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Enhanced pupillary light reflex in infancy is associated with autism diagnosis in toddlerhood

Author

Listed:
  • Pär Nyström

    (Uppsala University)

  • Teodora Gliga

    (University of London)

  • Elisabeth Nilsson Jobs

    (Uppsala University)

  • Gustaf Gredebäck

    (Uppsala University)

  • Tony Charman

    (King’s College London)

  • Mark H. Johnson

    (University of London
    University of Cambridge)

  • Sven Bölte

    (Karolinska Institutet
    Stockholm County Council)

  • Terje Falck-Ytter

    (Uppsala University
    Karolinska Institutet
    Stockholm County Council
    Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study (SCAS))

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting around 1% of the population. We previously discovered that infant siblings of children with ASD had stronger pupillary light reflexes compared to low-risk infants, a result which contrasts sharply with the weak pupillary light reflex typically seen in both children and adults with ASD. Here, we show that on average the relative constriction of the pupillary light reflex is larger in 9–10-month-old high risk infant siblings who receive an ASD diagnosis at 36 months, compared both to those who do not and to low-risk controls. We also found that the magnitude of the pupillary light reflex in infancy is associated with symptom severity at follow-up. This study indicates an important role of sensory atypicalities in the etiology of ASD, and suggests that pupillometry, if further developed and refined, could facilitate risk assessment in infants.

Suggested Citation

  • Pär Nyström & Teodora Gliga & Elisabeth Nilsson Jobs & Gustaf Gredebäck & Tony Charman & Mark H. Johnson & Sven Bölte & Terje Falck-Ytter, 2018. "Enhanced pupillary light reflex in infancy is associated with autism diagnosis in toddlerhood," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-5, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-03985-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03985-4
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