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Serum Biomarkers to Mild Cognitive Deficits in Children and Adolescents

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Abstract

Intellectual disability (ID) is a condition characterized by significant limitations in both cognitive development and adaptive behavior. The diagnosis is made through clinical assessment, standardized tests, and intelligence quotient (IQ). Genetic, inflammation, oxidative stress, and diet have been suggested to contribute to ID, and biomarkers could potentially aid in diagnosis and treatment. Study included children and adolescents aged 6–16 years. The ID group (n = 16) and the control group (n = 18) underwent the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) test, and blood samples were collected. Correlations between biomarker levels and WISC-IV test scores were analyzed. The ID group had an IQ score below 75, and the values of four domains (IQ, IOP, IMO, and IVP) were lower compared to the control group. Serum levels of FKN, NGF-β, and vitamin B12 were decreased in the ID group, while DCFH and nitrite levels were increased. Positive correlations were found between FKN and the QIT and IOP domains, NGF and the QIT and IMO domains, and vitamin B12 and the ICV domain. TNF-α showed a negative correlation with the ICV domain. Our study identified FKN, NGF-β, and vitamin B12 as potential biomarkers specific to ID, which could aid in the diagnosis and treatment of ID. TNF-α and oxidative stress biomarkers suggest that ID has a complex etiology, and further research is needed to better understand this condition and develop effective treatments. Future studies could explore the potential implications of these biomarkers and develop targeted interventions based on their findings.

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Data Availability

Data supporting this study are not publicly available due to privacy of subjects. Please contact alexandrep.muller@gmail.com to access the data.

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Funding

This work was supported by grants from FAPESC-PPSUS 2016, CNPq-Universal 2018, and UNESC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciuma, SC, Brazil

    Lisiane Tuon, Isis Custódio, Vitor Hugo Comim, Barbara Costa & Lariani Tamires Witt Tietbohl

  2. Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

    Natalia Santos Tramontin & Alexandre Pastoris Muller

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

    Alexandre Pastoris Muller

  4. Post-Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

    Alexandre Pastoris Muller

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  1. Lisiane Tuon
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  2. Natalia Santos Tramontin
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  3. Isis Custódio
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  4. Vitor Hugo Comim
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Contributions

Lisiane Tuon, conceptualized and designed the study, performed the WISC-IV and wrote the manuscript; Natalia Santos Tramontin, organization of experiments, blood analysis and data analysis, critically reviewed and revised the manuscript for important intellectual content; Isis Custódio, data analysis and wrote the manuscript; Vitor Hugo Comim, data analysis and wrote the manuscript; Barbara Costa blood analysis and data analysis, critically reviewed and revised the manuscript for important intellectual content; Lariani Tamires Witt Tietbohl, blood analysis and data analysis, critically reviewed and revised the manuscript for important intellectual content; Alexandre Pastoris Muller, conceptualized and designed the study, blood and data analysis, and wrote the manuscript.

All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

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Correspondence to Alexandre Pastoris Muller.

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The project was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, based on Resolution 466/12 of the National Health Council.

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Tuon, L., Tramontin, N.S., Custódio, I. et al. Serum Biomarkers to Mild Cognitive Deficits in Children and Adolescents. Mol Neurobiol 60, 7080–7087 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-023-03536-z

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