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Abstract
Although impairment in sensory integration is suggested in the autism spectrum (AS), empirical evidences remain equivocal. We assessed the integration of low-level visual and tactile information within and across modalities in AS and typically developing (TD) individuals. TD individuals demonstrated increased redundancy gain for cross-modal relative to double tactile or visual stimulation, while AS individuals showed similar redundancy gain between cross-modal and double tactile conditions. We further observed that violation of the race model inequality for cross-modal conditions was observed over a wider proportion of the reaction times distribution in TD than AS individuals. Importantly, the reduced cross-modal integration in AS individuals was not related to atypical attentional shift between modalities. We conclude that AS individuals displays selective decrease of cross-modal integration of low-level information.
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202
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Kojovic N, Ben Hadid L, Franchini M, Schaer M. Sensory Processing Issues and Their Association with Social Difficulties in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Clin Med 2019; 8:E1508. [PMID: 31547076 PMCID: PMC6833094 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8101508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensory processing issues have been frequently reported in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), but their relationship with social and overall adaptive functioning has not been extensively characterized to date. Here, we investigate how sensory processing atypicalities relate with deficits in social skills, impaired social cognition, and general adaptive functioning in a group of preschoolers with ASD. Sixty-four children with ASD aged 3 to 6 were included in this study, along with 36 age-matched typically-developing (TD) peers. Parent-reported measures of sensory processing, social difficulties and overall adaptive functioning were collected for all children. We also obtained precise measures of social attention deployment using a custom-design eye-tracking task depicting naturalistic social scenes. Within the group of children with ASD, higher intensities of sensory issues were associated with more prominent social difficulties and lower adaptive functioning. We also found that children with ASD who had more sensory issues showed visual exploration patterns of social scenes that strongly deviated from the one seen in the TD group. The association of sensory processing atypicalities with "higher-order" functional domains such as social and adaptive functioning in children with ASD stresses the importance of further research on sensory symptoms in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Kojovic
- University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland (M.S.)
| | | | | | - Marie Schaer
- University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland (M.S.)
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203
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Cechmanek B, Johnston H, Vazhappilly S, Lebel C, Bray S. Somatosensory Regions Show Limited Functional Connectivity Differences in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Brain Connect 2019; 8:558-566. [PMID: 30411970 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2018.0614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
An estimated 70-90% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have sensory symptoms, which may present as hyper- or hyporesponsivity in one or more sensory modalities. These sensitivities correlate with social symptoms, activity, and social interaction levels. Interestingly, sensory symptoms appear to be most prevalent in late childhood, suggesting a developmental component. Although the neural basis of sensory sensitivities remains unclear, atypical functional connectivity of sensory brain regions has been suggested as a potential mechanism. Tactile sensitivities are among the most predictive of social functioning, yet no studies to our knowledge have examined somatosensory functional connectivity in children and adolescents with ASD, when symptoms are typically most prominent. In this study, we used human data from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE-I) to assess functional connectivity differences of somatosensory regions during resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging, in youth aged 8-15 years. After head motion exclusion, our sample included 67 participants with ASD and 121 typically developing controls. We additionally examined associations between functional connectivity and age, as well as ASD symptom severity. Together, these seed-based analyses showed limited differences in functional connectivity between groups, either to hypothesized target regions or in terms of global connectivity. Our findings suggest that hyper- or hyposomatosensory functional connectivity at rest is not a population-level feature in ASD. However, this does not preclude increased variability of somatosensory networks across the ASD population. Furthermore, as sensory sensitivities were not specifically assessed in this sample, future studies may be better able to identify patterns of functional connectivity, reflecting individual differences in sensory symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Cechmanek
- 1 Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada .,2 Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada .,3 Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada
| | - Harriet Johnston
- 2 Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada .,3 Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada .,4 Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada
| | - Sherene Vazhappilly
- 2 Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada .,3 Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada .,5 Neuroscience Program, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada
