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Investigating the Role of Oxidative Stress Parameters in the Spectrum of Preschool Anxiety Disorders
Elifnur Cuhacioglu1, Özlem Dogan2, Humeyra Hilal Ozturk3
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Oxidative stress markers, including Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), may play a role in preschool anxiety disorders. Nrf2 levels showed predictive value for anxiety diagnosis in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Anxiety disorders in preschool-aged children are a growing concern.
- The underlying biological mechanisms, including oxidative stress, are not fully understood.
- Identifying etiological factors is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of oxidative stress markers in the development of anxiety disorders in preschool children.
- To examine serum levels of Nrf2, Keap1, Sestrin-2, Superoxide Dismutase, and GABPa as potential etiological factors.
- To determine if these markers can serve as biomarkers for anxiety disorders in this age group.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 65 children aged 3-6 years (22 with anxiety disorders, 22 with subclinical anxiety, 21 healthy controls).
- Anxiety was assessed using psychiatric evaluations and parent-reported scales (Preschool Anxiety Scale, Short Temperament Scale for Children, CBCL 1.5-5).
- Serum levels of Nrf2, Keap1, Sestrin-2, superoxide dismutase, and GABPa were measured via venous blood samples.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) levels were found across all three groups.
- GABPa levels differed significantly between the anxiety and control groups.
- Nrf2 levels positively correlated with anxiety duration and severity and showed significant predictive value for anxiety disorder diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- The study identifies potential biological markers associated with anxiety disorders in preschool-aged children.
- Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) emerges as a potential candidate biomarker for anxiety disorders in this population.
- Further validation in larger, longitudinal studies is recommended to confirm these findings.
Aim:
This study sought to clarify the contribution of oxidative stress to anxiety disorders in preschool-aged children by examining whether serum levels of Nrf2, Keap1, Sestrin-2, Superoxide Dismutase, and GABPa play etiological roles.
Method:
The sample included 65 children aged 3-6 years, comprising 22 children diagnosed with anxiety disorders, 22 with subclinical anxiety, and 21 healthy controls. Anxiety disorders were evaluated using a preschool-age psychiatric assessment. Parents completed the Preschool Anxiety Scale, the Short Temperament Scale for Children, and the CBCL 1.5-5 years forms. Venous blood samples were collected from all participants. Serum levels of Nrf2, Keap1, Sestrin-2, superoxide dismutase, and GABPa were then measured.
Results:
Nrf2 levels differed significantly among all three groups (p < 0.05), whereas GABPa levels differed significantly only between the anxiety and control groups (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between levels of Nrf2 and GABPa and both the duration and severity of anxiety disorders. Receiver operating characteristic analyses indicated that Nrf2 levels had significant predictive value for the diagnosis of anxiety disorders (p < 0.001), whereas GABPa levels did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.06).
Conclusions:
The results identify potential biological markers associated with anxiety disorders in preschool-aged children and suggest that Nrf2 may represent a potential candidate biomarker, pending confirmation in larger, longitudinal studies.
