Faculty Publications

Contrast Sensitivity in Children With and Without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Developmental Neuropsychology

Volume

34

Issue

6

First Page

663

Last Page

682

Abstract

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.

Department

Department of Psychology

Original Publication Date

11-1-2009

DOI of published version

10.1080/87565640902964474

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