scholarly journals Objective and Subjective Evaluation of Saccadic Eye Movements in Healthy Children and Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Pilot Study

Vision ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Carmen Bilbao ◽  
David P. Piñero
Keyword(s):  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Saccadic Eye Movements ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Eye Tracker ◽  
Subjective Test ◽  
Software Analysis

The objective of this study was to characterize saccades in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDG, 17 children, age: 7–12 years) and compare them with a control group (CG, 15 children, age: 7–12 years), comparing the outcomes obtained with a subjective score system (Northeastern State University College of Optometry’s Oculomotor test, NSUCO) with the objective analysis obtained through a commercially available Eye Tracker (Tobii Eye X, Tobii, Stockholm, Sweden) and a specialized software analysis (Thomson Software Solutions, Welham Green, UK). Children from the NDDG obtained significantly lower NSUCO scores (p < 0.001) compared with CG. Concerning eye tracking analyses, we found a significantly higher number of hypometric saccades in NDGG (p ≤ 0.044). Likewise, we found a significantly higher percentage of regressions in the NDDG for a time interval of presentation of stimuli of 1 s (p = 0.012). Significant correlations were found between different NSUCO scores and percentage of regressions, number of saccades completed and number of hypometric saccades. The presence of hypometric saccades and regressions seems to be a differential characteristic sign of children with neurodevelopmental disorders that can be detected using an objective eye tracking analysis, but also using the subjective test NSUCO that can be easily implemented in all clinical settings.

scholarly journals A Fast and Effective System for Analysis of Optokinetic Waveforms with a Low-Cost Eye Tracking Device

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Chong-Bin Tsai ◽  
Wei-Yu Hung ◽  
Wei-Yen Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movements ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Eye Movement ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Saccadic Eye Movements ◽  
Slow Phase ◽  
Eye Tracker ◽  
Effective System ◽  
Tracking Device ◽  
Traditional Approaches

Optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) is an involuntary eye movement induced by motion of a large proportion of the visual field. It consists of a “slow phase (SP)” with eye movements in the same direction as the movement of the pattern and a “fast phase (FP)” with saccadic eye movements in the opposite direction. Study of OKN can reveal valuable information in ophthalmology, neurology and psychology. However, the current commercially available high-resolution and research-grade eye tracker is usually expensive. Methods & Results: We developed a novel fast and effective system combined with a low-cost eye tracking device to accurately quantitatively measure OKN eye movement. Conclusions: The experimental results indicate that the proposed method achieves fast and promising results in comparisons with several traditional approaches.

scholarly journals Automated visual acuity evaluation based on preferential looking technique and controlled with remote eye tracking

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nika Vrabič ◽  
Bor Juroš ◽  
Manca Tekavčič Pompe
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Eye Tracker ◽  
Preferential Looking ◽  
Spatial Frequencies ◽  
Average Luminance ◽  
Visual Acuity Test ◽  
Acuity Test ◽  
Preverbal Children

Objective. To establish an automated visual acuity test (AVAT) for infants, based on preferential looking technique and controlled with remote eye tracking. To validate the AVAT in a group of healthy children. To compare AVAT visual acuity (VA) values with corresponding VA values, acquired with standard tests (ST). Methods. ST, adapted for age (Keeler acuity cards in preverbal children, LEA symbols in verbal children), was performed to obtain monocular VA in a group of 36 healthy children. During AVAT, nine different stimuli with grating circles that matched spatial frequencies of nine Keeler acuity cards (raging between 0.29–14.5 cycles per degree) were projected on a screen. Three repetitions of each stimulus were showed during nine-second intervals, interchanging with an attention grabber. The remote eye tracker was used to evaluate the proportion of time a child spent looking at each grating circle compared to a homogenous grey background that matched the grating stimuli in average luminance. From this proportion of time child's binocular VA was evaluated. Results. 97 % (35/36) of healthy children successfully completed ST and AVAT. There was an agreement between the results of a ST and AVAT, Lin’s concordance coefficient being 0,53 (95% CI= 0,31–0,72). A tendency was observed towards VA overestimation on AVAT for children with VA> 0.4 logMAR on ST and towards VA underestimation on AVAT for children with VA ≤ 0.4 logMAR on ST. Conclusions. AVAT requires a minimally skilled investigator. The evaluation of better eye monocular VA on ST and binocular VA on AVAT were comparable for healthy children.

