Scientists Find a Subtle Clue to ADHD Hidden in The Eyes
A tell-tale sign?
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Researchers exploring new ways to identify attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have turned their focus to an unexpected source: the human eye. A recent study suggests that subtle changes in pupil size and behavior may reveal differences in how children with ADHD process attention compared to their peers without the condition.
Scientists from India’s Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi analyzed eye-tracking data from 50 children between ages 10 and 12 who participated in a memory-based task. Participants watched dots appear on a grid, attempted to recall their positions, and made decisions after seeing distraction images. While the task was straightforward, the researchers measured pupil responses with remarkable precision—1,000 measurements per second. They discovered that children with unmedicated ADHD showed approximately 23 percent greater variability in pupil responses across different trials compared to control participants.
The findings take on additional significance when medication enters the picture. When children with ADHD took methylphenidate, their pupil responses became more stable and resembled those of control participants. However, researchers emphasize caution in interpreting these results, noting that the medication may directly affect pupil physiology rather than solely improving attention.
While promising, the technique remains far from clinical application. The researchers stress that larger studies across diverse environments would be necessary before eye tracking could supplement traditional ADHD assessments. Currently, diagnosis relies on medical evaluations, behavioral observations, and personal history rather than any single biological test.
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Originally reported by Sciencealert →
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