Immune processes in ADHD are likely to be associated with mediators of inflammation, such as cytokines. These results contribute to our understanding of action of neural antibodies and cytokines in ADHD.

This study aims at determining serum levels of tryptophan and other metabolites of the kynurenine pathway in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to healthy controls. Such metabolites interact with glutamate receptors in the central nervous system, potentially modulating mechanisms that are pivotal in ADHD and thus potentially representing peripheral biomarkers of the disorder. We measured serum levels of tryptophan and some metabolites of the kynurenine pathway in 102 children with ADHD and 62 healthy controls by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). As compared to healthy controls, children with ADHD showed a reduction in serum levels of anthranilic acid (-60%), kynurenic acid (-11.2%), and xanthurenic acid (-12.5%). In contrast, serum levels of tryptophan (+11.0%) and kynurenine (+48.6%) were significantly enhanced, and levels of quinolinic acid were unchanged in children with ADHD. In a logistic regression model, the presence of ADHD was predicted by low anthranilic acid and high tryptophan levels. These findings support the involvement of the kynurenine pathway in the pathophysiology of ADHD and suggest that anthranilic acid and tryptophan levels should be investigated as potential peripheral biomarker for ADHD.

The Lifetime Impairment Survey assessed impairment and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children/adolescents from six European countries. Parents/caregivers of children/adolescents aged<20 years with ADHD (ADHD group; n = 535) and without ADHD (control group; n=424) participated in an online survey. History of ADHD diagnosis was self-reported. ADHD and control groups were compared using impairment and symptom scales; higher scores indicate greater impairment. Mean (SD) age at ADHD diagnosis was 7.0 (2.8) years, following consultation of 2.7 (2.6) doctors over 20.4 (23.9) months. Parents/caregivers (64%; 344/535) reported frustration with some aspect of the diagnostic procedure; 74% (222/298) were satisfied with their child's current medication. ADHD had a negative impact on children/adolescents in all aspects of life investigated. The ADHD group had a higher mean (SD) school impairment score (2.7 [0.7]) compared with the control group (2.1 [0.7]; P<0.001) and were more likely to be in the bottom of their class (P<0.001). These data provide insights into impairments associated with ADHD in childhood/adolescence, and identify areas for improvement in its management and treatment.

No abstract

Many studies on cognitive impulsivity in learning disabled children have been criticized for their methodological limitations, and they have not dealt with the different types of learning disability. The aim of this study was to overcome these limitations and to assess if there was a significant cognitive impulsivity in reading disorder and/or spelling disorder by using the 20-item Matching Familiar Figures Test (MFF20). A total of 110 children (second through eighth grades) were recruited from a cohort of children assessed for the first time in a National Health clinic specialized in the study of specific learning disabilities. In all, 30 dyslexic children and 25 children with spelling disorder (all children without an ADHD comorbidity) were compared with 55 children of a control group on the MMF20 (accuracy and time latency). Results showed that the children with reading disorder were less accurate than the children with spelling disability (p<0.05). Both these groups performed less accurately than the control group. Subjects with dyslexia were faster than both the other groups in response time (p<0.05), clearly showing a significantly higher cognitive impulsivity than the other groups. Hence, data seem to confirm the idea that, similar to ADHD children, dyslexic children have impaired frontal/prefrontal functions. Clinical and treatment implications are discussed.