extract reduces ADHD symptoms in children

Research shows Pycnogenol® reduces hyperactivity, increases concentration

HOBOKEN, NJ – EMBARGOED UNTIL June 16, 2006 – A new study to be 
published in the June 17 edition of the journal of European Child & 
Adolescent Psychiatry shows a significant reduction of 
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children 
after supplementing with Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all), an antioxidant 
plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, everyday 
for one month.

In the randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study, Pycnogenol 
helped reduce hyperactivity and improve attention, concentration and 
motor-visual coordination in children with ADHD.

"These findings are especially notable for parents who are concerned 
about overmedicating children diagnosed with ADHD. Many families are 
seeking natural options to avoid the potentially dangerous side effects 
of prescription drugs," said Dr. Peter Rohdewald, Institute of 
Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Germany's University of Munster and one of 
the authors of the study.

"The results of this study show Pycnogenol may serve as a safe, 
effective treatment for children diagnosed with ADHD. French maritime 
pine bark extract reduced hyperactivity among study participants, while 
improving attention and visual-motor coordination and concentration of 
these children," said Rohdewald.

The study sampled 61 out-patients with ADHD with an average age of 9 ½ 
years, from the Department of Child Psychology at the Children 
University Hospital in Slovakia.

Forty-one patients received Pycnogenol and 16 received placebo. Patients 
were not supplemented with any other drugs or with vitamins E or C 
during the study. The placebo contained lactose (58 mg) and cellulose 
(65 mg). Participants in the Pycnogenol group received 1 mg of 
Pycnogenol or placebo for every kilogram of body weight, on a daily 
basis each morning, for one month.

Participants were given a basic psychiatric examination; an evaluation 
by teachers and parents using the Child Attention Problems scale (CAP), 
the Connor's Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS) and Connor's Parent Rating 
Scale (CPRS) and a psychological investigation before treatment, one 
month after the study began and one month after the end of the study.

After one month of Pycnogenol treatment, the participants' teachers 
compared the pre-test CAP and CTRS results with those scores after one 
month of treatment with either Pycnogenol or placebo. There was a 
significant drop in hyperactivity and inattention compared to start of 
the study and placebo.

The CPRS results, evaluated by parents after one month of treatment, 
showed a decrease in hyperactivity compared to the scores at the start 
of the study. The results for motor-visual coordination and 
concentration showed a significant increase for participants who took 
Pycnogenol after one month of the study period compared to before the 
study started. Participants who took placebo showed no significant 
improvement in these scores.

The researchers also found that, one month after termination of 
treatment, symptoms returned to their levels as measured before the 
study started in the Pycnogenol group, strongly suggesting the 
antioxidant's effect on reducing ADHD symptoms.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
7.8% of American Children are diagnosed with ADHD and 4.3% of children 
are taking medication for this disorder.

Most types of medications used to treat ADHD can be addictive and may 
have major side effects. Stimulant medications such as Ritalin, 
Dexedrine and Adderall are the most common treatments for ADHD and side 
effects often include depression, anxiety and irritability.

The CDC estimated nearly 3,100 people are admitted to emergency rooms 
each year due to stimulant drugs. An estimated 3.3 million Americans 
under the age of 19 and 1.5 million Americans over the age of 20 take 
ADHD medications. Pycnogenol was chosen for the study because it 
continues to scientifically demonstrate health benefits without serious 
side effects or addictive properties. Published findings have 
demonstrated Pycnogenol's beneficial effects in heart, circulatory, skin 
and cognitive function, among others.

"ADHD is affecting the quality of life for so many children and their 
families. It is imperative that science explores natural means to 
provide expanded treatment options. We look forward to advancing this 
promising research," said Rohdewald.
###
Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract originating from the bark of the 
Maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France and is 
found to contain a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and 
organic acids, which offer extensive natural health benefits. The 
extract has been widely studied for the past 35 years and has more than 
220 published studies and review articles ensuring safety and efficacy 
as an ingredient. Today, Pycnogenol is available in more than 400 
dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products worldwide. For 
more information or a copy of this study, visit www.pycnogenol.com.

Natural Health Science Inc., (NHS) based in Hoboken, New Jersey, is the 
North American distributor for Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all) brand French 
Maritime Pine Bark Extract on behalf of Horphag Research. Pycnogenol® is 
a registered trademark of Horphag Research Ltd., Guernsey, and its 
applications are protected by U.S. patents #5,720,956 / #6,372,266 and 
other international patents. NHS has the exclusive rights to market and 
sell Pycnogenol® and benefits from more than 35 years of scientific 
research assuring the safety and efficacy of Pycnogenol® as a dietary 
supplement. For more information about Pycnogenol® visit our web site at 
www.pycnogenol.com.
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
"Ask the Parkinson Dietitian"  http://www.parkinson.org/
"Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease"
"Parkinson's disease: Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy"
http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/