| | - Catherine Lebel
- 2 Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada .,3 Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada .,6 Department of Radiology and Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada .,7 Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada
| | - Signe Bray
- 2 Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada .,3 Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada .,6 Department of Radiology and Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada .,7 Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada
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204
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Pyrroloquinoline quinone improves abnormal functional development of whisker-mediated tactile perception and social behaviors caused by neonatal whisker trimming. Neurosci Lett 2019; 705:67-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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205
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Kovarski K, Mennella R, Wong SM, Dunkley BT, Taylor MJ, Batty M. Enhanced Early Visual Responses During Implicit Emotional Faces Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:871-886. [PMID: 30374763 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3787-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Research on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has focused on processing of socially-relevant stimuli, such as faces. Nonetheless, before being 'social', faces are visual stimuli. The present magnetoencephalography study investigated the time course of brain activity during an implicit emotional task in visual emotion-related regions in 19 adults with ASD (mean age 26.3 ± 4.4) and 19 typically developed controls (26.4 ± 4). The results confirmed previously-reported differences between groups in brain responses to emotion and a hypo-activation in the ASD group in the right fusiform gyrus around 150 ms. However, the ASD group also presented early enhanced activity in the occipital region. These results support that impaired face processing in ASD might be sustained by atypical responses in primary visual areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Kovarski
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Centre Universitaire de PédoPsychiatrie, Tours, France. .,Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for the Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Rocco Mennella
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for the Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Laboratoire de neurosciences cognitives, INSERM U960, Département d'études cognitives, École Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Simeon M Wong
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for the Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Neurosciences & Mental Health Program, The Hospital for the Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Benjamin T Dunkley
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for the Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Neurosciences & Mental Health Program, The Hospital for the Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Margot J Taylor
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for the Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Neurosciences & Mental Health Program, The Hospital for the Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Magali Batty
- CERPPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
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206
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Ciarrusta J, O'Muircheartaigh J, Dimitrova R, Batalle D, Cordero-Grande L, Price A, Hughes E, Steinweg JK, Kangas J, Perry E, Javed A, Stoencheva V, Akolekar R, Victor S, Hajnal J, Murphy D, Edwards D, Arichi T, McAlonan G. Social Brain Functional Maturation in Newborn Infants With and Without a Family History of Autism Spectrum Disorder. JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2:e191868. [PMID: 30951164 PMCID: PMC6450332 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.1868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE What is inherited or acquired in neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is not a fixed outcome, but instead is a vulnerability to a spectrum of traits, especially social difficulties. Identifying the biological mechanisms associated with vulnerability requires looking as early in life as possible, before the brain is shaped by postnatal mechanisms and/or the experiences of living with these traits. Animal studies suggest that susceptibility to neurodevelopmental disorders arises when genetic and/or environmental risks for these conditions alter patterns of synchronous brain activity in the perinatal period, but this has never been examined in human neonates. OBJECTIVE To assess whether alternation of functional maturation of social brain circuits is associated with a family history of ASD in newborns. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In this cohort study of 36 neonates with and without a family history of ASD, neonates underwent magnetic resonance imaging at St Thomas Hospital in London, England, using a dedicated neonatal brain imaging system between June 23, 2015, and August 1, 2018. Neonates with a first-degree relative with ASD (R+) and therefore vulnerable to autistic traits and neonates without a family history (R-) were recruited for the study. Synchronous neural activity in brain regions linked to social function was compared. