Neurotrophic Factor and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in A Sample of Egyptian Children

Abstract

SUMMARY A ttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) one of the most studied mental health disorders which expresses itself in childhood. The principal signs of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are based on a detailed history of a child's early developmental patterns along with direct observation of the child, especially in situations that require sustained attention. ADHD is characterized by pervasive and impairing symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD has a complex etiology consisting of multiple genetic and environmental factors acting together to create a spectrum of neurobiological liability. Brain derived neurotrophic factor is one of the well-known neurotrophins, It is the most abundant and widely distributed one in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). It plays a key role in the growth and maintenance of several neuronal systems, serves as a neurotransmitter modulator, and participates in mechanisms of neuronalplasticity, such as long-term potentiation and learning. Some reports and several lines of evidence suggest that BDNF plays a role in the pathophysiology of ADHD.