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Title: | Denser Retinal Microvascular Network Is Inversely Associated With Behavioral Outcomes and Sustained Attention in Children | Authors: | PROVOST, Eline NAWROT, Tim INT PANIS, Luc Standaert, Arnout SAENEN, Nelly DE BOEVER, Patrick |
Issue Date: | 2021 | Publisher: | FRONTIERS MEDIA SA | Source: | Frontiers in Neurology, 12 (Art N° 547033) | Abstract: | Changes in geometry of the retinal microvascular network, including vessel width, vessel density, and tortuosity, have been associated with neurological disorders in adults. We investigated metrics of the retinal microvasculature in association with behavior and cognition in 8- to 12-year-old children. Digital fundus images of 190 children (48.2% girls, mean age 9.9 years) were used to calculate retinal vessel diameters, fractal dimension, lacunarity, and tortuosity. Parents filled out a Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for behavioral screening. Cognitive performance testing included a computerized version of the Stroop test (selective attention), the Continuous Performance (sustained attention), the Digit-Symbol (visual scanning and information-processing speed) and the Pattern Comparison (visuospatial analytic ability) tests from the Neurobehavioral Evaluation System (NES3) battery. Retinal vessel geometry was significantly associated with the SDQ problem score, which increased with 1.1 points (95% CI: 0.3 to 1.9 points) per interquartile (IQR) increment in retinal fractal dimension, and decreased 1.4 points (95% CI: -2.4 to -0.4 points) or decreased 1.0 points (95% CI: -2.1 to 0.1 points) per IQR increment in retinal vascular lacunarity or tortuosity, respectively. Sensitivity analyses showed that results were driven by the hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problem scales of the SDQ. Correspondingly, mean reaction time on the Continuous Performance test increased by 11 ms (95% CI: 4.4 to 17.6 ms) with an IQR increase in fractal dimension. The results indicate that a denser retinal microvascular network, exemplified by a higher fractal dimension and lower lacunarity, are inversely associated with behavioral outcomes and sustained attention in children. | Notes: | Nawrot, TS (corresponding author), Hasselt Univ, Ctr Environm Sci, Diepenbeek, Belgium.; Nawrot, TS (corresponding author), Leuven Univ, Dept Publ Hlth & Primary Care, Leuven, Belgium. tim.nawrot@uhasselt.be |
Other: | Nawrot, TS (corresponding author), Hasselt Univ, Ctr Environm Sci, Diepenbeek, Belgium ; Leuven Univ, Dept Publ Hlth & Primary Care, Leuven, Belgium. tim.nawrot@uhasselt.be | Keywords: | retina;retina;microvasculature;microvasculature;geometry;geometry;fractal dimension;fractal dimension;behavior;behavior;cognition;cognition;children;children | Document URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1942/33868 | ISSN: | 1664-2295 | e-ISSN: | 1664-2295 | DOI: | 10.3389/fneur.2021.547033 | ISI #: | WOS:000617288900001 | Rights: | 2021 Provost, Nawrot, Int Panis, Standaert, Saenen and De Boever. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. | Category: | A1 | Type: | Journal Contribution | Validations: | ecoom 2022 |
Appears in Collections: | Research publications |
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