Evaluation of Expression Recognition Function in Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Abstract

One of the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is social disorder. The specificity of facial and expression recognition for people with ASD is gathering attention as a factor of this social disorder. The study examined the hemodynamic activities in the prefrontal cortex using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) when a person with ASD performed an expression recognition task. The subjects were twenty males (18 -22 years old) with ASD and without intellectual disabilities. Forty-five healthy males matched for age and sex were included as a control group. In both groups, the degree of autistic tendencies was evaluated using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Using eight standard emotional expressions of Japanese people, two expression recognition tasks were set. An NIRS was used to measure the prefrontal cortex blood mobilization during the expression-processing process. The AQ was significantly higher in the ASD group, while the rate of overall correct expression response was significantly lower (p < 0.001). A negative correlation was found when the relationship between the AQ and the rate of overall correct expression response was evaluated by combining the results of the control group with those of the ASD group (ρ = −0.40 p < 0.001). In the automatic expression-processing task, no activation in the prefrontal cortex was found in either the ASD or the control group. In the conscious expression-processing task, the activation of the left and right lateral prefrontal cortex was weaker in the ASD group compared to the control group. Unlike in the control group, a mild activation of posterior prefrontal cortex was found in the ASD group. The expression-processing process of the ASD group was found to be different from that of the control group. NIRS was effective in detecting a brain function disorder in people with ASD during an expression-processing process.

Bilateral Prefrontal Cortex Blood Flow Dynamics during Silent and Oral Reading Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

“…The characteristics of NIRS include the following : 1) It is non-invasive and is widely used in studies of brain function from neonates to schoolchildren (6-10) ; 2) High temporal resolution measurements can be made every 0.1 second, and changes in brain function can be observed over time by measuring oxy-Hb concentration and other parameters (8, 10) ; 3) The device is small and portable, allowing testing at any location, such as the bedside ; 4) The device does not interfere much with the subject's behavior, allowing measurement to be taken in a position similar to that observed in daily life, and is quiet. These features allow for the evaluation of brain function in children and the conduct of clinical research to elucidate the pathology of various neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder, thus helping in the development of treatment methods (7,8,10).…”

“…Conversely, when brain activity decreases, the oxy-Hb concentration in the region likewise decreases. NIRS is minimally invasive and is widely used to study brain function from neonates to adults (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11).…”

Usefulness of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) for evaluating drug effects and improvements in medication adherence in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

“…Although adherence to medication is considered to be a key factor for the successful treatment of them, most do not adhere to their pharmacotherapy regimen (12). In recent years, various studies (13)(14)(15)(16) have focused on the use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which visualizes the activity state of the brain in real time. NIRS is a method of capturing changes in cerebral blood flow caused by neural activity using near-infrared light.…”