Possible Effects of Copper and Ceruloplasmin Levels on Auditory Event Potentials in Boys with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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Özgür Yorbik1, Caner Mutlu2, Mehmet Fatih Özdağ3
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Maltepe University School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Plasma copper and ceruloplasmin levels influence event-related potentials (ERPs) in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Lower copper and ceruloplasmin levels are associated with altered brain activity, impacting information processing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder.
- Altered brain activity and information processing are key features of ADHD.
- The role of specific biochemical factors like copper (Cu) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) in ADHD-related ERP changes requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between plasma copper (Cu) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) levels and event-related potentials (ERPs) in children with ADHD.
- To compare ERP indices, including P1, N2, and P3 amplitudes and latencies, between children with ADHD and controls.
- To investigate how plasma Cu and Cp levels specifically affect these ERP components in children with ADHD.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 41 boys diagnosed with ADHD and 24 typically developing boys for a control group.
- Administered an auditory oddball paradigm to record event-related potentials (ERPs) from parietal and frontal regions.
- Divided the ADHD group into subgroups based on median plasma Cu and Cp levels to analyze their effects.
Main Results:
- Children with ADHD exhibited significantly longer parietal P3 latency and smaller parietal P3, frontal P3, and frontal N2 amplitudes compared to controls.
- Lower plasma Cu levels were associated with shorter parietal P1 and frontal P1 latencies in the ADHD group.
- Lower plasma Cp levels correlated with decreased frontal N2 and parietal N2 amplitudes in the ADHD group.
Conclusions:
- Plasma Cu and Cp levels significantly influence ERPs in children with ADHD, suggesting an impact on information processing.
- Copper may negatively affect neuronal sound encoding, while ceruloplasmin might positively influence cognitive control and stimulus discrimination processes in ADHD.
- These findings highlight the potential role of copper and ceruloplasmin as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in ADHD management.
Introduction:
The aims of the present study were to investigate the relationship between levels of plasma copper (Cu) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) and amplitudes and latencies of P1, N2, and P3 in the parietal and frontal areas of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as to compare these Cu levels and event-related potentials (ERPs) indices in controls.
Methods:
Boys (n=41) with ADHD were divided into two subgroups according to a median split of plasma Cu and Cp levels, separately. ERP indices from the parietal and frontal regions were recorded in children with ADHD and 24 normal boys (control group) using an auditory oddball paradigm.
Results:
Parietal P3 latency was significantly longer, and parietal P3 amplitude, frontal P3 amplitude, and frontal N2 amplitudes were smaller in children with ADHD than in controls (all p values <0.017). Parietal P1 and frontal P1 latencies were significantly shorter in the higher Cu group than in the lower Cu group (both p values <0.017). Decreased latency of parietal P1 was dependent on plasma levels of Cu (p<0.05). Frontal N2 and parietal N2 amplitudes were significantly lower in the ADHD group with lower Cp levels than in the ADHD group with higher Cp levels (both p values <0.017). Decreased frontal N2 and parietal N2 amplitudes were dependent on plasma levels of Cp (both p values <0.05).
Conclusion:
Plasma Cu and Cp levels may have an effect on ERPs in ADHD, thus indicating the existence of effects on information processing. Cu levels may have a negative effect on the neuronal encoding of sound, whereas Cp levels may have a positive effect on the processes of cognitive control, conflict monitoring, and stimulus discrimination in children with ADHD.
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