ERIC Number: EJ1464139
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Apr
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: EISSN-1573-3432
Available Date: 2024-02-23
Detecting Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Using Multimodal Time-Frequency Analysis with Machine Learning Using the Electroretinogram from Two Flash Strengths
Sultan Mohammad Manjur1; Luis Roberto Mercado Diaz1; Irene O. Lee2; David H. Skuse2; Dorothy A. Thompson3,4; Fernando Marmolejos-Ramos5; Paul A. Constable6; Hugo F. Posada-Quintero1
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v55 n4 p1365-1378 2025
Purpose: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are conditions that similarly alter cognitive functioning ability and challenge the social interaction, attention, and communication skills of affected individuals. Yet these are distinct neurological conditions that can exhibit diverse characteristics which require different management strategies. It is desirable to develop tools to assist with early distinction so that appropriate early interventions and support may be tailored to an individual's specific requirements. The current diagnostic procedures for ASD and ADHD require a multidisciplinary approach and can be lengthy. This study investigated the potential of electroretinogram (ERG), an eye test measuring retinal responses to light, for rapid screening of ASD and ADHD. Methods: Previous studies identified differences in ERG amplitude between ASD and ADHD, but this study explored time-frequency analysis (TFS) to capture dynamic changes in the signal. ERG data from 286 subjects (146 control, 94 ASD, 46 ADHD) was analyzed using two TFS techniques. Results: Key features were selected, and machine learning models were trained to classify individuals based on their ERG response. The best model achieved 70% overall accuracy in distinguishing control, ASD, and ADHD groups. Conclusion: The ERG to the stronger flash strength provided better separation and the high frequency dynamics (80-300 Hz) were more informative features than lower frequency components. To further improve classification a greater number of different flash strengths may be required along with a discrimination comparison to participants who meet both ASD and ADHD classifications and carry both diagnoses.
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Clinical Diagnosis, Measurement Equipment, Physiology, Screening Tests
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1University of Connecticut, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Storrs, USA; 2University College London, Behavioral and Brain Sciences Unit, Population Policy and Practice Program, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK; 3Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Tony Kriss Visual Electrophysiology Unit, Clinical and Academic Department of Ophthalmology, London, UK; 4University College London, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute for Child Health, London, UK; 5University of South Australia, Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning, Adelaide, Australia; 6Flinders University, Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Adelaide, Australia