Unveiling heterogeneous gaze patterns in autistic children undergoing rTMS: insights from latent profile analysis

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a promising intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but objective markers for rTMS tolerance remain lacking. This case-control study explored gaze behavior variability toward emotional faces in ASD children undergoing rTMS, focusing on identifying subgroups associated with rTMS intolerance.

Eye-tracking data (Tobii technology, preferential-looking paradigm) were collected from 104 ASD children (48 intolerant, 56 tolerant) receiving DLPFC-targeted rTMS (left high-frequency, right low-frequency). Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) identified fixation subgroups across eight conditions. Demographic (sex, age), clinical (CARS scores) differences, and profile-tolerance associations were analyzed.

LPA revealed three gaze profiles: moderate non-preferential fixation (80.76%), low diverse fixation (9.62%), and increased fixation with mild variability (9.62%). Sex and CARS scores differed across profiles (age did not). Intolerance rates were 38.1%, 60.0%, and 100%, with profiles predicting rTMS intolerance (OR = 0.210, 95% CI: 0.079-0.557).

ASD children exhibit heterogeneous emotional face gaze patterns. Findings highlight the need for personalized rTMS interventions, especially for those with higher CARS scores and increased emotional face fixation-at elevated intolerance risk.