Optic Nerve Head Parameters, Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Executive Functions in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between executive functions and optic nerve head parameters (the disc area, the neuroretinal rim volume and cup-to-disc ratio) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) in medication-free school-age children diagnosed with (ADHD). Materials and Methods:Thirty children aged 8-12 years, who were diagnosed with ADHD, and thirty healthy children without psychiatric disorders were included in the study.Parents of all participants filled out the Sociodemographic Data Form, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) Parent form, and the Conners Parent Rating scale.All children underwent a comprehensive eye examination.Optic nerve head parameters and pRNFL were measured using optical coherence tomography. Results:The BRIEF subscale, which evaluates executive functions, showed a significant difference between children diagnosed with ADHD and the control group (p<0.05).In the left eye, the nasal pRNFL region thickness, the disc area and neuroretinal rim volume width were found to differ between the groups (p<0.05).Both optic nerve rim volume and disc area were negatively correlated with BRIEF subscales, including initiation, working memory, organization, monitoring, metacognitive index, and global executive index scores.However, no relationship was found between pRNFL thickness (nasal) in the left eye and the BRIEF subscales. Conclusion:This novel study has shown a potential relationship between optic nerve head parameters and executive functions in children diagnosed with ADHD.Further studies using performance-based tests and neuroimaging devices (functional magnetic resonance imaging) are needed to examine the relationship of optic nerve head parameters with executive functions in ADHD.