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Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos

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Predictability modulates neural response to eye contact in ASD.

Adam J Naples¹, Jennifer H Foss-Feig^2,3, Julie M Wolf⁴

¹Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. adam.naples@yale.edu.

Molecular Autism

|October 30, 2022

Summary

Eye-contact processing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) varies with predictability. Unpredictable eye-contact heightened neural responses in ASD, linked to symptom severity, while predictable eye-contact normalized responses.

Keywords:

Autism ERP Eye tracking N170 P300 Social neuroscience

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Last Updated: Aug 23, 2025

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Published on: October 4, 2018

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Developmental Psychology
Social Cognition

Background:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by early and persistent deficits in eye-contact.
The neural underpinnings of these social interaction challenges remain unclear.
Predictability in social interactions may influence neural processing in ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how the predictability of eye-contact influences neural responses in individuals with ASD.
To examine the impact of predictable versus unpredictable social cues on eye-contact processing.

Main Methods:

An interactive social simulation using eye-tracking technology was employed.
Neural responses were measured using N170 and P300 event-related potentials (ERPs).
Participants included adults with ASD and typically developing (TD) adults under predictable and unpredictable eye-contact conditions.

Main Results:

In unpredictable conditions, ASD individuals showed heightened N170 and P300 responses, correlating with sensory and anxiety symptoms.
In predictable conditions, ASD individuals exhibited slower N170s but no significant differences in N170 or P300 amplitude compared to TD controls.
Neural responses to eye-contact in ASD are modulated by the predictability of the social context.

Conclusions:

Neural processing of eye-contact in ASD is not uniformly attenuated but varies based on social context predictability.
Difficulties in anticipating and expecting eye-contact, beyond mere perception, may contribute to social interaction vulnerabilities in ASD.
Future research should explore the generalizability of these findings across diverse age groups, sexes, and cognitive abilities.