YSM Issue 86.3

A Child’s Focus
Breakthroughs in Early
Autism Detection in Infants
By Naaman Mehta
About 10 in every 1,000 children in
the United States are diagnosed
with Autism Spectrum Disorders
(ASD). Research has revealed that many of
the behaviors typical to the disorder manifest
themselves early in development. So the
question becomes, as Professor Katarzyna
Chawarska of the Yale School of Medicine
stated, “Why weren’t we studying signs of
autism in toddlers?”
Chawarska and her colleagues noticed a lack
of specialized clinics for children under three
years of age and decided to open such a clinic
for very young but already symptomatic children.
Recently, her lab discovered a method
of detecting prodromal symptoms of ASD
in infants as young as six months.
A
Autism and Its Roots
most likely a genetic disorder that results from
a plethora of genetic mutations, or epigenetic
factors that leave the DNA unchanged, but
still influence gene expression.
Researchers suggest two likely biological
explanations, though
A
neither have been
proven. First, white matter tracts in the brain
have been linked to ASD patients. The structure
of neuronal networks can be compared
to an interconnected railroad track system,
where white matter tracts are the physical
railroad tracks separating each city’s train station,
or each area of the brain. In individuals
with autism, these railroad tracks have an
atypical width and length: white matter tracts
which lead to uncoordinated brain activity.
This lack of synchronization between brain
B
activity in the frontal and posterior areas
inhibits communication and coordination
between the two brain areas. Recent research
has also shown a physical overgrowth of the
head in many autistic patients, characterized
by speedy growth of the head during early
development immediately after conception
and subsequent slower growth during later
months of development. Despite discoveries
of these symptoms, the biological roots of
4 BIOL PSYCHIATRY ]]]];]:]]]–]]] K. Ch
F(3,245) ¼ 111.08, p .001, and no interaction (p ¼
with ASD spent a lesser proportion of time than the t
All infants spent the least proportion of time looking
in the moving toys condition (Figure 3B). The eff
effect sizes based on marginal means for planned
condition: F(3,245) ¼ 192. 44, p .0001, but no in
Neither the VR (p ¼ .386) nor the RL (p ¼ .4
groups looking at the person (Figure 2B) across
(p ¼ .007), but not RL (p ¼ .321), was significant.
between the ASD and the other groups were d ¼ .33
.34 (HR-TYP), and d ¼ .29 (LR-TYP).
the disorder are still unknown Toys. A group to researchers.
condition analysis on %Toys
effect of group (p ¼ .373) (Figure 2C), a signifi
Autism Detection
.903). As expected, all infants spent the highest
time looking at the toys in the moving toys conditio
contributed significantly to the model.
Many parents take notice of abnormal
4 BIOL PSYCHIATRY ]]]];]:]]]–]]]
social behavior within Attention the first to Facial 18 Features months
K. Chawarska et al. A group condition analysis on %Face indic
of raising their infants, ficantand effect80 of group: percent F(3,245) of ¼ 3.92, p ¼ .009, a
F(3,245) ¼ 111.08, p .001, and no interaction (p ¼ .339). Infants F(3,245) ¼ 88.00, p .001), but no interaction (p ¼
autism cases are detected
with ASD spent a lesser proportion of time than the three remaining with ASD spent a significantly lower proportion of t
groups looking at the person (Figure 2B) across all conditions. by the 2 face years than of the three age. remaining For groups, though
All infants spent the least proportion of time looking at the person between ASD and LR-TYP became marginally signific
in the moving toys condition (Figure 3B). The effect of the VR example, after correcting infants for multiple who later comparisons (Figure 2
(p ¼ .007), but not RL (p ¼ .321), was significant. The Cohen’s d spent more time looking at the actress’ face in the
Autism is a neurological
disorder that is
between the ASD and the other groups were d ¼ .33 (HR-ATYP), d ¼a lack and moving of childish toys conditions bab-
(Figure 3D). E
develop ASD often exhibit
effect sizes based on marginal means for planned comparisons and dyadic bid conditions as compared with
.34 (HR-TYP), and d ¼ .29 (LR-TYP).
