Eye Electrical Activity May Predict Neurodevelopmental Disorders

 

Eye Electrical Activity May Predict Neurodevelopmental Disorders

According to recent research from Flinders University and the University of South Australia, the eyes may be able to detect neurodevelopmental problems such as ASD and ADHD regardless of their external appearance.

Researchers discovered that recordings from the retina may distinguish unique signals for both ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the first study of its kind, providing a potential biomarker for each illness.

Researchers discovered that children with ADHD had higher total ERG energy, whereas children with ASD had lower ERG energy, using the 'electroretinogram' (ERG), a diagnostic test that monitors the electrical activity of the retina in response to a light stimulus.

Dr Paul Constable, a research optometrist at Flinders University, says the preliminary findings point to positive results for future diagnostics and treatments.

"The most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders identified in children are autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)." However, because they often have similar characteristics, diagnosing both illnesses can be time-consuming and difficult, according to Dr. Constable.

"The goal of our research is to improve this." We intend to develop more accurate and early diagnoses for various neurodevelopmental problems by studying how signals in the retina react to light stimulation.

"Retinal signals are generated by specific nerves, so if we can identify these differences and link 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, as well as possibly other neurodevelopmental disorders."

"Not only does this work provide preliminary evidence for neurophysiological changes that distinguish ADHD and ASD from typically developing children, but it also provides evidence that they can be discriminated from one another based on ERG features."

According to the World Health Organization, one out of every 100 children has ASD, with ADHD affecting 5-8 percent of those youngsters.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by excessive activity, difficulties paying attention, and impulsive behaviour control. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental illness in which children act, talk, interact, and learn differently than the majority of people.

Dr Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos, a co-researcher and expert in human and artificial cognition at the University of South Australia, believes the study might be applied to other neurological diseases.

"At the end of the day," Dr. Marmolejo-Ramos explains, "we're looking at how the eyes may assist us comprehend the brain."

"While further research is needed to identify abnormalities in retinal signals that are particular to this and other neurodevelopmental disorders, everything we've seen so far indicates that we're on the verge of something truly remarkable."

"It's certainly a case of keeping an eye on this region; as it occurs, the eyes may tell everything."

Constable PA, Marmolejo-Ramos F, Gauthier M, Lee IO, Skuse DH, Thompson DA are cited as sources. Electroretinogram analysis using the discrete wavelet transform in autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.890461. Front Neurosci. 2022;16. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.890461.

The following materials were used to create this article. Note that the content and duration of the material may have been modified. Please contact the listed source for more information.