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Oculometric behavior assessed by pupil response is altered in adolescent depression
N Sekaninova1, I Ondrejka, L Bona Olexova
1Department of Physiology and Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovak Republic. nikola.sekaninova@gmail.com.
Physiological Research
|January 14, 2020
Summary
Adolescent depression shows altered pupil responses to emotional images, indicating central autonomic dysregulation. This suggests parasympathetic hypoactivity and sympathetic dominance impacting emotional processing in depressed teens.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Autonomic Nervous System
Background:
- Pupil response reflects central autonomic activity and emotional regulation.
- Research on pupil response to emotional stimuli in adolescent depression is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate emotional-linked pupil response in adolescents with depression.
- To identify potential central autonomic dysregulation associated with adolescent depression.
Main Methods:
- Compared pupilometric behavior in 20 depressive adolescents and 20 healthy controls using eye-tracking.
- Evaluated baseline pupil diameter, pupillary light reflex, and responses during emotional picture viewing (positive and negative) and recovery phases.
Main Results:
- Depressive group exhibited greater baseline pupil diameter and dilation to positive images (right eye).
- Slower constriction velocity and faster dilation velocity were observed in the depressive group.
- Altered constriction percentual change and pupil diameter differences between positive and negative images were noted in the left eye of depressive adolescents.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest central autonomic dysregulation in adolescent depression, characterized by parasympathetic hypoactivity and relative sympathetic dominance.
- Impaired emotional processing appears to influence autonomic responses in adolescent depression.
