Social cognitive deficits in male children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in relation to salivary oxytocin level

Abstract

Background: There is evidence supporting a pathophysiological role of oxytocin in attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) especially hyperactive and combined subtypes. It is known that children with ADHD show a high rate of social cognitive problems regarding emotion recognition. Oxytocin was assumed to play a role in the emergence of social cognition deficits in ADHD. Aim of this study is to assess social cognition (emotion recognition) deficits in relation to oxytocin level in different subtypes of ADHD among the study group. Forty male patients with ADHD were recruited from psychiatric outpatient clinic of Fayoum University Hospital, were diagnosed according to DSM-5, and were assessed using Conner's parent rating scale-revised (L). Social cognition measured by CANTAB emotion recognition task (ERT) and the level of salivary oxytocin was measured by ELISA technique. Results: Combined subtype had been lower in correctly detecting the emotions of fear and anger. Predominately, hyperactive impulsive ADHD subtype was more rapid while detecting the emotions of surprise and disgust. There was significant negative correlation between age of onset of ADHD and errors in detecting the emotion of anger and positive correlation between age of onset of ADHD and errors in detecting the emotion of surprise. Correct detection of the emotion of happiness was associated with increased oxytocin level but the correct detection of the emotion of fear was inversely related to oxytocin level. No statistically significant difference between different subtypes of ADHD regarding salivary oxytocin level. Conclusion: Oxytocin may play a role in social cognitive deficits in ADHD. The presence of social cognitive deficits in ADHD prompts further investigations to focus on the specificity of these deficits and in turn identify ways of managing them. Studying oxytocin in this population and its relation to social cognitive deficits can support the notion that oxytocin is a biological marker for ADHD.