scholarly journals Computerized Eye-Tracking Training Improves the Saccadic Eye Movements of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1016
Author(s):  
Tsz Lok Lee ◽  
Michael K. Yeung ◽  
Sophia L. Sze ◽  
Agnes S. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Eye Movements ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Saccadic Eye Movements ◽  
Saccade Latency ◽  
Pharmacological Intervention ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Children With Adhd ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

Abnormal saccadic eye movements, such as longer anti-saccade latency and lower pro-saccade accuracy, are common in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of computerized eye-tracking training on improving saccadic eye movements in children with ADHD. Eighteen children with ADHD (mean age = 8.8 years, 10 males) were recruited and assigned to either the experimental (n = 9) or control group (n = 9). The experimental group underwent an accumulated 240 min of eye-tracking training within two weeks, whereas the control group engaged in web game playing for the same amount of time. Saccadic performances were assessed using the anti- and pro-saccade tasks before and after training. Compared to the baseline, only the children who underwent the eye-tracking training showed significant improvements in saccade latency and accuracy in the anti- and pro-saccade tasks, respectively. In contrast, the control group exhibited no significant changes. These preliminary findings support the use of eye-tracking training as a safe non-pharmacological intervention for improving the saccadic eye movements of children with ADHD.

scholarly journals The Vestibulo-ocular Reflex During Active Head Motion in Chiari II Malformation

2008 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Salman ◽  
James A. Sharpe ◽  
Linda Lillakas ◽  
Maureen Dennis ◽  
Martin J. Steinbach
Keyword(s):  
High Gain ◽  
Head Movements ◽  
Head Motion ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Eye Tracker ◽  
Ocular Reflex ◽  
Vestibulo Ocular Reflex ◽  
Chiari Ii ◽  
Age Range

Background:Chiari type II malformation (CII) is a developmental anomaly of the cerebellum and brainstem, which are important structures for processing the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). We investigated the effects of the deformity of CII on the angular VOR during active head motion.Methods:Eye and head movements were recorded using an infrared eye tracker and magnetic head tracker in 20 participants with CII [11 males, age range 8-19 years, mean (SD) 14.4 (3.2) years]. Thirty-eight age-matched healthy children and adolescents (21 males) constituted the control group. Participants were instructed to ‘look’ in darkness at the position of their thumb, placed 25 cm away, while they made horizontal and vertical sinusoidal head rotations at frequencies of about 0.5 Hz and 2 Hz. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used to compare the two groups.Results:The VOR gains, the ratio of eye to head velocities, were abnormally low in two participants with CII and abnormally high in one participant with CII.Conclusion:The majority of participants with CII had normal VOR performance in this investigation. However, the deformity of CII can impair the active angular VOR in some patients with CII. Low gain is attributed to brainstem damage and high gain to cerebellar dysfunction.

scholarly journals Distribution of Visual and Oculomotor Alterations in a Clinical Population of Children with and without Neurodevelopmental Disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Carmen Bilbao ◽  
David Pablo Piñero
Keyword(s):  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Developmental Coordination Disorder ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Clinical Population ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Etiologic Factor ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Lower Amplitude ◽  
The Right

