Aug 2026· Academic Journal of Health Sciences· Vol 41, pp. 449· 0 citations
TL;DR
The association between HMGB1 and communication problems suggests a possible relationship with specific neurodevelopmental dimensions; however, these findings are preliminary and hypothesis-generating and require replication in larger pediatric samples.
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to compare serum high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in individuals diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with those of a control group. Methods: The study included adolescents aged 12–18 years diagnosed with ADHD and healthy controls. Diagnostic assessment was performed using the K-SADS-PL interview; ADHD symptom severity was evaluated with the Turgay DSM-IV Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale (T-DSM-IV-S), and autism-like symptoms were assessed with the ASSQ. Serum HMGB1 and hs-CRP levels were measured by ELISA. Results: Serum HMGB1 levels in the ADHD group (21.17 ± 12.17 ng/mL) were significantly lower compared to the control group (36.37 ± 21.88 ng/mL) (p < 0.001). In contrast, hs-CRP levels did not differ between the groups (p = 0.888). No significant association was found between HMGB1 and ADHD symptom severity; however, a significant positive correlation was identified with the ASSQ communication problems subscale (r = 0.401, p = 0.013). ROC analysis revealed moderate discriminative power (AUC = 0.738, cut-off value = 24.50 ng/mL; sensitivity 68.9%, specificity 74.3%). Conclusions: Serum HMGB1 levels were lower in adolescents with ADHD than in healthy controls, whereas hs-CRP levels did not differ between groups. The association between HMGB1 and communication problems suggests a possible relationship with specific neurodevelopmental dimensions; however, these findings are preliminary and hypothesis-generating and require replication in larger pediatric samples.
It is demonstrated that decreased serum BDNF levels are associated with the presence and symptom severity of anxiety disorders, and the Val66Met polymorphism does not appear to be a primary determinant of serum BDNF levels in this population, suggesting that other genetic or environmental factors may be involved.
Dicle Yilmaz Uyanik, Merve Şahin Can, O. Baykan et al.· Molecular Biology Reports· 0 citations
Background Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children. The impact of environmental factors on ADHD is very important. Therefore, we analyzed and measured the correlation between the serum vitamin and microelement levels of Chinese children and the incidence rate of ADHD, hoping to provide some guidance for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. Methods 128 children (69 boys and 59 girls, with an average age of 9.38 ± 2.5 years) were diagnosed with ADHD. In addition, 133 healthy children were recruited as the healthy control group (HC). The levels of serum vitamins and elements were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Use statistical analysis to compare the differences in the content of two groups of indicators and analyze their correlation with ADHD. Results Compared with the healthy control group (HC group), children with ADHD exhibited significantly lower levels of serum vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin D3, while the levels of lead and copper were also significantly elevated. Logistic regression analysis indicated a negative correlation between vitamin D levels and ADHD. Conclusion Children with ADHD exhibit significantly lower serum VD levels and higher Pb levels (only in boys), suggesting VD deficiency and sex-specific Pb susceptibility may be key factors associated with ADHD.
Tianzhu Chen, Jia-Xiong Yao, Yang Su et al.· Frontiers in Molecular Biosc...· 0 citations
Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood and adolescence. Iron is involved in dopamine synthesis, myelination, and brain energy metabolism; therefore, reduced iron stores may be relevant to ADHD, although serum ferritin findings remain inconsistent. Objective This study aimed to compare serum ferritin levels between non-anemic children and adolescents with ADHD and controls, and to evaluate their association with ADHD clinical presentations and symptom severity. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional analytical study included 105 children and adolescents with DSM-5-TR ADHD and 102 age-comparable controls without known psychiatric or chronic systemic disease, recruited from pediatric outpatient clinics during the same period. Participants with anemia, active systemic disease, intellectual disability, or laboratory evidence of acute inflammation were excluded. Hemoglobin, ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were compared between groups. Same-day ferritin/CRP values from the same institutional laboratory were used. Serum iron samples were obtained in the morning after fasting. Within the ADHD group, iron-related parameters, ADHD presentation, pharmacotherapy/supplementation status, and parent- and teacher-rated Conners scores were evaluated. Non-parametric tests, Spearman correlation analysis, and multivariable logistic regression were performed. Results The groups were comparable in age, hemoglobin, and CRP. Male sex was more frequent in the ADHD group [77/105 (73.3%) vs. 49/102 (48.0%); p<0.001]. Serum ferritin levels were lower in the ADHD group [15.10 ng/mL, interquartile range (IQR): 11.10–20.60 vs. 20.10 ng/mL, IQR: 15.03–28.33; p<0.001]. After adjustment for age, sex, hemoglobin, and CRP, higher ferritin levels were associated with lower odds of ADHD (OR = 0.927, 95% CI: 0.895–0.961; p<0.001). Ferritin levels differed across ADHD presentations and showed weak negative correlations with parent- and teacher-rated hyperactivity scores. Conclusion Non-anemic children and adolescents with ADHD had lower serum ferritin levels than controls. Ferritin may be a supportive biological parameter in selected ADHD subgroups, but not a diagnostic or severity biomarker.
