Scientists Find a Subtle Clue to ADHD Hidden in The Eyes
Researchers are investigating whether subtle fluctuations in pupil diameter can serve as a diagnostic biomarker for ADHD in children. By analyzing eye-tracking data during memory tasks, the study suggests that inconsistent pupil responses may correlate with the neurodevelopmental disorder.
Why it matters
Developing objective, physiological markers for ADHD could significantly improve diagnostic accuracy and move beyond subjective behavioral assessments.
Add ScienceAlert on Google (Valeriia Kuznetsova/iStock/Getty Images) The eyes are said to be windows to the soul. Scientists now suspect they might offer a glimpse of something else, too: the rhythm of our attention.
The clue is not necessarily in where we look. It may be hidden in tiny changes in the pupils as the brain tries to remember something, ignore a distraction, or make a decision.
A new study suggests this rhythm may be subtly different in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ).
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder involving persistent difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. Yet attention does not work like a light switch . It can hold steady one moment and wander the next.
There is no single test for ADHD . Diagnosis combines medical assessments, personal history, and observations of behavior in different settings.
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