Autonomic Modulation and Facial Expression in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Background: the autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can be related with abnormalities in cortical structures and cause behavior imbalances. In addition, as soon as the diagnosis is done, the better will be the prognosis. In this context, heart rate variability (HRV) stands out, which is a non-invasive tool representing autonomic modulation, with potential prognostic value. The literature showed there are no changes in HRV at rest using linear methods of analysis, but changes can be identified during tasks. Nonlinear methods of HRV are more sensitive and provide additional information to the linear. Objective: to analyze autonomic modulation using nonlinear and linear indexes of HRV in children with ASD at rest and during tasks in comparison to typical children. In addition, to correlate HRV analysis between them, also between behavior and severity of the disease. Methods: this study involves both typical children and children with ASD. Autonomic modulation will be performed using nonlinear indices (extracted from Poincaré plot, detrended fluctuation of tendency analysis and recurrence plot) and linear indices of HRV in the time (RMSSD e SDNN) and frequency domain (LF, HF, VLF). The tasks consist in games to identify and recognize faces and facial expressions. Behavior and severity of the disease will be evaluated using the Autism Behavior Checklist and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale respectively. Statistical Analysis: to identify differences between moments and protocols two-way analysis of variance will be used along with the Bonferroni post-test or Dunn post-test according to the data distribution. Statistical significance will be set at 5%.

Official Title
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Autonomic Modulation and Facial Expression in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Cross-sectional Study

Conditions
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Autistic Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Autonomic evaluation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Children with autistic disorder or typical development. Exclusion Criteria: Participants that do not participant of all evaluations. Participants with an error superior to 5% in the RR intervals series.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 3 Years
Maximum Age: 14 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Autistic Disorder<br>Age: 3 to 14 years-old Gender: male and female Autism Spectrum Disorder | Other: Autonomic evaluation<br> <br> |
| Typical<br>Age: 3 to 14 years-old Gender: male and female Typical | Other: Autonomic evaluation<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Autonomic evaluation | Heart rate variability at rest, during facial expression games and finish at rest. | June, 2017 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) |  | June, 2017 | 
| Autistic Behavior Checklist |  | June, 2017 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Autonomic Nervous System, Sympathetic Nervous System, Heart Rate