Cytokine Levels and Neuropsychological Function among Patients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Atopic Diseases

Since atopic disease and inflammatory cytokines are both involved in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in this study, we examined the relationship among cytokine levels, neuropsychological function, and behavioral manifestations in patients with ADHD and atopic diseases. Participants were categorized into individuals with ADHD and atopic disease (n = 41), those with ADHD without allergy (n = 74), individuals without ADHD but with allergy (n = 23), and those without ADHD or allergy (n = 49). We used the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham IV Scale (SNAP-IV), Conners’ Continuous Performance Test (Conners CPT), and Conners’ Continuous Auditory Test of Attention (CATA) to assess patients’ behavioral symptoms, visual attention, and auditory attention, respectively. Participants’ IFN-γ, IL-1B, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, MCP-1, and TNF-α plasma levels were assessed using multiplex assays. We found that the prevalence rates of atopic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis) were similar between individuals with ADHD and those without ADHD. ADHD behavioral symptoms (SNAP-IV), CPT omission scores, and CATA detectability scores demonstrated significant differences between individuals with ADHD and those without ADHD, regardless of atopic diseases. However, plasma levels of cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17) were negatively correlated with inattention symptoms. This study demonstrates a potential relationship between cytokine levels and neuropsychological function among patients with ADHD and atopic diseases.