Teenager Develops AI Tool to Detect Autism and ADHD Using Eye Scans
A teenager from New Jersey has developed an AI tool that diagnoses autism and ADHD using retinal images. The project began as a school assignment.
A teenager from New Jersey has developed an artificial intelligence tool capable of diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by analyzing retinal images. Edward Kang, a 17-year-old high school senior, created the AI tool, named RetinaMind, as an outcome of his research which initially started as a school project.
Kang's project was inspired by a study from the Chinese University of Hong Kong that used retinal images for autism diagnosis. He found it intriguing that the eye could offer insights into the brain's function, leading him to develop his own tool.
ASD and ADHD are prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders in the United States. ASD affects approximately 3 percent of children, while ADHD is experienced by nearly seven million children. Current diagnostic methods for these conditions lack direct biomarkers and rely on behavioral observations.
ASD and ADHD are considered "behavioral phenotypes" derived from brain functions and can often be accompanied by other developmental or behavioral issues. Diagnosis traditionally centers on describing skill development or unusual behaviors.