title: Decreased Serum Cu/Zn SOD Associated with High Copper in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess serum Cu/Zn SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) concentration in children with ADHD and evaluate its possible relationship to Cu and Zn levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum from 22 children with ADHD and 20 healthy control children without ADHD and 19 autistic children without ADHD were tested for Cu/Zn SOD using ELISAs and levels of serum Cu and Zn using inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum Cu/Zn SOD levels of ADHD children were significantly lower than age and gender matched healthy non-ADHD controls (P < 0.001). Serum Cu/Zn SOD of ADHD children was significantly lower in individuals with high serum copper (P = 0.024). There was no significant correlation between Cu/Zn SOD levels and Zinc or Cu/Zn in ADHD individuals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest an association between Cu/Zn SOD serum levels and ADHD, particularly ADHD children with high serum copper.
authors.affiliation: Research Director, Health Research Institute/Pfeiffer Treatment Center, 4575 Weaver Parkway, Warrenville, Illinois 60555, USA. Email: ajrusso@hriptc.org.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Russo
keywords: ADHD; Cu/Zn SOD; copper; super oxide dismutase