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Early visual processing in adults with ADHD: evidence from contrast sensitivity, spatial integration, and external
Hani Ifrah-Tsruya1, Maria Lev1, Uri Polat1
1School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Israel.
Vision Research
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) show lower contrast sensitivity, particularly with high spatial frequencies and short durations. Visual processing differences in ADHD appear selective, not affecting noise exclusion.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often viewed as an executive function disorder.
- Emerging evidence indicates potential atypicalities in early sensory processing in individuals with ADHD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate contrast sensitivity and noise processing in adults with and without ADHD.
- To determine if visual processing differences in ADHD are specific to certain conditions.
Main Methods:
- Contrast sensitivity was measured across spatial frequencies and stimulus durations in 45 adults (21 with ADHD, 24 controls).
- The impact of stimulus size on contrast sensitivity was examined.
- Perceptual noise exclusion was assessed at varying noise levels and durations.
Main Results:
- The ADHD group exhibited overall lower contrast sensitivity compared to controls.
- Reduced spatial integration was observed in the ADHD group at short stimulus durations (40 ms) when stimulus size increased.
- No significant group differences were found in perceptual noise exclusion.
Conclusions:
- Visual processing differences in ADHD are selective, primarily affecting the integration of high spatial frequency information under specific temporal conditions.
- Findings suggest that early visual processing, particularly spatial integration, may be an area of difference in ADHD.
- Perceptual noise exclusion appears to be a robust visual function unaffected by ADHD in this study.
Keywords:
ADHDAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderContrast sensitivityNoiseSpatial integrationVisual processingMore Related Videos
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