The hypothesis that autism spectrum disorder may be characterized as a rhythmic disturbance

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K01923
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Childhood science (childhood environment science)
• Research Institution: Doshisha University
• Principal Investigator: Kato Masaharu 同志社大学, 赤ちゃん学研究センター, 准教授 (20408470)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 自閉症スペクトラム / 睡眠障害

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Initially, we planned to observe changes in symptoms characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly marked in patients with sleep disorders by focusing on sleep rhythms as one of the rhythm disorders and conducting sleep therapy (intervention) for patients with sleep disorders. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, we could not complete the study at a collaborating institution and instead opted to perform statistical analysis using a large sample size. As a result, we developed an algorithm that enables the pre-screening of infants suspected to be related to ASD.

Free Research Field

発達科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

乳幼児期の睡眠リズムの乱れと将来的な自閉症スペクトラムのリスクは相関があるということが疫学研究で報告されており、本アルゴリズムを使用することで、自閉症スペクトラムと診断される可能性の高い人を早期に発見できるだろう。そして、早期に自閉症スペクトラムを発見することで早期介入が可能になり、その後の自閉症スペクトラム当事者のQOLの向上につながることから、本研究は学術的意義を超え、社会的にも意義があるだろう。