Evaluating Sleep Disorders amongst Children with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Background: The attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most compromising mental disorders of childhood and adolescence. Subsequently, different studies in recent years were conducted on the relationship between sleep disturbances and ADHD in children. About 30% of children and 60% to 80% of adults with ADHD develop sleep disorders, which may result in cognitive and behavioral changes in the patients. The current study aimed at comparing sleep disorders in children with ADHD and their normal peers in Tabriz, Iran. Materials and Methods: The current case-control study was conducted on the target population of children within the age range of 6 to 12 years, which included 50 children with ADHD receiving medication, 55 children with ADHD symptoms without receiving any medication, and 71 normal children, all of which screened from the school students of Tabriz using the child symptom inventory-4 (CSI-4) and selected by the multi-stage cluster sampling method. The children's sleep habits questionnaire (CSHQ) was completed by their mothers and data were analyzed using the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results: According to the results of the current study, a significant number of children with ADHD showed sleep disorder that can accounts for some degree of their behavioral dysregulation. There was a significant difference among the study groups regarding the subscales of sleep resistance and sleep duration, daytime sleep, parasomnia,  and sleep apnea (p 0.05). Conclusion: Since children with ADHD usually have more sleep problems, considering the sleep quality in such children is of great importance; in the treatment of such children their sleep problems should be considered particularly

Effectiveness of Brainwave Entrainment in Alpha Band on Working Memory, Anti-Saccade and Anxiety Level of Anxious Participants

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Brainwave Entrainment in alpha band on working memory, anti-saccade and anxiety level of anxious participants. The present study is a quasi-experimental project of pre-test-post-test with control group. In this regard, after screening 250 university students, 30 anxious participants were selected by Beck anxiety inventory and randomly divided into one experimental group and one control group (15 groups each). All participants were assessed in the pre-test and post-test stages by the Corsi Blocks Tapping test, Antisaccade Task and Beck Anxiety inventory. Participants in the experimental groups received 10 Hz binaural beats for 30 minutes for 5 days a week in a period of one month. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance. The findings showed that 10 Hz binaural beats (alpha bands) significantly improved pasticipant's working memory, increased antisaccade and decreased anxiety level. Therefore, brainwave entrainment in the alpha band is recommended as a non-invasive intervention method to reduce the level of anxiety and improve cognitive functions

The rs6323 and uVNTR Polymorphisms in the MAOA Gene are Associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Iranian Azeri Children

Background: ADHD is the most prevalent psychiatric health issue in youth, which may also affect adults. Environmental and genetic factors both contribute significantly to the development and progression of this condition. Monoamine oxidases, which catalyze the metabolism of dopaminergic neurotransmitters, are involved in the pathogenesis of ADHD. The purpose of this study was to determine the connection between polymorphic variations rs6323 and uVNTR in the (Un translate variable nucleotide tandem repeat) MAO-A gene and the risk for ADHD in Iranian-Azeri children.Methods: Clinical evaluation was used to recruit 137 ADHD patients (female 22, male 115) and 100 controls (female 48, male 52) from the East Azerbaijan region in northern Iran. Genomic DNA was taken from their peripheral blood samples and genotyping was performed using PCR-based amplification of target sites. SPSS (Version 16) and the javastat online statistics program (http://statpages.org/ctab2x2.html) were used for statistical analysis.Results: The rs6323TT genotype was shown to be a significant risk factor for ADHD (OR 3.619, 95 percent CI 0.878-17.213, p = 0.044). In comparison, no significant differences in allele frequencies were observed between ADHD patients and the control group (p > 0.05). The 5R allele of uVNTR was shown to have a substantial protective impact against the development of ADHD (OR0.349, 95 percent confidence interval 0.151-0.797, p = 0.006).Conclusion: Our findings indicate that MAOA gene polymorphisms may play a role in the start and development of ADHD in Iranian-Azeri youngsters. However, more research with larger sample sizes is necessary to corroborate these results

