Associations between T cells and attention problems in the general pediatric population: The Generation R study

• Published in: JCPP advances 2021-10, Vol.1 (3), p.e12038-n/a
• Main Authors: Looman, Kirsten I. M., Cecil, Charlotte A. M., Grosserichter‐Wagener, Christina, Kiefte‐de Jong, Jessica C., Zelm, Menno C., Moll, Henriëtte A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ADHD; Age; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; attention problems; B cell; Behavior; Children & youth; Cytokines; Disease; Hyperactivity; Immune system; Immunology; Lymphocytes; Original; Pathophysiology; Pediatrics; Questionnaires; Response rates; Software; T cell; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF
• ISSN: 2692-9384; 2692-9384
• DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12038

Objective The pathogenesis of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is currently unclear. We hypothesized that chronic immune activation, as indexed by T and B cells, plays a role in the pathophysiology of attention problems. Therefore, we examined T and B cell subsets in a general pediatric population with information on attention problems. Methods We included 756 10‐year‐old children from the Generation R population‐based cohort. Eleven‐color flow cytometry was performed on peripheral blood samples to determine T and B cell subsets. The Child Behavior Checklist rated by parents was used to measure attention problems. Data were analyzed using linear regression analyses, adjusting for maternal and child covariates and co‐occurring childhood psychopathology. Results For T helper 1 (Th1) cells, one standard deviation (SD) increase was associated with 5.3% (95%CI 0.3; 10.5) higher attention problem scores. Furthermore, 1SD increase in CD8+ T cells was associated with 7.5% (95%CI 2.4; 12.7) higher attention problem scores. Within total CD8+ T cells, 1SD increase in naive or central memory cells was associated with 6.9% (95%CI 2.0; 12.1) and 6.4% (95%CI 1.5; 11.6) higher attention problem scores, respectively. No associations between Th2, Treg or B memory cells and attention problem scores were observed. Conclusion Higher Th1 and cytotoxic T cell numbers are associated with higher attention problem scores independent of co‐occurring psychopathology. This might indicate a possible role of a pro‐inflammatory immune profile in childhood attention problems. Attention problems have been associated with inflammatory diseases previously, however the exact underlying pathophysiology of ADHD is unclear. This study shows increased T helper 1 and CD8+ total, CD8+ naive, CD8+ central memory numbers in children from a general pediatric population with higher attention problem scores independent of other childhood neurodevelopmental problems.