Retinal scan may help differentiate ADHD from ASD, research shows

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are the most common neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed in childhood. While the two are different conditions, their symptoms overlap making it quite difficult to differentiate between them. Now, in a novel study, researchers from the University of South Australia and Flinders University have found that recordings from the human retina can give distinct signals for both disorders.

“ASD and ADHD are the most common neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed in childhood. But as they often share similar symptoms, making a diagnosis for both conditions can be lengthy and complicated. Our research aims to improve this in the retina. By exploring how signals respond to light stimuli in the U.S., we hope to develop more accurate and earlier diagnoses for various neurodevelopmental conditions.” Told Dr Paul Constable, a research optometrist at Flinders University. Dr. Constable is also the author of study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience,

The team used an electroretinogram (ERG), a diagnostic test to measure the electrical activity of the retina in response to a light stimulus. In their study, they found that children with ADHD showed an overall higher level of ERG energy, while children with ASD showed lower ERG energy.

Constable explained that retinal signals are generated by specific nerves and that identifying differences in them could help him shed light on the differences between children with ADHD and children with ASD. They said their study provides preliminary evidence for neurophysiological changes that not only help differentiate ADHD from ASD but also that this can be done using ERG diagnostics.

“Ultimately, we are looking at how the eyes can help us understand the brain,” said Dr Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos, an expert in human and artificial cognition at the University of South Australia. He is also a co-researcher in the study.