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Regions responsible for social function were selected with reference to a published meta-analysis and the level of synchronous activity within each region was used as a measure of local functional connectivity in a regional homogeneity analysis. Group differences, controlling for sex, age at birth, age at scan, and group × age interactions, were examined. RESULTS The final data set consisted of 18 R+ infants (13 male; median [range] postmenstrual age at scan, 42.93 [40.00-44.86] weeks) and 18 R- infants (13 male; median [range] postmenstrual age at scan, 42.50 [39.29-44.58] weeks). Neonates who were R+ had significantly higher levels of synchronous activity in the right posterior fusiform (t = 2.48; P = .04) and left parietal cortices (t = 3.96; P = .04). In addition, there was a significant group × age interaction within the anterior segment of the left insula (t = 3.03; P = .04) and cingulate cortices (right anterior: t = 3.00; P = .03; left anterior: t = 2.81; P = .03; right posterior: t = 2.77; P = .03; left posterior: t = 2.55; P = .03). In R+ infants, levels of synchronous activity decreased over 39 to 45 weeks' postmenstrual age, whereas synchronous activity levels increased in R- infants over the same period. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Synchronous activity is required during maturation of functionally connected networks. This study found that in newborn humans, having a first-degree relative with ASD was associated with higher levels of local functional connectivity and dysmaturation of interconnected regions responsible for processing higher-order social information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Ciarrusta
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan O'Muircheartaigh
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ralica Dimitrova
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dafnis Batalle
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lucilio Cordero-Grande
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony Price
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emer Hughes
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Johannes Klaus Steinweg
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Johanna Kangas
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Perry
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ayesha Javed
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vladimira Stoencheva
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Suresh Victor
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Hajnal
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Declan Murphy
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Edwards
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tomoki Arichi
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Grainne McAlonan
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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207
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Resting-state abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3892. [PMID: 30846796 PMCID: PMC6405852 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40427-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The gold standard for clinical assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) relies on assessing behavior via semi-structured play-based interviews and parent interviews. Although these methods show good sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing ASD cases, behavioral assessments alone may hinder the identification of asymptomatic at-risk group. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) could be an appropriate approach to produce objective neural markers to supplement behavioral assessments due to its non-invasive and task-free nature. Previous neuroimaging studies reported inconsistent resting-state abnormalities in ASD, which may be explained by small sample sizes and phenotypic heterogeneity in ASD subjects, and/or the use of different analytical methods across studies. The current study aims to investigate the local resting-state abnormalities of ASD regardless of subject age, IQ, gender, disease severity and methodological differences, using activation likelihood estimation (ALE). MEDLINE/PubMed databases were searched for whole-brain rs-fMRI studies on ASD published until Feb 2018. Eight experiments involving 424 subjects were included in the ALE meta-analysis. We demonstrate two ASD-related resting-state findings: local underconnectivity in the dorsal posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and in the right medial paracentral lobule. This study contributes to uncovering a consistent pattern of resting-state local abnormalities that may serve as potential neurobiological markers for ASD.
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208
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Wolff JJ, Dimian AF, Botteron KN, Dager SR, Elison JT, Estes AM, Hazlett HC, Schultz RT, Zwaigenbaum L, Piven J. A longitudinal study of parent-reported sensory responsiveness in toddlers at-risk for autism. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2019; 60:314-324. [PMID: 30350375 PMCID: PMC8919956 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atypical sensory responsivity and sensory interests are now included in the DSM 5 diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) under the broad domain of restricted and repetitive behavior (RRB). However, relatively little is known about the emergence of sensory-related features and their relation to conventionally defined RRB in the first years of life. METHODS Prospective, longitudinal parent-report data using the Sensory Experiences Questionnaire (SEQ) were collected for 331 high-risk toddlers (74 of whom met diagnostic criteria for ASD at age 2) and 135 low-risk controls. Longitudinal profiles for SEQ scores were compared between groups across ages 12-24 months. Associations between SEQ measures and measures of RRB subtypes (based on the Repetitive Behavior Scale, Revised) were also examined. RESULTS Longitudinal profiles for all SEQ scores significantly differed between groups. SEQ scores were elevated for the ASD group from age 12 months, with differences becoming more pronounced across the 12-24 month interval. At both 12 and 24 months, most measures derived from the SEQ were significantly associated with all subtypes of RRB. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that differences in sensory responsivity may be evident in high-risk infants later diagnosed with ASD in early toddlerhood, and that the magnitude of these differences increases over the second year of life. The high degree of association between SEQ scores and RRB supports the conceptual alignment of these features but also raises questions as to explanatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason J. Wolff
