Methylphenidate Ameliorates Depressive Comorbidity in ADHD Children without any Modification on Differences in Serum Melatonin Concentration between ADHD Subtypes

Abstract

The vast majority of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients have other associated pathologies, with depressive symptoms as one of the most prevalent. Among the mediators that may participate in ADHD, melatonin is thought to regulate circadian rhythms, neurological function and stress response. To determine (1) the serum baseline daily variations and nocturnal excretion of melatonin in ADHD subtypes and (2) the effect of chronic administration of methylphenidate, as well as the effects on symptomatology, 136 children with ADHD (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision: DSM-IV-TR criteria) were divided into subgroups using the “Children’s Depression Inventory” (CDI). Blood samples were drawn at 20:00 and 09:00 h, and urine was collected between 21:00 and 09:00 h, at inclusion and after 4.61 ± 2.29 months of treatment. Melatonin and its urine metabolite were measured by radioimmunoassay RIA. Factorial analysis was performed using STATA 12.0. Melatonin was higher predominantly in hyperactive-impulsive/conduct disordered children (PHI/CD) of the ADHD subtype, without the influence of comorbid depressive symptoms. Methylphenidate ameliorated this comorbidity without induction of any changes in the serum melatonin profile, but treatment with it was associated with a decrease in 6-s-melatonin excretion in both ADHD subtypes. Conclusions: In untreated children, partial homeostatic restoration of disrupted neuroendocrine equilibrium most likely led to an increased serum melatonin in PHI/CD children. A differential cerebral melatonin metabolization after methylphenidate may underlie some of the clinical benefit.

Procedural Memory Consolidation in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Is Promoted by Scheduling of Practice to Evening Hours

“…More than 60% of adults with ADHD reported increased sleepiness during day time ( 54 , 55 , 70 ). Delayed timing of melatonin secretion is systematically found in children and adults with ADHD ( 54 , 55 , 71 ). Rybak et al suggested that a substantial circadian phase delay considerably impacts the core pathology of the ADHD ( 72 ).…”

GC-TOF-MS-Based Metabolomic Analysis and Evaluation of the Effects of HX106, a Nutraceutical, on ADHD-Like Symptoms in Prenatal Alcohol Exposed Mice

“…The reported alterations in amino acid metabolism can be characterized by changes in tryptophan/kynurenine metabolism, which representatively showed an increase of 3-hydroxykynurenine concentrations in the plasma of ADHD patients [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 40 ]. On the other hand, melatonin metabolism, monoamine metabolism and glutamate metabolism pathways are also repeatedly investigated in the brain or urine of ADHD patients [ 20 , 23 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ]. In this study, in order to investigate the metabolite changes involved in the neuropathology of ADHD-like hyperactivity induced by PAE and the ameliorative effects of HX106 treatment, we performed untargeted metabolomics using GC-TOF-MS. We clearly presented that the metabolite profiles in plasma, liver, colon and feces were altered in the OPAE group and that the changed direction was reversed by the HX106 treatment.…”

Deficit of Learning and Memory in Children with Hiperactivity and Attention deficit (ADHD). A Clinical Descriptive and Qualitative Study

“…The above-mentioned events lead to decreased synaptogenesis and decreased neuronal network formation and function causing learning and memory deficit at patients have other associated pathologies, with depressive symptoms as one of the most prevalent. Among the mediators that may participate in ADHD, melatonin is thought to regulate circadian rhythms, neurological function and stress response Cubero-Millán et al [14]. In addition to, system-level, local and cross-regional interactions, a consolidation mechanism involves stabilization of memory representations at the synaptic level.…”