Oxidative stress in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate oxidative stress in ADHD children.Design and methodsLevels of oxidant parameters malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and antioxidant parameters paraoxonase (PON1) and thiol levels were measured in thirty children with ADHD (27 boys, 3 girls) who were firstly diagnosed according to DSM-IV and thirty healthy children (18 boys, 12 girls) aged 6–12 years.ResultsThe levels of the oxidant parameters MDA and 8-OHDG were statistically significantly lower in ADHD children compared to the controls. We did not find a significant difference between the groups regarding AOPP, PON1, and thiol levels.ConclusionWe found low levels of some oxidants and no difference of antioxidant parameters in ADHD children. Our study points out that there may not be a direct relationship between oxidative stress and ADHD.

► We investigated the probable alterations of oxidative stress parameters in ADHD.
► We compared 30 ADHD children with 30 controls.
► The levels of the oxidant parameters MDA and 8-OHDG were lower in ADHD patients.
► This is the first study to investigate these parameters in ADHD children.
► We believe more studies are needed on this subject.