Comparison of clinical and cognitive characteristics of a Mexican adult clinical population with and without ADHD

Introduction. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting approximately 5% of the world population, with symptoms that may persist into adulthood. Despite the findings on the clinical course of this disorder, information regarding comorbidity patterns, psychosocial and executive functioning in adult life in those with and without ADHD in Latin American samples is scarce. Objective. The aim of this study is to compare the comorbidity pattern, psychosocial, and executive functioning of adults with and without ADHD from a clinical sample. Method. One hundred and fifty-one patients between 20 and 45 years, with screened positively on ASRS-V1.1, were invited to continue an evaluation process as part of clinical research program (PROMETEO): 1) K-SADS-PL Mx interview, 2) MINI-Plus interview, ASRS-V1-1 18 item version, BRIEF self-reported questionnaire, SCQA-ADHD, and 3) Individual case review by clinical expert in ADHD. Results. Individuals in the ADHD group had a higher average of comorbid disorders (2.5 SD 1.1 vs. 1.3 SD 1.0 respectively, F = .439; t = -6.621; df = 149; p < .001), more likelihood of procrastinating (OR = 6.5; 95% CI[2.6, 16.2]; z = 4.0) and were more likely to present difficulties in both the behavior regulation index (OR = 104.9; 95% CI[31.8, 345.7]; z = 7.65) and the metacognitive index (OR = 94.79; 95% CI[29.10, 308.76]; z = 7.56) compared to the non-ADHD group, regardless of gender. Discussion and conclusions. Our results indicate that the ADHD adult group presented with more comorbidity, and worse psychosocial and executive functioning than non-ADHD adults.

LED fluorescence spectroscopy for direct determination of monoamine oxidase B inactivation

In this work, we report an alternative assay for the determination of the inhibitory effect on monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) activity of probe compounds. Enzyme MAO-B exhibits fluorescence emissions when it is excited at 412 nm. Using an inexpensive blue LED-like excitation source, we measured the quenching of fluorescence intensity of MAO-B enzyme during the reaction with inhibitors. The applicability of the procedure is demonstrated by assays with l-deprenyl and berberine as inhibitors through the use of fluorescence studies. The IC(50) values of l-deprenyl and berberine were 0.04 and 90 microM, respectively. The K(I) values were 0.020 and 47 microM for l-deprenyl and berberine, respectively. These IC(50) and K(I) values were similar to the values obtained with a standard method. These results demonstrate the feasibility of this method as an alternative to follow the inhibitory effect on MAO-B.