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Cited by 203Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderAntioxidant Activity and Oxidative StressParkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments

Oxidative Stress and ADHD: A Meta-Analysis

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Joseph, Nidhin, Zhang-James, Yanli, Perl, Andras, Faraone, Stephen V.·2015·Journal of Attention Disorders
DOI 10.1177/1087054713510354PMC PMC5293138
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Abstract

Objective: To clarify the role of oxidative stress and antioxidant activity in ADHD. Method: We examined the association of ADHD and oxidative stress by applying random effects meta-analysis to studies of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in medication naive patients with ADHD and controls. Results: Six studies of a total of 231 ADHD patients and 207 controls met our selection criteria. The association between ADHD and antioxidant status was not significant. We found a significant association between ADHD and oxidative stress that could not be accounted for by publication bias. The significant association lost significance after correcting for intrastudy clustering. No one observation accounted for the positive result. Conclusion: These results are preliminary given the small number of studies. They suggest that patients with ADHD have normal levels of antioxidant production, but that their response to oxidative stress is insufficient, leading to oxidative damage.

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  • A meta-analysis found elevated levels of oxidative stress in patients diagnosed with ADHD.

    “The same review did find evidence suggesting a role for inflammation in the pathogenesis of ADHD (266), which is consistent with a meta-analysis finding elevated levels of oxidative stress in patients diagnosed with ADHD (267).”

    From The pharmacology of amphetamine and methylphenidate: Relevance to the neurobiology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other psychiatric comorbidities (2018) · cites this paper as [267]

    The Abstract Results report an association between ADHD and oxidative stress, and the Discussion describes modest evidence of increased oxidative stress in ADHD patients. The claim omits an important qualification: the association lost statistical significance after correction for intrastudy clustering, and the authors call the evidence preliminary. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Patients with ADHD present an ineffective oxidative stress response.

    “Among the molecular processes involved, it has been shown that patients with ADHD present an ineffective oxidative stress response [125].”

    From Molecular Characterisation of the Mechanism of Action of Stimulant Drugs Lisdexamfetamine and Methylphenidate on ADHD Neurobiology: A Review (2022) · cites this paper as [125]

    The Abstract’s Conclusion says the results are preliminary because few studies were available and suggests that patients with ADHD have an insufficient response to oxidative stress. The Discussion likewise presents this as a possibility. The claim captures the proposed response but overstates the evidence by saying it 'has been shown.' (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Canonical inflammation mediators, such as IL-1B and TNF, are induced in MPH treatment, suggesting a potential immunomodulatory role for the drug, although the evidence does not readily support it.

    “Interestingly, canonical inflammation mediators, such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1B) and TNF are induced in MPH treatment, suggesting a potential immunomodulatory role for the drug, although the evidence does not readily support it.”

    From Molecular Characterisation of the Mechanism of Action of Stimulant Drugs Lisdexamfetamine and Methylphenidate on ADHD Neurobiology: A Review (2022) · cites this paper as [125]

    The Discussion describes stimulant treatment in relation to oxidative stress, but does not address whether methylphenidate induces IL-1B or TNF or has an immunomodulatory role. Searches for those mediators and for inflammatory cytokines induced by methylphenidate found no passage addressing the claim. (LLM, conf=0.75)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Joseph, N., Zhang-James, Y., Perl, A., & Faraone, S. V.
Affiliations
  • SUNY Upstate Medical University (US)
  • State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA
Corresponding author
Faraone, Stephen V.
ORCID
Faraone, Stephen V.
Venue
Journal of Attention Disorders
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2013-11-14
Volume
19
Issue
11
Pages
915-924
ISSN
  • 1087-0547 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-1246
DOI
10.1177/1087054713510354
PMC
PMC5293138
OpenAlex
W2088786819
Cited by
203
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 3
FWCI
5.21
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Attention Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (R21AI061066, R01AI048079, R01AI122176, R01AI072648)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK049221, R01DK078922)
  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R34AR068052)
  • National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (R01AT004332)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
Keywords
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oxidative stress, antioxidant status, antioxidant activity, oxidative damage, drug-naive patients
MeSH terms
Antioxidants, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Female, Humans, Male, Oxidative Stress

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