Serum Neopterin Level in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Various genetic, psychological, social, environmental and biochemical factors are thought to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of ADHD and ASD. Central nervous system and immune system are systems which are in interaction with each other . The cellular immunity may contribute to the development of the disorder via affecting the brain cell functions. High levels of neopterin are a wellestablished marker of immune activation, consistent with heightened cell-mediated immunity. We evaluated serum Neopterin as a marker of inflammation and we found no statistically significant difference in serum Neopterin level between ADHD group , ASD group and control group .Also no statistically significant difference between severity of both ASD and ADHD and Neopterin level.