Study reveals differences in face processing among children with autism

Researchers from Yale University School of Medicine have revealed differences in how the brains of children with autism spectrum disorder process human faces compared to those of non-autistic children, noting that these differences appear in early stages of visual processing.

The Science Daily website reported on Tuesday that the study, published in the journal Nature Mental Health, showed that neural signals associated with face recognition become more specialized with age in children without autism, whereas this specialization does not develop in the same way in autistic children.

Research Methodology

The researchers relied on analyzing electroencephalogram data from approximately 400 children, using 128 electrodes to monitor neural activity, along with machine learning techniques to identify neural patterns associated with viewing faces and objects.

The results showed that differences in face processing may begin before the appearance of the neural signal known as 'N170', which is typically observed about 170 milliseconds after seeing a face, suggesting that these differences may arise at earlier stages of visual processing than previously thought.

Future Prospects

The researchers explained that the results could contribute to a deeper understanding of neural development in autistic children and guide future research to explore biomarkers that help improve diagnostic assessment and develop support methods that account for individual needs.

The researchers emphasized that the results are still preliminary and do not constitute an approved diagnostic test, stressing that autism spectrum disorder does not necessarily imply difficulties requiring intervention, as children's needs vary from case to case.

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts socially, and their behavioral patterns and interests, with its signs usually appearing in early childhood, although its manifestations and degrees vary from person to person.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)