OBIND
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Ocular Biomarkers in Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Exploring eye vergence, eye structure and function in childhood attention deficit hyperactivity and other neurodevelopmental disorders
IRAS ID
244257
Contact name
Michael Absoud
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guy's & St Thomas' Foundation NHS Trust, R&D Department
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
We primarily aim to identify the utility of eye vergence, an eye tracking measure, as an indicator of visuo-spatial attention processing in children aged 4-15 years (measured by using computerised eye-tracking tasks). Eye vergence is a fixational binocular eye movement involved in depth perception that has recently been associated with attentional and cortical control processes and symptoms of ADHD. By working with a group of children with a range of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), recruited from the Newcomen Centre, St Thomas' Hospital, we plan to investigate eye vergence in relation to diagnostic and dimensional categories and to potentially identify subgroups of children with specific/overlapping attentional differences. By exploring underlying cognitive mechanisms we ultimately intend to assist early identification of specific attention deficits in order to develop targeted treatment response.
In addition, we aim to determine if there are readily identifiable structural and functional differences in the processing of visual information in NDDs. We will use retinal imaging (optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus photographs) to measure thickness of the retinal layers and the optic nerve cup-to-disc (C/D) ratio. We will also explore retinal functioning using a handheld, full-field electroretinogram (ERG).
We will compare neuropsychological and behavioural data gathered during routine clinic sessions with neurophysiological data collected through eye tracking, retinal imaging and ERG in a large clinical sample of children aged 4-15 with NDDs. The neuropsychological measures used during routine clinic are well established and validated. We will examine modulation of eye-vergence, scan path, fixation times and pupil size in a battery of eye-tracking tasks that elicit different attentional processes, including orienting, disengaging, inhibiting and sustaining attention. These tasks will be adapted from a battery developed by Braingaze, the collaborating organization, and from validated eye tracking tasks.
REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1948
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jan 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion