Prolonged focus on faces with positive expressions could be experienced by individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers have shed light on the social phenotype of individuals with Angelman syndrome (AS). The study, titled "Social attention and social-emotional modulation of attention in Angelman syndrome: an eye-tracking study," explored the attention patterns of people with AS in response to positive facial emotions.
The research involved 24 participants with AS, with a mean age of 11.8 years, and a control group of 21 children matched by mental age. The control group consisted of 6 girls and 15 boys, with a mean age of 23 months.
All participants were shown videos of an unfamiliar actor under two conditions: playful with positive facial emotions and neutral with neutral facial expressions. The videos did not provide real-life interactions, but this is the first controlled study focusing on social attention and social modulation of attention in individuals with AS.
The study found that positive facial emotions, such as happiness and joy, were attention-grabbing for people with AS. However, they didn't spend as much time looking at them as children without AS. Compared to the control group, people with AS spent significantly less time looking at the screen. A smaller proportion of time looking at faces over actions was also observed in people with AS compared to the control group.
Interestingly, being playful was more engaging for all participants, as they spent more time looking at the actor's face when the actor showed positive facial emotions. However, the researchers observed a negative correlation between age and the amount of time people with AS spent looking at the screen.
People with AS are known for their exuberant personalities, easily excitable, frequently smiling and laughing, and highly driven toward social interactions. Yet, they often have a short attention span and are hyperactive or restless, which may keep them from connecting with people in social environments.
This study provides new insights into the social phenotype of the understudied population with Angelman syndrome. It underscores the need for further research to better understand the unique social experiences of individuals with AS and to develop strategies to support their social interactions.
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