title: Increased levels of serum neopterin in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
abstract: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most frequently occurring neuropsychiatric disorder in childhood with an etiology that is not fully understood. A number of reviews that have addressed the neurobiology of ADHD have focused on imaging and genetics. Relatively little attention has been given to factors/mechanisms involved in the brain dysfunction. We suggest that changes in cellular immunity may be involved. Neopterin is a good indicator of cellular immunity, and we evaluated serum levels of neopterin in patients with ADHD. The study group consisted of 49 patients with ADHD. An age- and gender-matched control group was composed of 31 healthy subjects. Venous blood samples were collected, and the levels of neopterin were measured. The levels of neopterin were significantly higher in ADHD than in the comparison subjects. Cellular immunity may have a role in the etiopathogenesis of ADHD.
authors: Yildirim Beyazit University Faculty of Medicine, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet Fatih
authors: MF
authors: Ceylan
authors: Ankara Pediatric &Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Ozden Sukran
authors: OS
authors: Uneri
authors: Ankara Pediatric &Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Esra
authors: E
authors: Guney
authors: Yildirim Beyazit University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Merve
authors: M
authors: Ergin
authors: Yildirim Beyazit University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Murat
authors: M
authors: Alisik
authors: Ankara Pediatric &Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Zeynep
authors: Z
authors: Goker
authors: Ankara Pediatric &Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Gulser
authors: G
authors: Senses Dinc
authors: Ankara Pediatric &Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Fatma
authors: F
authors: Karaca Kara
authors: Yildirim Beyazit University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Ozcan
authors: O
authors: Erel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019798:Neopterin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D019798:Neopterin
keywords: ADHD; Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Cellular immunity; Neopterin