A prospective, non-randomized comparative study was conducted to compare the distribution of oculomotor and visual alterations in children with neurodevelopmental disorders and healthy children without such disorders. Sixty-nine children (aged 6–13 years) were enrolled and divided into three groups: a control group (CG) of 23 healthy children; a group of 18 healthy children with oculomotor abnormalities (OAG); and a group of 28 children with a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDDG), with 15 cases of dyslexia, 7 cases of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and 6 cases of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Significantly worse near stereopsis was found in NDDG compared with CG (p < 0.001) and OAG (p = 0.001). Likewise, a significantly lower amplitude of accommodation was found in NDDG compared with CG in both the right (p = 0.001) and left eyes (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences between groups were found in the measurement of near and distance phoria (p ≥ 0.557), near point of convergence (p = 0.700) and fusional vergences (p ≥ 0.059). Significantly impaired oculomotor test scores were found in NDDG compared with CG (p < 0.001), with no significant differences between OAG and NDDG (p ≥ 0.063). The comparison between the three types of neurodevelopmental disorders included revealed the presence of a significantly lower amplitude of accommodation in children with DCD compared with dyslexics. Furthermore, less exophoria at near was present in children with dyslexia compared with children with ADHD (p = 0.018) and DCD (p = 0.054). In conclusion, children with dyslexia, ADHD and DCD show an altered oculomotor pattern and a more reduced amplitude of accommodation, not always compatible with the diagnostic criteria of an accommodative insufficiency. Accommodative and binocular vision problems are not always present in these children and cannot be considered an etiologic factor.

scholarly journals Look before you Authorize: Using Eye-Tracking to Enforce User Attention towards Application Permissions

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yousra Javed ◽  
Mohamed Shehab
Keyword(s):  
Eye Tracking ◽  
User Study ◽  
Eye Gaze ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Eye Tracker ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
User Attention ◽  
Gaze Fixations

Abstract Habituation is a key factor behind the lack of attention towards permission authorization dialogs during third party application installation. Various solutions have been proposed to combat the problem of achieving attention switch towards permissions. However, users continue to ignore these dialogs, and authorize dangerous permissions, which leads to security and privacy breaches. We leverage eye-tracking to approach this problem, and propose a mechanism for enforcing user attention towards application permissions before users are able to authorize them. We deactivate the dialog’s decision buttons initially, and use feedback from the eye-tracker to ensure that the user has looked at the permissions. After determining user attention, the buttons are activated. We implemented a prototype of our approach as a Chrome browser extension, and conducted a user study on Facebook’s application authorization dialogs. Using participants’ permission identification, eye-gaze fixations, and authorization decisions, we evaluate participants’ attention towards permissions. The participants who used our approach on authorization dialogs were able to identify the permissions better, compared to the rest of the participants, even after the habituation period. Their average number of eye-gaze fixations on the permission text was significantly higher than the other group participants. However, examining the rate in which participants denied a dangerous and unnecessary permission, the hypothesized increase from the control group to the treatment group was not statistically significant.

NATRIURETIC PEPTIDES LEVEL AND THE STATUS OF THE RENIN – ANGIOTENSIN-ALDOSTERONE SYSTEM IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN PATIENTS WITH CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS OF THE URINARY SYSTEM

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 45-50
Author(s):  
A. M. Mambetova ◽  
A. M. Inarokova ◽  
N. N. Shabalova ◽  
D. V. Bizheva ◽  
A. T. Mahiyeva
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Malformations ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Urinary System ◽  
Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System ◽  
Natriuretic Hormone ◽  
Renin Angiotensin ◽  
Group I ◽  
The Status ◽  
Sick Children

THE AIM. To determine the concentration of natriuretic peptide in the blood serum in children with congenital malformations of the urinary system (CM US) and to compare with the activity of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS).MATERIALS AND METHODS.119 patients with CM US aged 3 to 18 years were examined. A control group of 10 clinically healthy children. 3 groups were assigned: group I – 55 children with  congenital vesicoureteral reflux, and group II – 34 children with  congenital hydronephrosis and ureterohydronephrosis, III group – 30 children with other forms of dysembryogenesis of the US. Following indicators were identified by ELISA in the blood: renin, aldosterone,  N – terminal propeptide natriuretic hormone (NT-рroВNР). RESULTS.NT-рroВNР, renin and aldosterone hyperproduction were diagnosed in 59,6%, 69,7%, 54.6 % of sick children relatively. Concentrations were higher in all variants of  malformations in comparison with the control group. Significant  differences were revealed in obstructive species, where arterial  hypertension (AH) was diagnosed more often. Patients with AH  recorded significantly higher concentrations of NT-proВNР and renin.CONCLUSION.The key point in pathological processes developmentand progression in the cardiovascular system and kidneys is the  activation of RAAS. The system of natriuretic factors is important in maintaining the compensated state of patients due to the blockade of RAAS.

