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Sensitivity and specificity of pupillary light reflex measures for ASD using monocular pupillometry
Georgina T F Lynch1, Stephen M James2, Teresa A Cardon3
1Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA. georgina.lynch@wsu.edu.
Summary
Automated pupillometry shows promise for autism screening. Specific pupil constriction and return-to-baseline times can help detect autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Automated hand-held pupillometry offers a precise and accurate method for potential use in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening.
- Pupillometry measures pupil responses to light, which can be affected by neurological differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of monocular pupillometry in differentiating between children with ASD and typically developing (TD) children.
- To identify specific pupillary light reflex (PLR) metrics that can serve as biomarkers for ASD detection.
Main Methods:
- Monocular pupillometry was performed on a cohort of children and adolescents, including 36 with ASD and 24 TD individuals.
- Statistical analyses, including multiple logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, were employed to assess the diagnostic predictive value of PLR metrics.
Main Results:
- Significant differences were observed in constriction time (Ct1) and return to baseline (RTB T75) between ASD and TD groups (p < 0.05).
- Constriction time and RTB T75 were significant predictors of ASD diagnosis, with specific thresholds yielding sensitivities of 74.8% and 69.4% respectively.
- Logistic regression models indicated that slower constriction and faster return to baseline were associated with ASD.
Conclusions:
- Monocular pupillometry effectively captures pupillary differences that aid in the detection of ASD.
- These findings support the potential of automated pupillometry as a non-invasive tool to augment ASD screening and diagnosis.
