Niacin skin test response in dyslexia

Journal article

The niacin skin test reflects a flush and oedema owing to the production of prostoglandin D2 from arachidonic acid. A diminished response may indicate abnormalities in the phospholipid metabolism, which has been shown in schizophrenia. There is evidence that dyslexia might also involved phospholipid abnormalities, therefore we examined the skin response in 51 dyslexics and 45 controls. Four concentrations of aqueous methyl nicotinate were applied topically to the forearm. Flushing was rated using a seven-point scale at 3 min intervals over 21 minutes. Repeated measures ANOVA for the four concentrations across all seven time-points showed no significant effect of subject group, but when analyses were confined to the first 9 min, flushing was reduced in dyslexics. Significant group differences were also found for the lowest niacin concentration (0.0001 M) across six out of seven time-points. The results indicate a slightly reduced and delayed response to niacin in dyslexics.

Authors: Cyhlarova, E; Montgomery, P; Ross, M; Richardson, A

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer
• Journal: Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids
• Volume: 77
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 123-128
• Publication date: 2007-08-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2007.08.005
• ISSN: 0952-3278
• Language: English
• Keywords: dyslexia
• Subjects: Medical sciences