Tau protein hyperphosphorylation in children with cerebral palsy with sleep disorders

Abstract

Aims: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between sleep disorder and serum tau protein levels in children with cerebral palsy. Methods: The sample was selected among children aged 6-10 years who applied to our physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic. In order to evaluate sleep quality, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire was recorded by asking parents of all participants. Children with CP who had a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index value above 5 were determined as the sleep disorder group. We recruited 27 children with CP and sleep disorders in the first patient group (Group 1), 27 children with CP but without sleep disorders in the second group (Group 2). The third group (Group 3), which was the healthy group, included 27 children without any disease. We also recorded the age of children at diagnosis, risk factors for CP (premature, prolonged birth, etc.), CP type, gross motor function classification system (GMFCS), botox application, orthoses usage, maternal age at birth, and additional problems. We measured total tau protein (T-tau) and phosphorylated tau protein (P-tau) levels in blood samples through a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlation between tau protein and PSQI values was examined. Results: Maternal age (p=0.001), gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) (p=0.001), and pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) (p=0.001) were significantly higher in the group with sleep disorders. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of serum T-Tau and P-tau protein levels (T-tau p=0.003, P-tau p=0.004). In the group sleep disorders, PSQI was significantly correlated with T-tau (r=0.499) and P-tau (r=0.473). Conclusion: This study shows that tau protein levels are higher in CP patients with sleep disorders than in participants without sleep disorders. In the correlation analyzes, a positive and significant correlation was observed between PSQI values and T-tau and P-tau in sleep disorders groups, and no correlation was found in without sleep disorders.