Associations between T cells and attention problems in the general pediatric population: The Generation R study

Kirsten I.M. Looman, Charlotte A.M. Cecil, Christina Grosserichter-Wagener, Jessica C. Kiefte-de Jong, Menno C. van Zelm, Henriëtte A. Moll*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
2 Downloads (Pure)

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 languageEnglish
Article numbere12038
JournalJCPP Advances
Volume1
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 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.

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