Increased Serum Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor, Nerve Growth Factor, Glial-derived Neurotrophic Factor and Galanin Levels in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and the Effect of 10 Weeks Methylphenidate Treatment

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the levels of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and galanin in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: The study included 58 cases with ADHD and 60 healthy controls. Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime version (K-SADS-PL) together with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5) criteria were used for diagnostic evaluation. Sociodemographic data form and Conners' Parent/Teacher Rating Scale-Revised:Long Form were applied to all cases. The serum levels of BDNF, NGF, GDNF, and galanin were evaluated in all subjects. Afterwards, methylphenidate was started in the ADHD group. ADHD cases were reevaluated in terms of the serum levels of BDNF, NGF, GDNF, galanin at the 10th week of treatment. Results: Before the treatment, the levels of BDNF, NGF, GDNF, galanin were significantly higher in the ADHD group compared to the control group. The levels of BDNF, NGF, GDNF, galanin were found to be significantly lower after treatment in ADHD group compared to pre-treatment. No correlation was between scale scores and the serum levels of BDNF, NGF, GDNF, galanin. Conclusion: The levels of neurotrophic factors and galanin were thought to be parameters worth evaluating in ADHD. Further studies on the subject with longer-term treatments and larger sample groups are required.

Neurotrophins: Expression of Brain–Lung Axis Development

“…Likewise, results on ADHD subjects are inconsistent. Some studies reported increased serum BDNF levels in ADHD patients compared to healthy subjects, while other authors refuted these results, proving reduced or similar BDNF levels in patients and controls [ 32 , 38 , 89 ]. The discrepancy among the data regarding these pathologies may be ascribed to methodological differences in assay methods, time of collection and preparation of the samples, and patient characteristics such as the number of cases and controls, gender, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and subgroup division.…”

“…For their role in neurogenesis, neuronal survival and differentiation, and synaptic function, the involvement of NTs in several neurological diseases is well established, both during the developmental age and adulthood ( Table 1 ) [ 6 , 8 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

Update on genetics of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: current status 2023

“…Other pathways are the cannabinoid receptor signalling pathway and also the neurotrophin signalling pathway. The latter pathway has been repeatedly shown to be involved in ADHD [40,41 ▪▪ ], as, for example, significantly lower plasma levels of BDNF in a Taiwanese cohort of children diagnosed with ADHD [42]. In this study, the authors performed a time-course sampling of saliva cortisol levels at four times per day and morning plasma levels in ADHD-diagnosed children ( n = 98) and healthy controls ( n = 21) [43].…”

Expression Patterns of miRNAs in Egyptian Children with ADHD: Clinical Study with Correlation Analysis

“…BDNF has been reported to be altered in ADHD and learning disorders. High level of BDNF was reported in children with ADHD (El Ghamry et al 2021 ; Gumus et al 2022 ), and reduced in children with learning disorders (Elhadidy et al 2019 ). On the other hand, some studies did not detect alterations in BDNF level compared to neurotypical individuals (Bilgiç et al 2017 ; Scassellati et al 2014 ).…”