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Published in: BMC Neurology 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Research

Kynurenine and oxidative stress in children having learning disorder with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: possible role and involvement

Authors: Ayman Kilany, Neveen Hassan Nashaat, Hala M. Zeidan, Adel F. Hashish, Mostafa M. El-Saied, Ehab Ragaa Abdelraouf

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

The etiological and pathophysiological factors of learning disorder (LD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are currently not well understood. These disorders disrupt some cognitive abilities. Identifying biomarkers for these disorders is a cornerstone to their proper management. Kynurenine (KYN) and oxidative stress markers have been reported to influence some cognitive abilities. Therefore, the aim was to measure the level of KYN and some oxidative stress indicators in children with LD with and without ADHD and to investigate their correlations with the abilities of children with LD.

Methods

The study included 154 participants who were divided into 3 groups: one for children who have LD (N = 69); another for children with LD and ADHD (N = 31); and a group for neurotypical (NT) children (N = 54). IQ testing, reading, writing, and other ability performance evaluation was performed for children with LD. Measuring plasma levels of KYN, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed for all participants.

Results

Some IQ measures and learning skills differed between the first two groups. The biochemical measures differed between children with LD (with and without ADHD) and NT children (p < 0.001). However, the biochemical measures did not show a significant statistical difference between the first two groups. KYN and glutathione peroxidase levels were correlated with one-minute writing and at-risk quotient, respectively (p = 0.03;0.04). KYN and malondialdehyde showed the highest sensitivity and specificity values.

Conclusion

These biochemical measures could be involved or have a role in the abilities’ performance of children with specific learning disorder.
Footnotes
1
STROBE (Strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology) is a checklist that is encouraged be used and fulfilled in observational studies such as cross-sectional studies.
 
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Metadata
Title
Kynurenine and oxidative stress in children having learning disorder with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: possible role and involvement
Authors
Ayman Kilany
Neveen Hassan Nashaat
Hala M. Zeidan
Adel F. Hashish
Mostafa M. El-Saied
Ehab Ragaa Abdelraouf
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-022-02886-w

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