Neurotransmitter Levels in Children With Specific Learning Disorder

Biochemical and Docking Evidence of Neurotransmitter Dysregulation in Specific Learning Disorder

The aim of this clinical trial was to measure how specific neurotransmitter levels in children with Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) change compared to controls. The relationship between these markers and the measured markers will be determined both theoretically and experimentally using various neuropsychological tests. The fundamental questions it aims to answer are

Did neurotransmitter levels increase or decrease in the patient group? Are the neurotransmitter levels measured in the neuropsychological tests related? Can the measured neurotransmitters be used to predict the disease?

Participants:

A single visit to the clinic, a blood sample, and neuropsychological tests will be administered on the same day.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the levels in serum of key neurotransmitters and their precursors (glutamate, L-arginine, and nitric oxide) in children with SLD and also to integrate these biochemical results with molecular docking analyses of their interactions with phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and N-methyl D-aspartate receptors (NMDA), both of which play significant roles in learning function in these patients.

The research group consisted of 20 children aged 7-14 years who had been diagnosed with SLD using DSM-5 criteria, as well as 20 age-matched, gender-matched, and educationally matched healthy controls. The children in the study group underwent the Stroop Test [Total Error Scores, Total Time Scores, Total Correction] and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) subtests, and the results were scored. The serum concentrations of glutamate, L-arginine, and nitric oxide (NO) were determined using ELISA. The diagnostic ability of the biomarkers was evaluated using ROC analysis. Additionally, the interactions of glutamate and L-arginine with the PLA2 enzyme and the NMDA receptor were examined using molecular docking analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Study group: no additional mental disorder except a specific learning disability,
• The control group had no mental illness.
• Having no head injury or neurological illness for all groups.
• There is no drug that might possibly alter cognitive functions for all populations.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The study group had a mental disease other than a specific learning disability and ADHD.
• The control group had any mental condition.
• Having a head injury or neurological illness in all categories.
• Using drugs that may impair cognitive functioning in all groups those with additional diseases