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Changes in serum levels of kynurenine metabolites in paediatric patients affected by ADHD

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Abstract

This study aims at determining serum levels of tryptophan and other metabolites of the kynurenine pathway in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to healthy controls. Such metabolites interact with glutamate receptors in the central nervous system, potentially modulating mechanisms that are pivotal in ADHD and thus potentially representing peripheral biomarkers of the disorder. We measured serum levels of tryptophan and some metabolites of the kynurenine pathway in 102 children with ADHD and 62 healthy controls by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). As compared to healthy controls, children with ADHD showed a reduction in serum levels of anthranilic acid (−60%), kynurenic acid (−11.2%), and xanthurenic acid (−12.5%). In contrast, serum levels of tryptophan (+11.0%) and kynurenine (+48.6%) were significantly enhanced, and levels of quinolinic acid were unchanged in children with ADHD. In a logistic regression model, the presence of ADHD was predicted by low anthranilic acid and high tryptophan levels. These findings support the involvement of the kynurenine pathway in the pathophysiology of ADHD and suggest that anthranilic acid and tryptophan levels should be investigated as potential peripheral biomarker for ADHD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NESMOS Department, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy

    Melania Evangelisti, Pietro De Rossi, Jole Rabasco, Gabriele Sani, Maurizio Simmaco & Maria Pia Villa

  2. S. Pertini Hospital, ASL RM/B, Rome, Italy

    Renato Donfrancesco

  3. I.R.C.C.S. Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy

    Pietro De Rossi & Gabriele Sani

  4. Experimental Immunology Laboratory, Biochemistry Laboratory, IDI-IRCCS FLMM, Rome, Italy

    Luana Lionetto & Matilde Capi

  5. I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy

    Ferdinando Nicoletti

  6. Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy

    Ferdinando Nicoletti

  7. Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Pietro De Rossi & Gabriele Sani

Authors
  1. Melania Evangelisti
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  2. Pietro De Rossi
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Correspondence to Maria Pia Villa.

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MelaniaEvangelisti—Reports no disclosures. JoleRabasco—Reports no disclosures. Renato Donfrancesco—Reports no disclosures. Pietro De Rossi—Reports no disclosures. LuanaLionetto—Reports no disclosures. MatildeCapi—Reports no disclosures. Gabriele Sani—Reports no disclosures. Maurizio Simmaco—Reports no disclosures. Ferdinando Nicoletti—Reports no disclosures. Maria Pia Villa—Reports no disclosures.

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Evangelisti, M., De Rossi, P., Rabasco, J. et al. Changes in serum levels of kynurenine metabolites in paediatric patients affected by ADHD. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 26, 1433–1441 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-017-1002-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-017-1002-2

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