Developmental changes in autonomic emotional response during an executive functional task: A pupillometric study during Wisconsin card sorting test

• Published in: Brain & development (Tokyo. 1979) Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 187 - 195
• Main Authors: Ohyama, Tetsuo, Kaga, Yoshimi, Goto, Yusuke, Aoyagi, Kakuro, Ishii, Sayaka, Kanemura, Hideaki, Sugita, Kanji, Aihara, Masao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2017
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Autonomic emotional response; Autonomic Nervous System - physiology; Cognition - physiology; Development; Emotions - physiology; Executive function; Executive Function - physiology; Female; Humans; Male; Neurology; Neuropsychological Tests; Pupillometry; Task Performance and Analysis; Wisconsin card sorting test; Young Adult; Development; Executive function; Wisconsin card sorting test; Autonomic emotional response; Pupillometry
• ISSN: 0387-7604; 1872-7131
• DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2016.10.002

Abstract Objective The autonomic nervous system has a deep relationship with the cognitive network when performing cognitive tasks. We hypothesize that autonomic emotional responses can affect cognitive function, especially executive function. The aim of this study was to clarify the involvement of the autonomic system during an executive functional task via developmental changes assessed using pupillometry. Subjects and methods Subjects were 16 healthy children and 9 healthy adults. Children were divided into 3 groups (Group A, 7–9 years; Group B, 10–14 years; Group C, 15–17 years). Pupil diameter was recorded using an eye mark recorder during cognitive shift (CS) during the Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST). The rate of pupil variations was integrated and compared within each group, focusing on performance during CS. Results Categories achieved (CA) in the behavioral results of WCST increased with age, with significant differences between Group A and other groups. The change of pupillary diameter was increased with CS and decreased at the correct answers after CS in adults. Changes of pupillary diameter with CS showed a linear increase with age, and the pattern of the pupillary response at the age of 10–14 years was comparable to adults. The integrated rate of pupil diameter with CS increased with age, and there was a significant difference between Group A and adults. In addition, the degree of mydriasis correlated with the number of CA. Conclusion These findings suggest that autonomic emotional response play an important role as a part of the process for executive function.