The impact of gender differences and adverse childhood experiences on adult with autism spectrum disorder

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16653
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
• Research Institution: Nara Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Okazaki Kosuke 奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 研究員 (70736925)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 自閉スペクトラム症 / 逆境的小児期体験 / 眼球運動 / 機械学習

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we examined the characteristics of adult with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using gender differences, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and other features. The results of this study suggest that, in ASD, experiences of childhood sexual abuse among ACEs may affect event-related potentials in adulthood. Additionally, using eye-tracking activity during the Rorschach test and machine learning models to examine ASD characteristics, it was found that in ASD, the gaze speed when transitioning to other areas of interest is slower compared to neurotypical adults.

Free Research Field

神経発達症

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでに自閉スペクトラム症（以下、ASD）を含む神経発達症の患者において逆境的小児期体験の高さは報告されてきた。本研究において、逆境的小児期体験、なかでも性的虐待が成人期ASDの脳機能に何らかの影響を及ぼし得ることが示されたことは、今後のASDの診断、治療の一助となりうることから学術的、社会的意義は高いと考えられる。また、これまでに示唆されていなかったASDの特徴が得られたことは、今後のASD研究の発展に寄与することができると考えられる。