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Locus coeruleus–norepinephrine (LC-NE) system and cognitive and behavioral flexibility in autism

Poster Session B - Sunday, March 8, 2026, 8:00 – 10:00 am PDT, Fairview/Kitsilano Ballroom

Yesol Kim¹ (), Yao Yao¹, Seung-Yeol Yoon¹, Rachel Rieck¹, Grace Scott¹, Brandon Keehn¹; ¹Purdue University

Purpose: This study examined: (1) differences in LC–NE system function and cognitive flexibility between neurotypical (NT) and autistic children, and (2) associations among LC–NE activity, flexibility, and autism symptoms. Methods: Participants were 12 autistic and 21 IQ- and sex-matched NT children. Three tasks conducted include 1) Resting-state eye-tracking to assess tonic LC activity (pupil diameter), 2) Passive novelty-response task to index phasic LC activity (pupil dilation response; PDR), and 3) Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) task to assess cognitive flexibility via behavioral switch costs and ERPs (N2 and late frontal negativity during switch trials). Caregivers completed the Behavioral Flexibility Rating Scale–Revised (BFRS-R) and Social Responsiveness Scale–2 (SRS-2). Results: No significant group differences were found in tonic pupil diameter or phasic PDR (ps > .05). During the DCCS, children were slower on switch than repetition trials (p < .001), but performance did not differ by group. Across participants, larger resting pupil diameter correlated with reduced PDR (r = –.406, p = .019), driven by NT children, and with higher switch cost (r = .377, p = .033). LC activity did not relate to BFRS-R or SRS-2 scores. However, reduced behavioral flexibility (higher BFRS-R) associated with smaller switch costs (r = –.638, p = .035). ERP measures showed group-specific associations with autism traits. Conclusions: The current preliminary findings suggest altered tonic–phasic LC coupling and reduced flexibility linked to elevated tonic LC activity in autism. Despite no direct links with autism symptoms, LC–NE function appears integral to cognitive and behavioral flexibility in childhood.

Topic Area: EXECUTIVE PROCESSES: Goal maintenance & switching