Molecular evaluation of Ex3 VNTR polymorphism of the DRD4 gene in patients with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract Objective Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that affect social and communication skills. They are characterized by severe communication and social skills disabilities and limited and repetitive activities and their prevalence appear to be steadily increasing. Genes involved in the dopamine pathway may play an important role in the development of autism and this study we evaluated the possible association between Ex3 VNTR polymorphism of the DRD4 gene and autism spectrum disorder in the Iranian population. Materials & Methods In this case-control study,97 children with autism and 103 healthy individuals were selected from the northwestern area of Iran as the case group and the control group, respectively. After genomic extraction from peripheral blood samples by the proteinase K method, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to determine the genotypes of polymorphism. The data then were coded and analyzed using SPSS22 software. Result The results of the study showed that the allele frequencies were different in the two groups and some of these differences were statistically significant. The most common allele in both the ASD and the control group was the 700 bp allele and its frequency was significantly different in the two groups, being more common in the ASD group. (p-value=0.0018). The other allele with a statistically different frequency was the 800 bp allele which was less frequent in the ASD group (p-value=0.0017). Conclusion These results suggest a potential association between Ex3 VNTR polymorphism of the DRD4 gene and autism spectrum disorder in the Iranian population and necessitate further studies evaluating the DRD4 gene

Analysis of Association between the Effects of Methylphenidate and DRD4 Gene Polymorphisms in Patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Background: Drug treatment is one of the most important treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The DRD4 gene is a transporter and receptor coding gene of dopamine and is one of the most important genes under investigation in the disorder and etiology of ADHD. In this study, the association between rs3758653 C/T and VNTR exon 3 repetition polymorphisms of the DRD4 gene and the effects of methylphenidate were investigated in patients with ADHD disorder consuming methylphenidate. Methods: The descriptive-analytical study was performed on 122 patients (5 - 18 years old) with ADHD who were treated with methylphenidate. DNA was extracted using salting out method. Subsequently, the rs3758653 polymorphism in the 5’UTR region of DRD4 gene was genotyped by PCR-RFLP method, and the VNTR fragment in exon III of DRD4 gene was investigated by electrophoresis gel on acrylamide gel method. After eight weeks from the start of drug treatment with methylphenidate, the intensity of symptoms was evaluated using the Conners scale. Finally, all data from questionnaires and information that were resulted from laboratory findings were analyzed using ANOVA and repeated measure analysis. Results: Of the 122 patients under study, 15 patients (12.3%) were responded to the drug treatment, and 107 patients (87.7%) were not responded. The significant differences were not revealed in genotype, and allele frequencies of between rs3758653 (C/T) and exon III 3’VNTR repeats polymorphisms of the DRD4 gene and responder and non-responder of ADHD groups to the drug treatment. Conclusions: The results showed that the reduction of ADHD symptoms with drug treatment is not related to DRD4 sub-types in patients with ADHD

Screening of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children aged 3 to 6 years and 11 month olds

BackgroundADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a multifactorial disorder, defined by hyperactivity, impulsivity and attention deficits. Symptoms of ADHD begins during early childhood and negatively affects functionality at various levels.AimsThis descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 to screen for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children aged 3 to 6 years, 11 months olds of Tabriz in Iran.MethodsA total of 737 children aged 36 months to 6 years, 11 months in Tabriz were randomly selected from kindergarten and preschool centres. Both the Conners Early Childhood-Parent and -Teacher forms were used to estimate the prevalence of ADHD.ResultsThe results indicated that the prevalence of ADHD was 337 (45.7 per cent) based on Conners EC-Parent, 416 (56.4 per cent) according to Conners EC-Teacher, and 225 (30.5 per cent) based on the both Conners EC-Teacher & Parent scales. The results of Fischer's exact test showed that the prevalence of ADHD in boys (n=117, 35.3 per cent) was significantly higher than that of the girls (n=108, 26.6 per cent) (p=0.01, X2=6.57). The results of Chi-square test indicated that there was no difference among different age groups in terms of the prevalence of ADHD (X2=2.86, p=0.41).ConclusionADHD screening based on the Conners EC-Teacher & Parent forms was estimated to be 30.5 per cent. The regional prevalence of ADHD appears to be greater among children under the age of 7, although the use of the new Conners EC tool in this study could have possibly affected the ADHD prevalence estimates

Study of Polymorphism of the DRD2 Gene (-141C Ins/Del, rs1799732) with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder a Population Sample of Children in Iranian-Azeri

BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is a multifactorial disorder and converging evidence has implicated abnormalities of dopamine neurotransmission. The aim of this study was to examine the association of -141 polymorphisms in DRD2 gene with ADHA among Iranian-Azeri population.Materials and Methods A case–control association study included 153 patients with attention deficit hyper activity disorder (case group), and 133 healthy subjects (control group). Genomic DNA was extracted peripheral blood samples by salting-out method. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was performed by Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. The data analysis was performed through Chi-square, with a significance level of 0.05.Results: There was not significant difference in the allele and genotype frequencies between ADHD and -141C Ins/Del polymorphism in cases and controls (P>0.05). Ins/Ins homozygous dominants were more frequent in control group than the case group, but there was not significant difference observed (P>0.05). Del/Del homozygous dominants were not observed. No significant difference was detected in the allele and genotype frequencies between ADHD and -141 Insertion/Deletion polymorphism in cases and control groups (P>0.05).ConclusionOur results do not detected association between the -141C Ins/Del, rs1799732, polymorphism and ADHD disorder in population of Children in Iranian-Azeri

The Association of DRD2 Gene TaqI Polymorphism with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder a Population Sample of Iranian Azeri-children

Background Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a multi-factorial disorder that has defined by hyperactivity, impulsivity and attention deficits. Various neurotransmitters such as dopamine can play a role in its pathophysiology. The aim of this study was to examine the association of two common single nucleotide polymorphisms in DRD2 gene, Taq I A (T/C) and Taq I B (G/A), with ADHA risk among Iranian-Azeri population. Materials and Methods A study of case–control association was performed with 89 samples with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 96 healthy subjects. Peripheral blood samples were used for Genomic DNA extraction by salting-out method. SNP genotyping was carried out by PCR-RFLP technique. The collected data were analyzed through javastant online statistics software, using Chi-square, with a significance level of 0.05. Results There was not a significant difference in the allele and genotype frequencies between ADHD and Taq1B polymorphism in cases and controls (P>0.05). In the Taq IA of DRD2 gene, TT homozygous dominants and CC homozygous recessives were more frequent in case group than in control group but significant difference was not observed (P>0.05). Also, T/C heterozygotes were more frequent among the control group than the case group, and difference was significant (

An Association Analysis of Reelin Gene (RELN) Exon 22 (G/C), Rs.362691, Polymorphism with Autism Spectrum Disorder among Iranian-Azeri Population

Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a intricate childhood neuropsychiatric disorder that is described by deficits in communication of verbal and non-verbal, reciprocal social interactions, stereotypic behaviors, interests, and activities. The studies of post-mortem neuro-anatomical anomalies have indicated that migration alterations could occur early during development (first trimester) in autistic brain. Since the Reelin gene, plays a crucial role in these migratory processes, it is subsequently considered as a potential candidate gene for autism. Materials and Methods In this case-control study, we recruited 74 patients with ASD and 88 healthy controls from Iranian-Azeri Population. Genomic DNA isolated from blood leukocytes of cases and control individuals by the proteinase K and using salt-out method. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Results The allele and genotype frequencies did not show significant difference between autistic and control groups (P>0.05). No significant relationship was observed between the genders and genotypes in autism group (P>0.05). Conclusion The current study showed that the SNPs rs362691 could not be used as a useful molecular biomarker to predict genetic susceptibility for ASD among Iranian-Azeri patients

Studying Association 48 bp Polymorphism of DRD4 Gene with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children from North West of Iran

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a multifactorial disorder that has defined by hyperactivity, impulsivity and attention deficits. Various neurotransmitters such as dopamine can play a role in its pathophysiology. The aim of this study was to examine the association of two common single nucleotid polymorphisms in DRD4 gene, a 48 bp VNTR polymorphism, with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder risk among Iranian-Azeri population. Materials and methods: case–control study was performed on 50 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 50 healthy ones. Peripheral blood samples were used for Genomic DNA extraction by proteinase K method. The collected data were analyzed through chi-square test (x2), with a significance level of 0.05. Results: considering the obtained results, there was a significant increase in 4/8 genotype frequency between two groups (p0.05). Conclusion: Our data confirmed the relationship between polymorphism of DRD4 and ADHD. Further studies with larger population of other groups will be required to explain the relationship between DRD4 polymorphism and the risk of ADH