en Clinical Medicine Clinical Medicine مقاله پژوهشی Original Research Article <p><span style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b><span style="background:#2d7f8f"><span style="color:white">Background & Objective:</span></span><b> </b></b><span style="color:black">Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are prevalent neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by cognitive, behavioral, and social impairments. Both disorders may involve disturbances in catecholamine regulation and trace element homeostasis. This study evaluated serum norepinephrine levels and selected trace elements (zinc, iron, magnesium, and copper) in children with ASD or ADHD compared with healthy controls in Thi-Qar Governorate, Iraq.</span><br> <b><span style="background:#2d7f8f"><span style="color:white"><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">&nbsp;Materials & Methods:</span></span></span></b> <span style="color:black"><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">A case-control study was conducted between January 2024 and February 2025 and included 170 children aged 3 to 13 years: 55 with ASD, 60 with ADHD, and 55 healthy controls. Blood samples were obtained at the Autism Center in Thi-Qar Governorate and Shatra General Hospital under specialist supervision, following standard collection protocols. Serum norepinephrine and mineral concentrations were analyzed using validated biochemical methods.</span></span><br> <b><span lang="EN-IN"><span style="background:#2d7f8f"><span style="color:white">Results: </span></span></span>&nbsp;</b><span style="color:black"><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">Children with ASD and ADHD demonstrated significantly elevated norepinephrine levels compared with controls (<i>P</i> <0.05). Concentrations of zinc, iron, and magnesium were significantly reduced (<i>P</i> <0.05), whereas copper levels were markedly increased in both clinical groups relative to healthy participants.</span></span><br> <b><span style="background:#2d7f8f"><span style="color:white">Conclusion: </span></span>&nbsp;</b><span style="color:black">The findings indicate notable neurochemical and mineral alterations in children with ASD and ADHD. These results underscore the potential diagnostic value of norepinephrine and trace elements as biochemical markers and suggest the need for targeted nutritional and therapeutic interventions.</span></span></span></p> Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Norepinephrine, Trace Elements, Zinc, Magnesium, Copper, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder 284 292 http://journal.zums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-7398-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Haider M. Kazem haidar.mohsen@utq.edu.iq 5200319475328460087450 0009-0003-8233-0379 Yes Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Thi-Qar, Thi-Qar, 64001, Iraq Hadeel R. Faraj hadeal.r_chem@sci.utq.edu.iq 5200319475328460087451 5200319475328460087451 No Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Thi-Qar, Thi-Qar, 64001, Iraq Tariq K. Hussein tarek.kh@utq.edu.iq 5200319475328460087452 5200319475328460087452 No Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Thi-Qar, Thi-Qar, 64001, Iraq