Cytokines and soluble adhesion molecules in children and adolescents with a tic disorder

Aim: Dysregulation of the immune system may play a role in tic disorders. We screened for immune disturbances by investigating serum levels of cytokines and soluble adhesion molecules in patients with a tic disorder.

Methods: Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL2R), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (IFN)-gamma, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) of 66 children and adolescents with a tic disorder and 71 healthy volunteers were compared. We also addressed possible relations between concentrations of the immune markers and severity of tics and comorbid obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Results: Median serum concentrations did not differ significantly between patients and healthy subjects. Serum IL-2 concentrations were positively associated with tic severity ratings; serum IL-12 concentrations negatively with severity ratings of obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Conclusions: These preliminary findings do not reveal major immune activation in children with a tic disorder but may suggest more subtle disturbances related to disease expression. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.