Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026

Using Brain Activation nir-HEG/Q-EEG and Execution Measures CPTs in a ADHD Assessment Protocol
Published on: April 1, 2018
Association of ADHD symptoms with the interactions within and between the HPA axis and melatonin system characterized
Sanjun Yi1, Xuliang Hou1, Guirong Xu2
1Department of Brain and Learning Science, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Institute of Child Development and Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing 211189, China.
Background:
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by abnormal functions of neuroendocrine systems with circadian rhythm, especially for the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the melatonin-N-acetylserotonin (MEL-NAS) system and the interactions within and between them. However, the specific neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying ADHD remain poorly understood. This might be partly due to the clinical heterogeneity of the disorder and the inherent fluctuations of traditional acute biomarkers from biofluids, which fail to reflect long-term physiological homeostasis.
Methods:
This study utilized a cross-sectional design and recruited 106 Chinese children with ADHD (age: 6-12 years) diagnosed by physicians according to DSM-IV criteria. Cortisol (F), cortisone (E), melatonin (MEL), and N-acetylserotonin (NAS) in hair and their ratios were employed as the biomarkers of the two systems and the interactions within and between them. The ADHD symptoms were assessed with the SNAP-IV scale that includes inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and oppositional symptoms and filled by children's parents. The 1-cm hair strands closest to the scalp were collected for the analysis of the four hormones with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Results:
Oppositional symptoms showed significantly positive association with the MEL/NAS ratio (p < 0.05). After demographic variables and oppositional symptoms were controlled, hyperactivity/impulsivity showed significantly positive association with the F/NAS and E/NAS ratios (ps < 0.05), but it was not observed for inattention.
Conclusion:
The clinical heterogeneity of ADHD core symptoms is underpinned by distinct neuroendocrine network imbalances. There was the function dominance of stress-related signaling over the NAS-mediated neuroprotection underlying the hyperactivity/impulsivity. Additionally, there was a disturbance in circadian metabolic homeostasis underlying the oppositional symptoms.
More Related Videos
10:02Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD
Published on: March 12, 2020
10:16Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World
Published on: April 7, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
Major Hormones and Their Functions
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and...
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Bipolar Disorder
Management of Insomnia