Evaluation of oxidative metabolism in adult attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Aim: Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (A-ADHD) is one of the psychiatric disorders which awareness is growing. The exact causes of A-ADHD still unknown, in addition to neurochemical and neuroanatomic disorders, genetic and environmental factors are discussed in etiology. In our study we aimed to evaluate the oxidative metabolism?s status and investigate whether oxidative metabolites can be used as diagnostic tools or not in A-ADHD. Method: Blood samples were taken from enrolled subjects in appropriate way and Total Antioxidant Status (TAS), Total Oxidant Status (TOS), and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) were studied in Harran University Biochemistry Labs. Results were compared between groups and ROC curve was drawn in order to evaluate diagnostic performances. Results: There was not a significant difference between comorbid cases and only AADHD patients in terms of measured values but patients? TAS, TOS and OSİ were significantly higher than controls. A-ADHD can be predicted for TAS over 2.1855 ?mol Trolox Eqv./L level with 80% sensitivity and %100 specificity; TOS over 9.8575 ?mol H2O2 Eqv. / L level with 86% sensitivity and %100 specificity; and OSİ over 6.0216 with 70% sensitivity and 100% specificity Discussion: In A-ADHD, oxidative balance is impaired. High antioxidant levels may be compensatory increase against oxidant increase. Oxidative parameters may be used in A-ADHD diagnosis.