Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, free testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin on susceptibility to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

The neuroendocrine system may affect the pathophysiology of gender differences in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study examines whether the relationships among dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), free testosterone, or sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and ADHD presentations exhibit gender differences. A total of 113 boys and 35 girls with ADHD (all drug naïve) and 46 and 26 healthy control boys and girls, respectively, were recruited. Blood samples were obtained to measure the serum levels of DHEA-S, free testosterone, and SHBG in each child. The Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Scale for ADHD Version IV (SNAP-IV) was used to evaluate behavioral symptoms and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) and the Conners’ Continuous Performance Test (CPT) were utilized to assess neurocognitive functions. Patients with ADHD had lower DHEA-S levels than male and female healthy control subjects, and no significant differences were observed in free testosterone and SHBG levels between the patients and the controls. DHEA-S levels were negatively correlated with children’s impulsivity performance in the CPT. SHBG levels were negatively correlated with ADHD behavior symptoms among boys. Free testosterone levels were not significantly correlated with either ADHD clinical symptoms or neuropsychological functions. We propose that DHEA-S serves as a potential biomarker of ADHD and is consistently involved in the pathogenesis of ADHD in both boys and girls. SHBG may be involved in behaviors associated with ADHD in boys. Additional studies with basic scientific measures are warranted to elucidate the relationship between androgen hormones and clinical presentations of ADHD.