Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, Children with Special Needs Research Department, National Research Centre, Elbuhouth Street, Cairo, 12622, Dokki, Egypt.
Pediatric Neurology Research Field, Medical Research Centre of Excellence, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
BMC Neurol. 2022 Sep 20;22(1):356. doi: 10.1186/s12883-022-02886-w.
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.
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.
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.
These biochemical measures could be involved or have a role in the abilities' performance of children with specific learning disorder.
学习障碍（LD）和注意缺陷多动障碍（ADHD）的病因和病理生理因素目前尚不清楚。这些疾病会破坏一些认知能力。识别这些疾病的生物标志物是其妥善管理的基石。犬尿氨酸（KYN）和氧化应激标志物已被报道会影响一些认知能力。因此，本研究旨在测量伴有和不伴有 ADHD 的 LD 儿童的 KYN 水平和一些氧化应激指标，并探讨其与 LD 儿童能力的相关性。
本研究纳入了 154 名参与者，他们被分为 3 组：一组为 LD 儿童（N=69）；另一组为 LD 合并 ADHD 儿童（N=31）；一组为神经典型（NT）儿童（N=54）。对 LD 儿童进行智商测试、阅读、写作和其他能力表现评估。采用酶联免疫吸附法测定所有参与者的血浆 KYN、丙二醛、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶和超氧化物歧化酶水平。
前两组的一些智商指标和学习技能存在差异。生化指标在 LD 儿童（伴或不伴 ADHD）和 NT 儿童之间存在差异（p<0.001）。然而，生化指标在前两组之间没有显著的统计学差异。KYN 和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶水平分别与一分钟写作和风险商数相关（p=0.03；0.04）。KYN 和丙二醛的敏感性和特异性值最高。
这些生化指标可能参与或在特定学习障碍儿童的能力表现中起作用。
