Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos
05:32

Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos

Published on: December 7, 2018

Early social gaze fixation and later inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms in children: A longitudinal

Masatsugu Orui1,2,3, Mami Ishikuro2,3, Taku Obara2,3,4

  • 1International Research, Institute of Disaster Science Tohoku University Sendai Japan.

PCN Reports : Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
|July 24, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Early reduced social gaze in boys at age 4 is linked to later attention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms. This suggests potential neurodevelopmental vulnerability and behavioral issues in children.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Child psychology
  • Eye-tracking research

Background:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is associated with altered gaze patterns.
  • Understanding early behavioral markers is crucial for identifying neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if early gaze patterns linked to ASD predict later inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms.
  • To determine if these gaze patterns indicate broader neurodevelopmental vulnerability.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study using data from the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study.
  • Gaze fixation on social stimuli at age 4 measured using Gazefinder® in 6571 children.
  • Association with inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms at age 8 analyzed in 3043 children using ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS).

Main Results:

  • In boys, reduced social gaze at age 4 significantly correlated with higher inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity scores at age 8.
  • No significant associations were found in girls in primary analyses, but some emerged after statistical adjustments.
  • Eye-tracking data revealed sex-specific differences in the association between early social gaze and later behavioral symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Early reduced social gaze may be an indicator of broader neurodevelopmental vulnerability.
  • Altered social gaze patterns in early childhood are associated with later attention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms.
  • Findings highlight the potential of eye-tracking for identifying children at risk for neurodevelopmental and behavioral challenges.
Abstract

Keywords:
ADHDASDGazefinder®eye‐trackinginattentionlongitudinal

More Related Videos

Gaze in Action: Head-mounted Eye Tracking of Children's Dynamic Visual Attention During Naturalistic Behavior07:09

Gaze in Action: Head-mounted Eye Tracking of Children's Dynamic Visual Attention During Naturalistic Behavior

Published on: November 14, 2018

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism09:03

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism

Published on: March 27, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development01:14

Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development

The sensorimotor stage, the initial phase of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, spans the first two years of a child's life. During this period, infants actively engage with their surroundings, building cognitive awareness through direct interaction with the world. This interaction is primarily based on sensory perception and motor actions, allowing infants to gradually understand basic physical properties and predict how objects interact within their environment.
Exploration...