Exploring Eye Vergence Markers ADHD) and ASD

February 2, 2026 updated by: Elizabeth Kilbey

Exploring Eye Vergence Markers in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The investigators study aims to evaluate the utility of eye vergence, an eye-tracking measure, as an indicator of visuo-spatial attention in children aged 4-17 years and adults, using computer-based eye-tracking tasks. Eye vergence, a binocular movement crucial for depth perception, has recently been linked to attentional control and neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) like ADHD and ASD. The investigators will work with children and adults from the CAN and Beckenham clinical centres to explore the relationship between eye vergence and diagnostic categories, potentially identifying subgroups with specific or overlapping attentional differences. This research may aid in the early detection of attention deficits, informing targeted treatments.

The investigators will compare neuropsychological and behavioural data from routine clinical sessions with neurophysiological data collected via eye-tracking in a large sample of children aged 7-17 and adults with ADHD and ASD. These clinical measures are well-validated. The study will assess the modulation of eye vergence, pupil size, and head movements across tasks that target different attentional processes, such as orienting, disengaging, inhibiting, and sustaining attention. These tasks will be adapted from both Braingaze's battery and other validated eye-tracking tasks.

Additionally, the investigators will explore whether AI can enhance the accuracy of rating scales and questionnaires used to measure ADHD and ASD symptoms in children and adults. With consent, the investigators will use data from previously diagnosed patients collected during routine assessments at the CAN and Beckenham centres.

The investigators will also test the accuracy of using a smartphone selfie camera as an eye tracker. In a subset of 50 children (25 clinical and 25 controls), the investigators will evaluate this technology for its ability to measure eye vergence and identify attentional differences.

This study qualifies as basic science because it aims to explore fundamental mechanisms of eye vergence and its relationship with attention, rather than evaluating or marketing a medical device for diagnosis or treatment. The primary objective is to understand how eye vergence, as a neurophysiological measure, correlates with attentional processes in individuals with ADHD and ASD. Although the study utilizes an eye-tracking device, it does so as a research tool to collect data on visual and cognitive processes. The focus is on expanding the knowledge of cognitive function and attention regulation in neurodevelopmental conditions, not on testing or validating the device for clinical use. This distinction makes the study appropriate for review by the receiving REC as basic scientific research, rather than as a clinical trial of a medical device.

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

200

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Spain
    • Catalonia
      • Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 08302
        • Braingaze SL
  • United Kingdom
    • London
      • Beckenham, London, United Kingdom, BR3 5AA
        • The Dr Kilbey Practice
      • New Malden, London, United Kingdom, KT3 4BH
        • Child and Adult Neurodevelopment Assessment Ltd

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Individuals from the Southeast of England, who are able to travel to either New Malden or Beckenham to partake in the study.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Clinical Groups: Patients currently undergoing or who have previously undergone an assessment for either ADHD and/or Autism at either the CAN centre or Dr Kilbey's private practice in Beckenham.
  • Control Group: Subjects without a diagnosis of either ADHD nor Autism, who show no traits of these conditions.
  • People of any gender/sex who are aged older than 6 years old.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Those with non-corrected vision - e.g. near-sightedness, far-sightedness, strabismus or nystagmus
  • Individuals with any other oculomotor deficiency, blindness or vision loss.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
ADHD Group
Patients who have a diagnosis of ADHD (but not ASD), either prior to, or diagnosed during, the duration of their participation in the study.
Device: BGaze ADHD Diagnostic Test
The BGaze Clinic ADHD diagnostic test will be administered to all participants. This involves a computer-based task, where an eye-tracker will be recording their eye-movements.
Device: Oddball/Alerting Computer Task
Oddball/Alerting Computer Task will be completed by all participants while an eye-tracker records their eye movements.
Device: Facical Emotion Computer Task
The Facial Emotion Computer Task will also be completed by all participants while their eye movements are recorded using an eye-tracker.
ASD Group
Patients who have a diagnosis of ASD (but not ADHD), either prior to, or diagnosed during, the duration of their participation in the study.
Device: BGaze ADHD Diagnostic Test
The BGaze Clinic ADHD diagnostic test will be administered to all participants. This involves a computer-based task, where an eye-tracker will be recording their eye-movements.
Device: Oddball/Alerting Computer Task
Oddball/Alerting Computer Task will be completed by all participants while an eye-tracker records their eye movements.
Device: Facical Emotion Computer Task
The Facial Emotion Computer Task will also be completed by all participants while their eye movements are recorded using an eye-tracker.
Combined Group
Patients who have a combined diagnosis of ADHD and ASD, either prior to, or diagnosed during, the duration of their participation in the study.
Device: BGaze ADHD Diagnostic Test
The BGaze Clinic ADHD diagnostic test will be administered to all participants. This involves a computer-based task, where an eye-tracker will be recording their eye-movements.
Device: Oddball/Alerting Computer Task
Oddball/Alerting Computer Task will be completed by all participants while an eye-tracker records their eye movements.
Device: Facical Emotion Computer Task
The Facial Emotion Computer Task will also be completed by all participants while their eye movements are recorded using an eye-tracker.
Control Group
Patients who do not have a diagnosis of neither ADHD and/or ASD, and do not show traits of either diagnosis.
Device: BGaze ADHD Diagnostic Test
The BGaze Clinic ADHD diagnostic test will be administered to all participants. This involves a computer-based task, where an eye-tracker will be recording their eye-movements.
Device: Oddball/Alerting Computer Task
Oddball/Alerting Computer Task will be completed by all participants while an eye-tracker records their eye movements.
Device: Facical Emotion Computer Task
The Facial Emotion Computer Task will also be completed by all participants while their eye movements are recorded using an eye-tracker.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of cognitive eye vergence data, gathered using eye-tracking, for correctly identifying specific attentional deficits in patients with NDCs such as ADHD and ASD.
Time Frame: From enrollment of the first participant, through to study completion after 2 years.
From enrollment of the first participant, through to study completion after 2 years.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Elizabeth Kilbey

Collaborators

Braingaze

Investigators

  • Study Director: Hans A Super, BSc MSc PhD, Braingaze & University of Barcelona

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 31, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

January 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 7, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 12, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

March 19, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 3, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 2, 2026

Last Verified

February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 347961

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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