RESUMO
Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have quite complicated etiology. The relationship between ADHD and immune and oxidative imbalances is discussed in current researches investigating the pathophysiology of ADHD. The aim of the study is to determine whether heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) has a potential role in pathophysiologic mechanisms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Methods: This study included 41 children that were diagnosed with ADHD and 32 typically developing children. Conners' Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS) was used to evaluate ADHD presentation and severity. Additionally, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was used to evaluate serum HSP70 level. Results: We have detected that the serum HSP70 levels of children with ADHD were lower than the typically developing group (p<0.01). No relationship was determined between HSP70 levels and either the severity of ADHD or predominantly ADHD presentations (p>0.05). Conclusion: With these findings, it can be proposed that HSP70 might have a crucial role in the etiological mechanisms of ADHD. Moreover, these changes in peripheral blood may have therapeutic and/or diagnostic value. However, more detailed prospective studies are needed to explain the link between ADHD and heat shock proteins.
