Age-dependent pupillary light reflex parameters in children.
Pupillary light reflex (PLR) refers to the phenomenon where pupil size changes in response to stimulation with a flash of light. It is a simple functional test that can reveal dysfunctions associated with the PLR pathway. Although abnormal PLR responses have been reported in many neurological disorders, few studies investigated neurodevelopmental effects on PLR parameters. We studied the effect of age on PLR in a group of 6 to 17 year old children with typical development. A significant and consistent age effect was found on PLR latency in children younger than 10 years old. Age effects were also observed in resting pupil diameter and constriction amplitude. However such age related trends were not observed in children with neurodevelopment disorders. These results suggest that PLR has the potential to be used as a simple noninvasive tool for monitoring neurodevelopment in children.
Department of Biological Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.cldc82@mail.missouri.edu
Chathuri
C
Daluwatte
Judith H
JH
Miles
Shawn E
SE
Christ
David Q
DQ
Beversdorf
Andrew
A
Lofgreen
Nathan
N
Berliner
Gang
G
Yao
D000221:Adaptation, Ocular / Q000528:radiation effects; D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D009420:Nervous System / Q000473:pathology; D011680:Pupil / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012025:Reflex, Pupillary / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*