Abstract
Objective:
The pathogenesis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is currently unclear. We hypothesized that chronic immune activation, as indexed by T and B cells, plays a role in the pathophysiology of attention problems. Therefore, we examined T and B cell subsets in a general pediatric population with information on attention problems.
Methods:
We included 756 10-year-old children from the Generation R population-based cohort. Eleven-color flow cytometry was performed on peripheral blood samples to determine T and B cell subsets. The Child Behavior Checklist rated by parents was used to measure attention problems. Data were analyzed using linear regression analyses, adjusting for maternal and child covariates and co-occurring childhood psychopathology.
Results:
For T helper 1 (Th1) cells, one standard deviation (SD) increase was associated with 5.3% (95%CI 0.3; 10.5) higher attention problem scores. Furthermore, 1SD increase in CD8+ T cells was associated with 7.5% (95%CI 2.4; 12.7) higher attention problem scores. Within total CD8+ T cells, 1SD increase in naive or central memory cells was associated with 6.9% (95%CI 2.0; 12.1) and 6.4% (95%CI 1.5; 11.6) higher attention problem scores, respectively. No associations between Th2, Treg or B memory cells and attention problem scores were observed.
Conclusion:
Higher Th1 and cytotoxic T cell numbers are associated with higher attention problem scores independent of co-occurring psychopathology. This might indicate a possible role of a pro-inflammatory immune profile in childhood attention problems.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e12038 |
Journal | JCPP Advances |
Volume | 1 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2021 The Authors. JCPP Advances published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.