{"title":"The impact of Toxocara-seropositivity on attention and motor skills in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder","authors":"Mustafa Tolga Tunagur , Hatice Aksu , Evren Tileklioğlu , Hatice Ertabaklar","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2024.106017","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The study aims to compare neurological soft signs and executive functions between <em>Toxocara</em>-seropositive and seronegative groups in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>The study included 60 boys with ADHD, aged 7–12. After blood samples were taken, the Stroop Color Word Test and Judgment of Line Orientation test (JLOT) were implemented to measure executive functions. Neurological soft signs were evaluated with Physical and Neurological Examination for Subtle Signs (PANESS).</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Serological tests were positive for <em>Toxocara</em> antibodies in 20 cases. There was no significant difference between <em>Toxocara</em> seropositive and seronegative regarding age, socioeconomic status, developmental stages, and ADHD severity. However, <em>Toxocara</em>-seropositive children had higher Stroop time and Stroop interference scores and lower JLOT scores than <em>Toxocara</em>-seronegative children. Furthermore, <em>Toxocara</em>-seropositive children exhibited more neurological soft signs, such as gait and station abnormalities, dysrhythmia, and a longer total time in timed movements compared to <em>Toxocara</em>-seronegative children.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Our study indicates a link between <em>Toxocara</em>-seropositivity and impaired neurological soft signs and executive functions in ADHD. Further research is needed to understand ADHD mechanisms, develop practical treatments considering immunological factors, and thoroughly evaluate how <em>Toxocara</em> seropositivity affects executive functions and motor skills in children with ADHD.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"193 ","pages":"Article 106017"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2000,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Early human development","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378378224000860","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
The study aims to compare neurological soft signs and executive functions between Toxocara-seropositive and seronegative groups in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Methods
The study included 60 boys with ADHD, aged 7–12. After blood samples were taken, the Stroop Color Word Test and Judgment of Line Orientation test (JLOT) were implemented to measure executive functions. Neurological soft signs were evaluated with Physical and Neurological Examination for Subtle Signs (PANESS).
Results
Serological tests were positive for Toxocara antibodies in 20 cases. There was no significant difference between Toxocara seropositive and seronegative regarding age, socioeconomic status, developmental stages, and ADHD severity. However, Toxocara-seropositive children had higher Stroop time and Stroop interference scores and lower JLOT scores than Toxocara-seronegative children. Furthermore, Toxocara-seropositive children exhibited more neurological soft signs, such as gait and station abnormalities, dysrhythmia, and a longer total time in timed movements compared to Toxocara-seronegative children.
Conclusion
Our study indicates a link between Toxocara-seropositivity and impaired neurological soft signs and executive functions in ADHD. Further research is needed to understand ADHD mechanisms, develop practical treatments considering immunological factors, and thoroughly evaluate how Toxocara seropositivity affects executive functions and motor skills in children with ADHD.
期刊介绍:
Established as an authoritative, highly cited voice on early human development, Early Human Development provides a unique opportunity for researchers and clinicians to bridge the communication gap between disciplines. Creating a forum for the productive exchange of ideas concerning early human growth and development, the journal publishes original research and clinical papers with particular emphasis on the continuum between fetal life and the perinatal period; aspects of postnatal growth influenced by early events; and the safeguarding of the quality of human survival.
The first comprehensive and interdisciplinary journal in this area of growing importance, Early Human Development offers pertinent contributions to the following subject areas:
Fetology; perinatology; pediatrics; growth and development; obstetrics; reproduction and fertility; epidemiology; behavioural sciences; nutrition and metabolism; teratology; neurology; brain biology; developmental psychology and screening.