Gut Leakage Markers and Cognitive Functions in Patients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Sheng-Yu Lee1,2, Sung-Chou Li3, Chia-Yu Yang4,5
1Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan.
Insights
Lower levels of human defensin (DEFA1), a gut leakage biomarker, were found in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). DEFA1 correlated inversely with ADHD symptom severity, suggesting a link between gut health and ADHD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent childhood mental disorder.
- Intestinal permeability (gut leakage) is a potential factor in ADHD pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between gut leakage biomarkers and ADHD susceptibility.
- To explore the relationship between serum biomarker levels and ADHD symptom severity and cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 130 children with ADHD and 73 healthy controls (HC).
- Measured serum concentrations of zonulin, occludin, and human defensin (DEFA1).
- Assessed visual attention using Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and ADHD symptoms via Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-Version IV Scale (SNAP-IV).
Main Results:
- Significantly lower DEFA1 levels in the ADHD group compared to HC (p=0.008).
- DEFA1 levels inversely correlated with inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity scores (p<0.05).
- Occludin levels positively correlated with visual attention detectability (p=0.020).
Conclusions:
- Reduced DEFA1 levels may be linked to ADHD susceptibility.
- Gut leakage markers show potential associations with ADHD pathophysiology and cognitive deficits.
- Findings offer new insights into the gut-brain axis in ADHD research.
Abstract:
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a commonly seen mental disorder in children. Intestinal permeability may be associated with the pathogenesis of ADHD. The study herein investigated the role of gut leakage biomarkers in the susceptibility of ADHD. A total of 130 children with ADHD and 73 healthy controls (HC) individuals were recruited. Serum concentrations of zonulin, occludin, and defensin (DEFA1) were determined. Visual attention was assessed with Conners' continuous performance test (CPT). In order to rate participants' ADHD core symptoms at home and school, their parents and teachers completed the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-Version IV Scale (SNAP-IV), respectively. We found significantly lower DEFA1 levels in the ADHD group compared to that in the HC group (p = 0.008), but not serum levels of zonulin and occludin. The serum levels of DEFA1 showed an inverse correlation with the inattention scores in the SNAP-IV parent form (p = 0.042) and teacher form (p = 0.010), and the hyperactivity/impulsivity scores in the SNAP-IV teacher form (p = 0.014). The serum levels of occludin showed a positive correlation with the subtest of detectability in the CPT (p = 0.020). Our study provides new reference into the relation between gut leakage markers and cognition, which may advance research of the pathophysiology of ADHD.
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