RECOGNeyes: Remediating cognitive control of gaze (360G-Wellcome-202122_Z_16_Z)

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity (ADHD) disorder is typified by impairments in control of attention and/or inhibitory motor control, both of which are related to gaze control: visual attention requires control of gaze direction; and gaze control is itself a motor control skill. Our goal is to develop a suite of computer-based games using eye-tracker technology, in which the trainee’s own eyes become the game controller: to advance in the games, the trainee must acquire increasing control of gaze direction. The training games will be designed to improve fixation in the face of irrelevant distractors, and while monitoring the periphery for relevant information. The games will also train the timing of saccadic responses, in line with evidence that motor timing may be a related impairment in ADHD. The money requested will fund the purchase of two high quality eyetracker systems, enabling games to be prototyped using MatLab in Nottingham, in consultation with young people and adults with ADHD, while in parallel game prototypes are developed and programmed using a standard gaming platform with visual and auditory effects. The deliverable will be a trial-ready suite of training games, which will be evaluated by students and teachersin local schools.