Retinal scan with optical coherence tomography in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Objective: In this study, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses were compared between adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) cases and healthy controls.

Method: The study included adults diagnosed with ADHD based on the DSM-5 criteria and age and gender matched healthy controls. Spectral area optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed on the 52 eyes of 26 participants with ADHD and the 52 eyes of the 26 healthy control individuals.

Results: Comparing the data on the 52 eyes of 26 ADHD participants and the 52 eyes of 26 healthy control participants indicated that the central macular thickness (CMT) and the RNFL thicknesses, the ganglion cell complex (GCC), the mean inner macular ring (MIRAVG) and the mean outer macular ring (MOR-AVG) thicknesses were significantly lower in the ADHD group.

Conclusion: This is the first study in the literature on the RNFL thickness in adult ADHD patients. Our findings demonstrated that RNFL thickness is lower in ADHD cases as the unmyelinated axons are reduced in ADHD. Hence, the quantitative and reproducible nature of Spectral Domain-OCT thickness measurements can be used as biomarkers to monitor disease progression in ADHD cases.