ОЦЕНКА ЦИТОКИНОВОГО ПРОФИЛЯ СЫВОРОТКИ КРОВИ И СУБПОПУЛЯЦИЙ Т-ЛИМФОЦИТОВ У ДЕТЕЙ С АЛЛЕРГИЧЕСКИМИ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЯМИ ОРГАНОВ ДЫХАНИЯ

2019 ◽  
pp. 52-60
Author(s):  
E.V. Prosekova ◽  
A.I. Turyanskaya ◽  
N.G. Plekhova ◽  
M.S. Dolgopolov ◽  
V.A. Sabynych
Keyword(s):  
Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Bronchial Asthma ◽  
Allergic Inflammation ◽  
Allergic Diseases ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Serum Cytokine ◽  
Immunological Parameters ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Level Of Significance

Расширение спектра изучаемых клонов Тхелперов определило более сложные иммунные механизмы реализации аллергического воспаления. Цель. Характеристика показателей и взаимосвязей цитокинового профиля сыворотки и субпопуляционного состава Тлимфоцитов периферической крови у детей с бронхиальной астмой и аллергическим ринитом. Материалы и методы. Проведено комплексное обследование 150 детей в возрасте 311 лет с верифицированным диагнозом бронхиальной астмы, аллергического ринита и 30 здоровых сверстников. Иммунологические параметры крови оценивали методом проточной цитометрии, концентрации интерлейкинов и IgE в сыворотке крови определяли методом твердофазного иммуноферментного анализа. При статистической обработке использовали программы Statistica 10 с критическим уровнем значимости р0,05. Результаты. У детей с аллергическими заболеваниями в сыворотке крови определены высокие уровни содержания интерлейкинов4, 8, 13, 17А, сопоставимый с показателями группы контроля уровень IL17F и низкое содержание IFNy. При бронхиальной астме и аллергическом рините у детей выявлено увеличение количества CD3CD8CD45RO, CD3CD8CD45RACD45RO Тлимфоцитов и CD3CD4 Тхелперов и повышение количество Th17 при снижении CD3CD4CD45RO клеток памяти. В группе здоровых детей популяция Th17 составляла 9,491,6, у детей с аллергическими заболеваниями количество данных клеток было значимо выше 14,50,77 (р0,001). Анализ сывороточного содержания цитокинов у детей с изолированным течением БА и в сочетании с аллергическим ринитом выявил разнонаправленные корреляции, отличающиеся по силе и направленности от таковых в группе здоровых детей. Заключение. У детей при изолированном течении бронхиальной астмы и в сочетании с аллергическим ринитом выявлены: сопоставимое с показателями здоровых детей количество CD3CD4 Тклеток, дисбаланс в субпопуляционном составе Тхелперов за счет преобладания Th2 и Th17, активация синтеза IL17A, IL4, IL8, IL13, низкий уровень сывороточного IFNy, изменения силы и направленности взаимосвязей цитокинового профиля и спектра субпопуляций Тлимфоцитов.Expansion of the range of examined Thelper clones has determined more complex immune mechanisms for the implementation of allergic inflammation. Objective. To characterize the parameters and relationships between the serum cytokine profile and Tlymphocyte subpopulation in peripheral blood of children with bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. Materials and methods. 150 children aged between 311 years old with bronchial asthma, and allergic rhinitis and 30 healthy volunteers were examined. Immunological parameters were assessed by flow cytometry, the concentration of serum interleukins and IgE were determined by means of enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed with Statistica 10 program with a critical level of significance p0.05. Results. High levels of interleukins 4, 8, 13, 17A were determined, IL7F level was not significantly different from that in control group and low level of IFNy was found in the serum of children with allergic diseases. The number of CD3CD8CD45RO, CD3CD8CD45RACD45RO Tlymphocytes, CD3CD4 Thelper cells and Th17 were increased and at the same time CD3CD4CD45RO memory cells were decreased In bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis children. Number of Th17 cells in healthy children was 9.491.6, in allergic children it was significantly higher 14.50.77 (p0.001). Analyses of serum cytokine count in children with isolated BA and in association with allergic rhinitis revealed multidirectional correlations differing in strength and direction from those in the group of healthy children. Conclusion. In children with isolated bronchial asthma and associated with allergic rhinitis the following parameters were found: CD3CD4 Tcells count was comparable to that in healthy children, the imbalance of Thelper subpopulation: prevalence of Th2 and Th17, activation of IL17A, IL4, IL8, IL13 synthesis and low level of serum IFNy.

