Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Exploring Eye Vergence Markers ADHD) and ASD

This research is exploring how eye movements, specifically how your eyes work together for depth perception (called 'eye vergence'), might be linked to attention in people with ADHD and ASD. We're asking both children and adults to complete eye-tracking tasks on a computer. The aim is to understand if certain eye movements can help us identify different attention patterns in these conditions. We're also checking if artificial intelligence (AI) can improve how we measure symptoms and even testing if a smartphone camera can accurately track eye movements, making future assessments easier. This study isn't about testing a new device for treatment but about gaining basic knowledge to help with earlier detection and better support in the future.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

Elizabeth Kilbey

Enrolment target

200

Start

01 Feb 2025

Estimated completion

31 Jan 2027

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

What is this study about?

This study is all about understanding how your eyes move and focus, and what that might tell us about attention, especially in people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We're particularly interested in something called 'eye vergence', which is how your eyes naturally turn inward or outward to keep things in focus and see depth. Recent research suggests this involuntary eye movement could be connected to how well someone pays attention and processes visual information.

We'll be using special computer tasks that track your eye movements, pupils (the black circles in your eyes), and even head movements. By doing this, we hope to learn if there are specific patterns in how people with ADHD and ASD move their eyes that are different from others, and if these patterns relate to their attention. This isn't just about general attention; we'll look at different aspects of attention, like how you shift focus, ignore distractions, and stay focused on a task. We're working with both children (from age 7) and adults, drawing on information from their past clinical assessments to compare with their eye-tracking results. This fundamental understanding could one day help us spot attention difficulties earlier and develop more tailored support.

Beyond simply understanding eye movements, we're also curious about technology! We'll be exploring whether artificial intelligence (AI) can make the questionnaires and rating scales used to assess ADHD and ASD more accurate. And in a smaller group, we're even testing if a regular smartphone selfie camera can be used to accurately track eye movements. If successful, this could make future assessments much simpler and more accessible. Importantly, this study is about gaining new scientific knowledge, not about testing a new medical device for treatment. It’s about building a better picture of how the brain and eyes work together in ADHD and ASD.

Key takeaways

Exploring if eye movements (eye vergence) are linked to attention in ADHD and ASD.
Using computer tasks to track eye movements, pupil size, and head movements.
Aimed at improving understanding for earlier detection and better future support.
Includes both children (age 7+) and adults with ADHD/ASD and a control group.
Investigating if AI can improve symptom measurement and if smartphone cameras can track eye movements.
Focus is on basic scientific research, not testing a new medical device.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, we're looking for different groups of people.

Firstly, we're inviting individuals who have either already had an assessment for ADHD and/or Autism, or who are currently going through one, at specific clinics in either the CAN centre or Dr Kilbey's practice in Beckenham. You must be aged 6 years or older to participate, and we welcome people of all genders.

Secondly, we need a 'control group' – these are people who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD or Autism and do not show any signs of these conditions. They also need to be 6 years or older.

However, there are some reasons why someone might not be able to participate. This includes people who have uncorrected vision problems, like needing glasses but not wearing them, or certain eye conditions like a lazy eye (strabismus) or uncontrolled eye movements (nystagmus). Anyone with other significant vision problems, like blindness or a severe loss of vision, would also not be able to join.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 6 years old or older?
Have you had an assessment for ADHD or Autism at CAN or Dr Kilbey's practice, or do you not have either condition?
Do you have good vision, either naturally or corrected with glasses/contact lenses?
Do you not have other eye conditions like a lazy eye or uncontrolled eye movements?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will be asked to visit one of the study centres. During your visit, you'll complete a series of computer-based tasks that involve watching a screen while your eye movements are recorded by special tracking equipment. These tasks are designed to look at different aspects of your attention. We will also compare the information from these eye-tracking tasks with details from your routine clinical assessments, such as questionnaires about ADHD or ASD symptoms. If you give your consent, we may also look at data from assessments you've already completed. There are no medications to take as part of this study, and no follow-up visits are typically needed beyond the main session. The exact duration of your visit will be explained in detail by the research team, but the tasks are generally completed within a single session.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might not offer you direct personal medical benefits, but the information we gather will be incredibly valuable. It will help researchers better understand how attention works in people with ADHD and ASD, potentially leading to earlier detection and more effective support in the future. As for risks, these are generally very low. You might experience some eye strain or fatigue from looking at a computer screen for a period, similar to everyday computer use. There's always the chance that someone might feel mild discomfort during the tasks. Remember, your participation is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without needing to explain, and it will not affect your current or future medical care.

Locations (3)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Braingaze SL
Verified postcode
Barcelona, Spain
The Dr Kilbey Practice
Verified postcode
Beckenham, United Kingdom
Child and Adult Neurodevelopment Assessment Ltd
Verified postcode
New Malden, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'eye vergence'?

Eye vergence is how your eyes naturally turn inward or outward to keep things in focus and help you see depth. It’s an automatic eye movement.

Will this study test a new treatment for ADHD or ASD?

No, this study is not testing a new treatment or even a new diagnostic device. It's about gaining a better scientific understanding of how eye movements relate to attention in these conditions.

How long will I need to be at the study centre?

The research team will tell you the exact time, but generally, the computer tasks are completed within a single visit, without requiring multiple sessions.

Will I need to take any medicine as part of the study?

No, this study does not involve taking any medications.

Can I still participate if I wear glasses?

You can participate if your vision is corrected well with glasses or contact lenses, and you don't have other significant eye conditions like a lazy eye or uncontrolled eye movements.