Sensitivity and specificity of pupillary light reflex measures for ASD using monocular pupillometry

Georgina T F Lynch; Stephen M James; Teresa A Cardon; Sterling M McPherson

doi:10.1007/s10072-022-05976-2

Sensitivity and specificity of pupillary light reflex measures for ASD using monocular pupillometry

Neurol Sci. 2022 Jul;43(7):4537-4545. doi: 10.1007/s10072-022-05976-2. Epub 2022 Mar 2.

Authors

Georgina T F Lynch¹, Stephen M James², Teresa A Cardon³, Sterling M McPherson⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA. georgina.lynch@wsu.edu.
² Sleep and Performance Research Center, College of Nursing, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA.
³ Department of Speech Language Pathology, Dallas, TX, USA.
⁴ Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA.

PMID: 35235102
DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-05976-2

Abstract

Introduction: Automated hand-held pupillometry demonstrates precision accuracy, offering promise for augmenting ASD screening.

Methods: Monocular pupillometry was examined in children and adolescents (36 ASD; 24 TD). Multiple logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analysis assessed PLR metrics and diagnostic status.

Results: Constriction time (Ct₁) (ASD: M = 0.69, SD = 0.21; TD: M = 0.82, SD = 0.18; t(58 = 2.37; p = 0.02) and return to baseline (RTB T75) (ASD: M = 2.93, SD = 1.21; TD: M = 2.32, SD = 1.08; t(58) = - 2.03; p = 0.04) predicted ASD (β = - 1.31, OR = 0.27; RTB T75, β = 0.156, OR = 1.162). Sensitivity = 74.8%, when RTB ≥ 1.83 s and 69.4% when Ct₁ = 0.785 s.

Conclusion: Findings suggest monocular pupillometry captures differences detecting ASD.

Keywords: Autism; Biomarker; Pupillary light reflex; Screening; Technology.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Autism Spectrum Disorder*
Child
Humans
Light
Reflex, Pupillary* / physiology
Sensitivity and Specificity