Design and Evaluation of a Modulated TENS Stimulation in Medical Pain Therapy

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-83
Author(s):  
L. Bouafif ◽  
N. Ellouze
Keyword(s):  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Pain Therapy ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Electrical Current ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Background: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive pain therapy that uses the sensory effects of an electrical current applied to the skin. Some clinical studies demonstrated that this treatment helps to reduce acute and chronic pains, while others gave sometimes contradictory or uncertain conclusions about the performances of this strategy according to pathology classification. The purpose of this study is the development and evaluation of a new modulated version of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation called PWM-TENS. The principle is based on an automatic variation of the stimulation parameters (frequency, amplitude, duration, shape, cyclic ratio) according to the pain evolution. Methods: The study was a controlled clinical trial involving 15 participants, divided into 2 groups. The first experimental group performed modulated PWM-TENS electro-stimulation sessions applied to the painful areas 3 to 4 times a day, for one month. The second control group did parallel treatments by Placebo. The evaluation of the pain intensity is done with the Visual Analog Scale (EVA), the DN4 and SF36 questionnaires. Results: The tests and measurements with our embedded PWM-TENS technique demonstrated that we succeeded to increase the analgesic effect after stopping the stimulation and reduced the pain sensation by about 60%. An improvement in pain intensity scores and questionnaires (EVA, DN4), as well as the quality of life score (SF36), was observed. Also, a reduction of the treatment period from 3 to 1 month was also obtained. Conclusion: The first results clinically observed in the PWM-TENS technique are encouraging. The findings of this study confirm that this noninvasive strategy is suitable and useful for acute pains coming from the nociceptive, neuropathic and musculoskeletal origin. However, its efficiency is moderated and less adapted for low back pain. The experiments make it possible to estimate whether this modulated TENS method could improve existing anti-pain therapies, taking into account objective and subjective evaluation criteria. But this study must be followed by large population samples to answer all the problems of acute and chronic pains.

scholarly journals Assessment of Subclinical Renal Glomerular and Tubular Dysfunction in Children with Beta Thalassemia Major

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Asmaa A. Mahmoud ◽  
Doaa M. Elian ◽  
Nahla MS. Abd El Hady ◽  
Heba M. Abdallah ◽  
Shimaa Abdelsattar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystatin C ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Thalassemia Major ◽  
Beta Thalassemia ◽  
Good Survival ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Serum Cystatin C ◽  
Serum Cystatin ◽  
Beta Thalassemia Major

Background: A good survival rate among patients with beta thalassemia major (beta-TM) has led to the appearance of an unrecognized renal disease. Therefore, we aimed to assess the role of serum cystatin-C as a promising marker for the detection of renal glomerular dysfunction and N-acetyl beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) as potential markers for the detection of renal tubular injury in beta-TM children. Methods: This case-control study was implemented on 100 beta-TM children receiving regular blood transfusions and undergoing iron chelation therapy and 100 healthy children as a control group. Detailed histories of complete physical and clinical examinations were recorded. All subjected children underwent blood and urinary investigations. Results: There was a significant increase in serum cystatin-C (p < 0.001) and a significant decrease in eGFR in patients with beta-TM compared with controls (p = 0.01). There was a significant increase in urinary NAG, KIM-1, UNAG/Cr, and UKIM-1/Cr (p < 0.001) among thalassemic children, with a significant positive correlation between serum cystatin-C, NAG and KIM-1 as regards serum ferritin, creatinine, and urea among thalassemic patients. A negative correlation between serum cystatin-C and urinary markers with eGFR was noted. Conclusion: Serum cystatin-C is a good marker for detection of glomerular dysfunction. NAG and KIM-1 may have a predictive role in the detection of kidney injury in beta-TM children.

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