Correlation the Stereotyped Behavior of Eye-Poking and Heart Rate Responses in Youth with Autistic Disorder

Abstract

Studied the relationship between heart rate and the stereotyped behavior of eye-poking, which was expected to cause an oculo-cardiac reflex involving heart rate deceleration. Human Ss: One male Japanese school-age child (aged 9 yrs 8 mo) (severe mental retardation and autistic disorder). One male Japanese adolescent (aged 13 yrs 6 mo) (severe mental retardation and autistic disorder). Simultaneous recordings of eye poking and EKGs were made yearly over a 4-yr period. Results show that most periods of frequent eye-poking were accompanied by a deceleration in heart rate that was regarded as an oculo-cardiac reflex. In addition, there was a correlation between the duration of the behavior of eye-poking and heart rate deceleration. (English abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2000 APA, all rights reserved)