Characterization of Executive Functions and Patterns of Eye Movements in Children With Developmental Disabilities

The purpose of this study is to characterize the profile of executive functions and eye movements in several populations of children with developmental disabilities.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Autistic Disorder; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Developmental Coordination Disorder

Detailed Description

Abnormal Executive function (EF) profile was considered a major characteristic of Attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism, and is frequently implicated in Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) children as well. The scientific literature implies that the EF profile among these three groups share some common abnormalities, but differ significantly in specific features. Abnormal EF profile may be a core feature of the developmental trajectory of each syndrome.

The fine measurement of eye movements may shed light on the underlying mechanisms of specific disorders, and point to abnormal attention, information processing, or motor organization. Gaze is an important component of social interaction. Eye contact and recognition of other's gaze direction are crucial to empathy assessment.

The current study will embark in the assessment of a wide range of EF in these populations and in a matched control group, as well as their relation to other important parameters such as daily function skills and comorbid neurobehavioral characteristics. It will also assess the pattern of eye movements in response to various visual stimuli in these populations. The main purpose is to characterize the similarities and differences of each of these populations, in terms of EF and eye movements.

Assessment methods:

Clinical parameters:

• Intelligence tests (according to the child's age)
• Communication: DSM-IV, ADOS, Stony Brook questionnaire
• Motor / Coordination: Movement Advanced Battery for Children (M-ABC)
• Attention: Conners Rating Scales - Revised (CRS-R 3rd ed.)
• Sleep: Sleep habits questionnaire

Executive functions will be assessed using the following methods:

• NEPSI-II
• BRIEF questionnaire
• Wisconsin Card Sorting Test
• Tower of Hanoi

Eye movements will be measured using an infra-red video camera produced by ISCAN inc. the following visual stimuli will be presented:

• Human faces presenting various emotions
• Various objects
• Saccade and anti-saccade tasks

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 160

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Israel
  • Ramat-Gan, Israel, 52621
    • Recruiting
    • Weinberg Child Development Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 4 years to 10 years (CHILD)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Primary care clinic

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age of 4-10 years
• A medical diagnosis according to the relevant study group
• Normal vision without glasses or contact lens.

Exclusion Criteria - clinical groups:

• Intelligence Quotient below 70
• A known brain damage
• A known hearing impairment
• Regular use of medications (except for psychostimulants)
• Evidence for a known genetic syndrome
• History of fetal CMV infection, birth asphyxia, major head injury or epilepsy

Exclusion Criteria - control group:

• Intelligence Quotient below 70
• Regular use of medications
• Evidence for a neurological / psychiatric disorder, birth injury, developmental delay, head injury, or other medical disorders that affect the central nervous system
• Family History - first degree) of autism, DCD, ADHD or other neurological/psychiatric disorder

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

4

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
DCD; Children with a diagnosis of DCD
Autism; Children with a diagnosis of Autism disorder
ADHD; Children with a diagnosis of ADHD
Control; Control group - children with no neurological or psychiatric problems

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Sheba Medical Center
• Collaborators: Bar-Ilan University, Israel

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• ISCAN Inc. - producing the eye tracking equipment for the study

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2009
• Primary Completion (ANTICIPATED): December 1, 2009
• Study Completion (ANTICIPATED): December 1, 2009

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 15, 2008
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 15, 2008
• First Posted (ESTIMATE): July 16, 2008

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ESTIMATE): January 16, 2009
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 15, 2009
• Last Verified: January 1, 2009

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: ADHD; ASD; Executive Functions; PDD; DCD
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Pathologic Processes; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Disease; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Autistic Disorder; Developmental Disabilities; Motor Skills Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: SHEBA-08-5185-LG-CTIL