and RL covariates were both significant (p ¼ .
defined by impaired
Toys. A group condition analysis on %Toys indicated no bling, .028, crying, respectively). and The gestur-
Cohen’s d effect sizes base
When a baby or child is
effect of group (p ¼ .373) (Figure 2C), a significant effect of means for planned comparisons between the ASD
social interaction. Its
condition: F(3,245) ¼ 192. 44, p .0001, but no interaction (p ¼ing.
groups were d ¼ .32 (HR-ATYP), d ¼ .47 (HR-TYP)
causes are rooted in
.903). As expected, all infants spent the highest proportion of brought (LR-TYP). into a specialized
time looking at the toys in the moving toys condition (Figure 3C). Subsequently, we examined the proportion o
early development, and
Neither the VR (p ¼ .386) nor the RL (p ¼ .427) covariate clinic, looking doctors at the eyes may and analyze mouth. A group cond
contributed significantly to the model.
as the brain is shaped
specific
on %Eyes
face
showed
and gaze
no effect
processing
(Figure 3E), abnormalities and interactionin
effect (p ¼ .412).
of group (p ¼ .065
a significant effect of condition, F(3,245) ¼ 27
immensely by experience,
environmental
ficant effect of group: F(3,245) ¼ 3.92, p ¼ .009, and condition: addition
Attention to Facial Features
A group condition analysis on %Face indicated a signi-
(p ¼ .785) and RL (p ¼ .997) were not significant. Al
more time
to
looking
testing
at the
for
eyesthe
in the two conditions
F(3,245) ¼ 88.00, p .001), but no interaction (p ¼ .595). Infants
factors are also thought B
Figure 1. (A) Frame
with ASD spent
IMAGE from
a significantly
COURTESY video stimulus OF
lower
KATARZYNA with (B) regions
proportion
CHAWARSKA
of interest used
of time looking at psychopathology a social bid (joint attention characteristic
indicated of only ASD. a significant In recent effect of condition, F(3
and dyadic bid) as comp
in analysis. The regions of interest: scene (face [eyes + mouth] person sandwich and moving toys. An analogous analysi
to contribute to the The scene shown on the monitor serves toys as the a background), face stimulus than the person three for (face remaining infants body), groups, toys, in a eyes, given though and mouth. the trial contrast
between ASD and LR-TYP became marginally significant (p ¼ .064)
p .001 (Figure 3F), but no effect of group (p ¼ .08
intensity of the disorder.
At its roots, ASD is the screen, with regions of interest used p in ¼ .002, but no group condition interaction (p ¼ .830). Post hoc
(Image A). The general outline of the main afterfeatures correcting forobserved multiple comparisons by the (Figure infant 2D). All on infants years, the youngest age
and no interaction (p ¼ .785). The effect of the RL
spent more time looking at the actress’ face in the joint attention
andthe dyadic analysis bid conditions process as compared (Image withB).
the sandwich at which significant ASD (p ¼ .026), has but been the effect of the VR cov
comparisons for group effects indicated that infants with ASD (p ¼ .072).
and moving toys conditions (Figure 3D). Effects of VR
spent less time looking at the scene than the three comparison
18 Yale Scientific Magazine | April 2013 and RL covariates were both significant (p ¼ .045 and p ¼
groups (Figure 2A). All infants spent more time looking at the scene www.yalescientific.org
.028, respectively). The Cohen’s d effect sizes based on marginal
in the
means
condition
for planned
involving
comparisons
moving toys
between
(Figure
the
3A).
ASD
The
and
effect
the other
of Discussion
visual
groups
reception
were
(VR)
d ¼
(p
.32
¼
(HR-ATYP),
.007), but
d
not
¼ .47
receptive
(HR-TYP),
language
and d ¼
(RL)
.33
(p ¼
(LR-TYP).
.339), was significant. The Cohen’s d effect sizes based on The study examined spontaneous social mo