Print  Close

Neural Correlates of Eye-Gaze Perception as a function of Autism Trait Severity in Adults

Poster No:

735 

Submission Type:

Abstract Submission 

Authors:

Shadi Bagherzadeh Azbari1, Changsong Zhou2, Andrea Hildebrandt3, Gilbert Ka Bo Lau4, Werner Sommer5, Ming Ann LUI4

Institutions:

1Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany, 2Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon , Hong Kong, 3University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany, 4Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 5Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany

First Author:

Shadi Bagherzadeh Azbari, Dr.  
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Berlin, Germany

Co-Author(s):

Changsong Zhou, Prof. Dr,  
Hong Kong Baptist University
Kowloon , Hong Kong
Andrea Hildebrandt, Prof. Dr.  
University of Oldenburg
Oldenburg, Germany
Gilbert Ka Bo Lau  
Hong Kong Baptist University
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Werner Sommer  
Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Ming Ann LUI, Prof. Dr.  
Hong Kong Baptist University
Kowloon, Hong Kong

Introduction:

Humans as social species intensely use facial expressions and eye gaze for transmitting social signals. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) exhibit atypical face processing, including atypical attention to eye gaze and emotional expression identification.

Methods:

We investigated how gaze and expression perception, assessed by event-related brain potentials (ERPs) depends on autism trait severity. ERPs were recorded from 46 EEG channels in 150 young adults - diagnosed with the autism spectrum- to the presentation of pictures of faces with emotional expressions, which had to be judged for gaze changes.
Supporting Image: Screenshot2023-11-27at222101.png
   ·Trial Scheme
 

Results:

The mean age of the participants was 21.27 years (SD: 3.23, Range [19:23], and 58% of them were female. In line with previous studies, N170
amplitudes were larger to averted than to direct gaze. This effect was negatively correlated with the participant's scores of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) total score scale. The early posterior negativity (EPN) was also interpreted as a signal of enhanced attention to angry
emotion relative to neutral facial expressions.

Conclusions:

The study suggests decreased sensitivity in the eye contact detection system for individuals with high autism traits.

Emotion, Motivation and Social Neuroscience:

Emotional Perception 1

Modeling and Analysis Methods:

EEG/MEG Modeling and Analysis 2

Keywords:

ADULTS
Autism
Electroencephaolography (EEG)
Emotions

1|2Indicates the priority used for review

Provide references using author date format

Bagherzadeh-Azbari S, Lau GKB, Ouyang G, Zhou C, Hildebrandt A, Sommer W and Lui M (2023) Neural Correlates of Eye-Gaze Perception as a function of Autism Trait Severity in Adults. (in prepration)