Imaging breakthrough may provide ASD diagnosis biomarker

Avoidance of eye contact has long been identified as a possible feature of ASD but its neurological basis had been limited previously, due to the challenge in imaging the brains of individuals simultaneously.

But a new study, Neural correlates of eye contact and social function in autism spectrum disorder published in PLOS ONE has employed innovative technology that enable this to be achieved 

Research leaders Professor Joy Hirsch (UCL and Yale) and Professor James McPartland (Yale) identified specific areas in the dorsal parietal region of the brain associated with the ‘social symptomatology’ of autism, displaying neural responses to live face and eye-contact that might provide a biomarker for diagnosis of ASD. 

Employing near-infrared spectroscopy non-invasive optical neuroimaging, the team examined brain activity in short social interactions between a neurotypical and an ASD participant. Both parties wore caps equipped with sensors that emitted light into the brain and recorded changes in light.

During eye contact, ASD participants recorded significantly reduced activity in their brains’ dorsal parietal cortex compared to neurotypical participants.  Activity was also lower according to the severity of  an individual’s overall social symptoms of ASD as measured by ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2^nd Edition) scores.

“We now not only have a better understanding of the neurobiology of autism and social differences, but also of the underlying neural mechanisms that drive typical social connections,” Hirsch said.

Pic: Victor Freitas@Unsplash