It’s often said that ‘the eyes tell it all’, but no matter what their outward expression, the eyes may also be able to signal neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD & ASD, according to research from Flinders University and the University of South Australia.
In the first study of its kind, researchers found that recordings from the retina could identify distinct signals for both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) providing a potential biomarker for each condition.
Researchers used an ‘electroretinogram’ (ERG) to determine that children with ADHD showed higher overall ERG energy, whereas children with ASD showed less ERG energy.
The ‘electroretinogram is a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of the retina in response to a light stimulus –
Aiming for improved ADHD & ASD diagnoses
Research optometrist at Flinders University, Dr Paul Constable, says the preliminary findings indicate promising results for improved diagnoses and treatments in the future.
“ASD and ADHD are the most common neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed in childhood. But as they often share similar traits, making diagnoses for both conditions can be lengthy and complicated,” Dr Constable says.
“Our research aims to improve this. By exploring how signals in the retina react to light stimuli, we hope to develop more accurate and earlier diagnoses for different neurodevelopmental conditions.
Different signals for ADHD & ASD
“Retinal signals have specific nerves that generate them.
“If we can identify these differences and localize them to specific pathways that use different chemical signals that are also used in the brain, we can show distinct differences for children with ADHD and ASD and potentially other neurodevelopmental conditions.”
“This study delivers preliminary evidence for neurophysiological changes that not only differentiate both ADHD and ASD from typically developing children, but also evidence that they can be distinguished from each other based on ERG characteristics.”
According to the World Health Organization, one in 100 children has ASD, with 5 to 8 per cent of children diagnosed with ADHD.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by being overly active, struggling to pay attention, and difficulty controlling impulsive behaviors.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is also a neurodevelopmental condition where children behave, communicate, interact, and learn in ways that are different from most other people.
‘The eyes can reveal all’
Co-researcher and expert in human and artificial cognition at the University of South Australia, Dr Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos, says the research has potential to extend across other neurological conditions.
“Ultimately, we’re looking at how the eyes can help us understand the brain,” Dr Marmolejo-Ramos says.
“While further research is needed to establish abnormalities in retinal signals that are specific to these and other neurodevelopmental disorders, what we’ve observed so far shows that we are on the precipice of something amazing.
“It is truly a case of watching this space; as it happens, the eyes could reveal all.”
Ed. Note: This research was conducted in partnership with McGill University, University College London and the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
Reference
Constable PA, Marmolegjo-Ramos F, Gauthier M, Lee IO, Skuse DH, Thompson DA. Discrete Wavelet Transform Analysis of the Electroretinogram in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Front. Neurosci., 06 June 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.890461
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