Contrast sensitivity in children with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms.
Dopamine regulation may play a role in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Visual contrast sensitivity has been proposed as a measure of retinal dopamine that may predict frontal lobe dopamine levels. Individuals with disorders involving dopamine dysregulation (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Phenylketonuria) have shown poor contrast sensitivity. In this study, 110 6- to 13-year-old children with and without ADHD completed a task measuring visual contrast sensitivity. As predicted, contrast sensitivity was significantly worse in children with ADHD-Combined Type than controls. Contrast sensitivity was significantly correlated with inattention and hyperactivity. However, unlike many neuropsychological studies of ADHD, only hyperactivity accounted for unique variance.
Bartgis
Jami
J
National Council on Urban Indian Health, Washington, DC, USA.
Lefler
Elizabeth K
EK
Hartung
Cynthia M
CM
Thomas
David G
DG
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D004298:Dopamine