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Serum Levels of Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha in Children With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
Akram E Elsadek1, Ashraf H Al-Shokary1, Waleed E Abdelghani1
1Pediatric Department, Benha University, Benha, Egypt.
Insights
Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have higher serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels than controls. These elevated IL-6 levels may play a role in ADHD development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Immunology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent childhood neurodevelopmental disorder.
- The precise etiology and pathogenesis of ADHD remain incompletely understood.
- Immune system dysregulation is increasingly implicated in neurodevelopmental conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of immune system markers in children with ADHD.
- To measure serum levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) in ADHD patients.
- To examine the correlation between these immune markers and ADHD symptom severity.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 80 children diagnosed with ADHD and 80 healthy controls.
- Diagnosis of ADHD based on DSM-5 criteria.
- Serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Psychometric assessments included IQ and Abbreviated Conners' Rating Scale.
Main Results:
- Children with ADHD exhibited significantly elevated serum IL-6 levels compared to controls (P=0.001).
- No significant difference in serum TNF-α levels was observed between ADHD patients and controls.
- Serum IL-6 levels did not correlate with intelligence quotient (IQ) or ADHD symptom severity scores.
Conclusions:
- Serum IL-6 is significantly higher in children with ADHD, suggesting a potential immune involvement.
- Elevated IL-6 may contribute to the underlying mechanisms or etiology of ADHD.
- TNF-α levels and IL-6 did not correlate with symptom severity in this cohort.
Background:
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder in children, but its etiology and pathogenesis are still unclear.
Aims:
The aims of this study were to measure the level of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as markers of immune system involvement in children with ADHD, and to study their correlation with symptoms severity of ADHD.
Materials And Methods:
The study was conducted on 80 children diagnosed as ADHD based on the criteria adapted from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. Eighty healthy children of matched age and sex served as a control group. All children enrolled in the study were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, and psychometric tests. Assay for serum IL-6 and TNF-α for all patients and controls was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
The mean serum level of IL-6 was 26.11 ± 11.14 and 6.23 ± 2.52 in children with ADHD and controls, respectively. Children with ADHD showed significantly higher serum IL-6 levels than the control group (P = 0.001). Serum IL-6 showed no significant correlation with the intelligence quotient (IQ) or the Abbreviated Conners' Rating Scale scores for parents. However, TNF-α showed no significant differences between the two groups and no significant correlation with the IQ or the Abbreviated Conners' Rating Scale scores for parents.
Conclusion:
Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in children with ADHD compared to controls; however, the IL-6 levels did not correlate with ADHD symptoms severity. Increased IL-6 levels may contribute to the etiology of ADHD.
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