Burak Kamış, Şule Çalışkan Kamış, Cumali Yüksekkaya et al.· Frontiers in Psychiatry· 0 citations
Background: Vitamin D is a Neurosteroid hormone that plays a role in neuroprotection, neurotransmitter modulation, and neurodevelopment. The pathophysiology of schizophrenia and the intensity of related psychotic symptoms have been linked to its insufficiency. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate blood vitamin D levels between individuals with schizophrenia and age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Additionally, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) will be used to correlate vitamin D status with symptom profile. Materials and Methods: At a tertiary care teaching hospital in Tamil Nadu, India, this hospital based case-control study recruited 30 drug-naive patients with schizophrenia (diagnosed according to ICD-10 criteria) and 30 healthy, age- and sex-matched controls between the ages of 25 and 40 over the course of a year. Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) was used to measure the amount of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in fasting serum. PANSS was used to gauge the severity of the symptoms. For statistical analysis, the chi-square test, independent-samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation were employed. Results: Compared to controls (19.57 ± 5.46 ng/mL; t = 4.01, p = 0.001), the mean blood vitamin D was considerably lower in cases (14.13 ± 5.03 ng/mL). Compared to 40.0% of controls, 83.3% of patients had inadequate or deficient vitamin D status (χ² = 12.08, p = 0.002). Positive PANSS scores (r = −0.465, p = 0.010) and total PANSS scores (r = −0.506, p = 0.001) were significantly and negatively linked with vitamin D levels, but not negative PANSS (r = −0.329, p = 0.076) or general psychopathology scores (r = −0.006, p = 0.976).
Conclusion: In this cohort, low blood vitamin D is linked to schizophrenia and corresponds with overall symptom severity and positive symptom load, but not with negative or general psychopathology symptoms. Patients with schizophrenia may benefit from routine metabolic evaluations that include vitamin D assessments, and treating deficiencies may help manage symptoms.
Sudha P, Arivalagan C· NATIONAL BOARD OF EXAMINATIO...· 0 citations
To measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to evaluate the correlation between vitamin D status and disease severity. A case–control study was conducted at the Otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinics of Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt. Children aged 2–16 years were screened using the validated Arabic version of the Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder scale of the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (SRBD-PSQ). Participants with SRBD-PSQ scores ≥ 33% (n = 42) formed the OSAS group and those with scores < 33% (n = 42) served as controls. Serum 25(OH)D was quantified by competitive inhibition ELISA. Groups were matched for age, sex, and BMI. Both groups were comparable for age, sex, and BMI (all p > 0.05). Mean serum 25(OH)D was significantly lower in OSAS cases than controls (23.94 ± 9.33 vs. 28.18 ± 9.83 ng/mL; p = 0.021). Severe deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) was present in 47.6% of cases versus 9.5% of controls (p = 0.001). Serum 25(OH)D correlated inversely with SRBD-PSQ scores in cases (rₛ = −0.487; p = 0.006) and controls (rₛ = −0.526; p = 0.002). Serum 25(OH)D was significantly lower in Egyptian children with likely OSAS (screened by SRBD-PSQ) than in matched healthy peers. The inverse correlation between vitamin D status and SRBD-PSQ severity score is consistent with an association between hypovitaminosis D and pediatric sleep-disordered breathing; however, causality cannot be inferred from this cross-sectional design. Prospective studies incorporating polysomnography are needed before vitamin D measurement can be recommended as a clinical adjunct in OSAS evaluation.
Y. M. Elbeltagy, Marwa M El Begermy, Tarek Abd Elhamid Mohamed et al.· The Egyptian Journal of Otol...· 0 citations
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a long-term mental health condition often associated with immune system dysregulation. While pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines are known to influence neuroinflammation, their specific roles in GAD remain less understood. This study investigates the relationship between serum levels of IL-4 and MCP-3 and GAD in a Bangladeshi population. This case-control study included 44 patients with GAD and 44 healthy controls (HCs). Participants were examined using the GAD-7 scale. Serum IL-4 and MCP-3 levels were measured using ELISA. Data were analyzed using t-tests, Spearman’s correlation, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to assess diagnostic performance. GAD patients had significantly lower serum IL-4 levels (11.82 ± 10.91 pg/mL) and higher MCP-3 levels (57.80 ± 19.85 pg/mL) compared to HCs (IL-4: 24.51 ± 15.36 pg/mL; MCP-3: 34.01 ± 15.75 pg/mL; p < 0.001). IL-4 levels showed a significant negative correlation with GAD-7 scores (r = −0.496, p < 0.001), while MCP-3 showed a positive correlation (r = 0.544, p < 0.001). ROC analysis indicated that MCP-3 had higher diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.848, sensitivity = 87.6%, specificity = 84.3%) compared to IL-4 (AUC = 0.782, sensitivity = 80.2%, specificity = 78.5%). Moreover, decreased IL-4 and elevated MCP-3 levels were found to be significantly associated with GAD severity, suggesting an immune imbalance. These cytokines may serve as promising diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for GAD. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to investigate this causal relationship and its underlying mechanisms.
Most. Humayra Binta Rashid, Mehedi Islam, Sardar Mohammad Ashraful Islam et al.· Experimental biology and med...· 0 citations
