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Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Children With ADHD.
Arzu Hergüner1, İsmail Alpfidan1, Ahmet Yar1
11 Konya Training and Research Hospital, Turkey.
Journal of Attention Disorders
|August 19, 2016
Summary
Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) show reduced nasal retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. This finding suggests potential retinal indicators of neurodevelopmental differences in ADHD.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.
- Ocular biomarkers are increasingly explored for neurological conditions.
- Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness is a measure of optic nerve health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare RNFL thickness, macular thickness, and macular volume in children with ADHD versus controls.
- To investigate potential retinal structural differences associated with ADHD.
Main Methods:
- Spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used to measure retinal parameters.
- Participants included children diagnosed with ADHD and age/gender-matched controls.
- ADHD symptom severity was assessed using validated parent-report scales.
Main Results:
- Children with ADHD exhibited significantly lower nasal RNFL thickness compared to controls.
- No significant differences were found in other RNFL quadrants, macular thickness, or macular volume.
- A negative correlation was observed between RNFL thickness and ADHD symptom severity.
Conclusions:
- This study is the first to examine RNFL thickness in pediatric ADHD.
- Reduced nasal RNFL thickness in ADHD may indicate fewer unmyelinated axons.
- Findings suggest retinal changes reflect cortical maturation lags in ADHD.
