Evaluation of S100B, NSE, MBP and GFAP serum levels in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate serum levels of S100B protein, Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE), Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) that reflect glial and neural structure. To date, these proteins have been studied in neuropsychiatric diseases and relation with neuronal damage has been shown. However, there is no study that simultaneously evaluates the serum levels of these proteins in children with ADHD and compares them with healthy controls. Materials and methods: 44 children with ADHD and 37 healthy volunteers participated in the study. They were selected from children and adolescents aged 6-18 years who had no history of other medical or psychiatric diseases and had not used psychotropic drugs for the last six months. Levels of proteins were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Serum levels of S100B, NSE and GFAP were found to be statistically significantly higher in the ADHD group than in the control group (p=0.012, p=0.000, p=0.001, respectively). No significant difference was found in the intergroup comparison for MBP (p=0.181). Conclusion: Increased levels of S100B, NSE, GFAP may be an indicator of neuronal or glial changes in ADHD. Future studies combining serial measurements of these biochemical proteins with genetics and neuroimaging data are needed to evaluate the possible role of glial and neuronal damage in the etiopathogenesis of ADHD.