Bumetanide-related effect on attention to face parts in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder using the eye tracking algorithm

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairment in social communication and repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. It has been shown that a diuretic drug named bumetanide had a considerable influence on improving social communication in these patients. One of the important features in making social communication is eye contact; this research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of this medication on improving pattern of eye contact and the other parts of the face in children and adolescents with ASD.  

This single group clinical trial research is conducted on 20 children and adolescents aged from 7 to 15 years old with high function Autism Spectrum Disorder. After discontinuing the previously taking medications, Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Kiddie- Schedule for Affective and Schizophrenia (KSADS), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and Children-Revised Form (WISC-R) were administered to each participant. A dose of 1 mg Bumetanide (0.5 mg in the morning and 0.5 mg in the evening) during 90 Days was given to the participants. Eye tracking evaluation administered while the participants were looking at the pictures of faces before and after the intervention. The number and duration of fixation to each area in each image as the variables recorded.

A comparison of pre and post-intervention showed no significant differences in terms of the eye tracking variables.

Using Bumetanide did not have any significant effect on the amount of looking at the eyes in children and adolescents with ASD, despite improved symptoms and severity of autism and some behavioral problems.