Dr. Arnold is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with over 45 years’ experience in child psychiatric treatment research. Much of his own research has focused on effects of nutrients in children’s disorders. This includes treatment studies of essential fatty acids, amino acids, l-carnitine, zinc as both monotherapy and adjuvant to stimulant in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and multi-ingredient vitamin/mineral mixes. Beginning in 1969, one of his contributions was advancing the study of optical isomers of stimulants for ADHD. His two studies comparing d-amphetamine and l-amphetamine paved the way for development of mixed amphetamine salts and dextromethylphenidate as treatments, both now widely used for ADHD. Since 1978 he have been an advocate for scientific study of nutritional support for mental health, leading several studies and encouraging colleagues to investigate nutrients. Partly as a result of his efforts, the role of nutrients in brain health is currently a target of investigation on many fronts. 

In this Clinical Consultation Breakfast, some background principles and available evidence (or lack thereof) for nutritional support and other complementary/alternative interventions will be described as background for discussion of clinical situations brought up by participants.