A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between genes and reflexive attention

Defined as the semi-autonomous orientation to either a moving or rapidly appearing stimulus, reflexive attention (RA) is a crucial process for humans. While there are multiple outcomes used to assess RA, their relationships have not been tested. Disruptions in RA often relate to neurodevelopmental d...

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Main Authors: Spencer Myres, Katherine E. Christensen, Rebecca A. Lundwall
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1449354/full
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author Spencer Myres
Katherine E. Christensen
Rebecca A. Lundwall
author_facet Spencer Myres
Katherine E. Christensen
Rebecca A. Lundwall
author_sort Spencer Myres
collection DOAJ
description Defined as the semi-autonomous orientation to either a moving or rapidly appearing stimulus, reflexive attention (RA) is a crucial process for humans. While there are multiple outcomes used to assess RA, their relationships have not been tested. Disruptions in RA often relate to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or autism spectrum disorder, so RA might be moderated by age. Additionally, the current academic consensus is that multiple genes influence RA, but this has not been assessed in a meta-analysis. A better understanding of RA using previously collected data will allow us to improve the design of future research studies.MethodsIn accordance with PRISMA, we conducted a broad search for potentially relevant articles pertaining to genes associated with RA. Selected studies included those (1) published in English, (2) involving human participants, and (3) referencing specific genetic markers in association with a measure of RA. For subgroup comparisons, we analyzed 14 studies assessing children and 23 assessing adults. We also compared 18 dopamine-related to 19 non-dopamine related studies.ResultsThe main analysis produced a non-significant overall effect size; however, our most interesting finding was that results varied by age group. We explore this as well as difference by outcome type and the relation of the gene studied to dopamine.ConclusionOur findings vary by age group. However, due to heterogeneity we recommend more studies to answer some questions about a broader range of neurotransmitters, to include younger age groups, and to clarify difference by outcome type. We discuss issues of relevance to researchers to guide future meta-analyses.Systematic review registrationProspero: International prospective register of systematic reviews. Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42018090220.
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spelling doaj-art-cc15e39ed48b4fb3bd8f3a4a9e7dd30f2025-08-20T03:21:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2025-05-011910.3389/fnins.2025.14493541449354A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between genes and reflexive attentionSpencer Myres0Katherine E. Christensen1Rebecca A. Lundwall2Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United StatesPacific Graduate School of Psychology-Stanford PsyD Consortium, Palo Alto, CA, United StatesPsychology Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United StatesDefined as the semi-autonomous orientation to either a moving or rapidly appearing stimulus, reflexive attention (RA) is a crucial process for humans. While there are multiple outcomes used to assess RA, their relationships have not been tested. Disruptions in RA often relate to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or autism spectrum disorder, so RA might be moderated by age. Additionally, the current academic consensus is that multiple genes influence RA, but this has not been assessed in a meta-analysis. A better understanding of RA using previously collected data will allow us to improve the design of future research studies.MethodsIn accordance with PRISMA, we conducted a broad search for potentially relevant articles pertaining to genes associated with RA. Selected studies included those (1) published in English, (2) involving human participants, and (3) referencing specific genetic markers in association with a measure of RA. For subgroup comparisons, we analyzed 14 studies assessing children and 23 assessing adults. We also compared 18 dopamine-related to 19 non-dopamine related studies.ResultsThe main analysis produced a non-significant overall effect size; however, our most interesting finding was that results varied by age group. We explore this as well as difference by outcome type and the relation of the gene studied to dopamine.ConclusionOur findings vary by age group. However, due to heterogeneity we recommend more studies to answer some questions about a broader range of neurotransmitters, to include younger age groups, and to clarify difference by outcome type. We discuss issues of relevance to researchers to guide future meta-analyses.Systematic review registrationProspero: International prospective register of systematic reviews. Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42018090220.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1449354/fullmeta-analysisgenetic influencereflexive attentiondevelopmentchildren and adultsneurotransmitters
spellingShingle Spencer Myres
Katherine E. Christensen
Rebecca A. Lundwall
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between genes and reflexive attention
Frontiers in Neuroscience
meta-analysis
genetic influence
reflexive attention
development
children and adults
neurotransmitters
title A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between genes and reflexive attention
title_full A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between genes and reflexive attention
title_fullStr A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between genes and reflexive attention
title_full_unstemmed A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between genes and reflexive attention
title_short A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between genes and reflexive attention
title_sort systematic review and meta analysis of the relationship between genes and reflexive attention
topic meta-analysis
genetic influence
reflexive attention
development
children and adults
neurotransmitters
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1449354/full
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