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Adele F. Dimian
- Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kelly N. Botteron
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stephen R. Dager
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jed T. Elison
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, MN, USA
| | - Annette M. Estes
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Heather C. Hazlett
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Robert T. Schultz
- Center for Autism Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Joseph Piven
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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209
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Huang TN, Yen TL, Qiu LR, Chuang HC, Lerch JP, Hsueh YP. Haploinsufficiency of autism causative gene Tbr1 impairs olfactory discrimination and neuronal activation of the olfactory system in mice. Mol Autism 2019; 10:5. [PMID: 30792833 PMCID: PMC6371489 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-019-0257-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) exhibit two clusters of core symptoms, i.e., social and communication impairment, and repetitive behaviors and sensory abnormalities. Our previous study demonstrated that TBR1, a causative gene of ASD, controls axonal projection and neuronal activation of amygdala and regulates social interaction and vocal communication in a mouse model. Behavioral defects caused by Tbr1 haploinsufficiency can be ameliorated by increasing neural activity via D-cycloserine treatment, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) coagonist. In this report, we investigate the role of TBR1 in regulating olfaction and test whether D-cycloserine can also improve olfactory defects in Tbr1 mutant mice. Methods We used Tbr1+/− mice as a model to investigate the function of TBR1 in olfactory sensation and discrimination of non-social odors. We employed a behavioral assay to characterize the olfactory defects of Tbr1+/− mice. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological analysis were applied to characterize anatomical features. Immunostaining was performed to further analyze differences in expression of TBR1 subfamily members (namely TBR1, TBR2, and TBX21), interneuron populations, and dendritic abnormalities in olfactory bulbs. Finally, C-FOS staining was used to monitor neuronal activation of the olfactory system upon odor stimulation. Results Tbr1+/− mice exhibited smaller olfactory bulbs and anterior commissures, reduced interneuron populations, and an abnormal dendritic morphology of mitral cells in the olfactory bulbs. Tbr1 haploinsufficiency specifically impaired olfactory discrimination but not olfactory sensation. Neuronal activation upon odorant stimulation was reduced in the glomerular layer of Tbr1+/− olfactory bulbs. Furthermore, although the sizes of piriform and perirhinal cortices were not affected by Tbr1 deficiency, neuronal activation was reduced in these two cortical regions in response to odorant stimulation. These results suggest an impairment of neuronal activation in olfactory bulbs and defective connectivity from olfactory bulbs to the upper olfactory system in Tbr1+/− mice. Systemic administration of D-cycloserine, an NMDAR co-agonist, ameliorated olfactory discrimination in Tbr1+/− mice, suggesting that increased neuronal activity has a beneficial effect on Tbr1 deficiency. Conclusions Tbr1 regulates neural circuits and activity in the olfactory system to control olfaction. Tbr1+/− mice can serve as a suitable model for revealing how an autism causative gene controls neuronal circuits, neural activity, and autism-related behaviors. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13229-019-0257-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzyy-Nan Huang
- 1Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Li Yen
- 1Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan
| | - Lily R Qiu
- 2Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hsiu-Chun Chuang
- 1Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan.,4Present address: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Jason P Lerch
- 2Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,3Department of Medical Biophysics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yi-Ping Hsueh
- 1Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan
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210
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McKinnon CJ, Eggebrecht AT, Todorov A, Wolff JJ, Elison JT, Adams CM, Snyder AZ, Estes AM, Zwaigenbaum L, Botteron KN, McKinstry RC, Marrus N, Evans A, Hazlett HC, Dager SR, Paterson SJ, Pandey J, Schultz RT, Styner MA, Gerig G, Schlaggar BL, Petersen SE, Piven J, Pruett JR. Restricted and Repetitive Behavior and Brain Functional Connectivity in Infants at Risk for Developing Autism Spectrum Disorder. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2019; 4:50-61. [PMID: 30446435 PMCID: PMC6557405 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs), detectable by 12 months in many infants in whom autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is later diagnosed, may represent some of the earliest behavioral markers of ASD. However, brain function underlying the emergence of these key behaviors remains unknown. METHODS Behavioral and resting-state functional connectivity (fc) magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 167 children at high and low familial risk for ASD at 12 and 24 months (n = 38 at both time points). Twenty infants met criteria for ASD at 24 months. We divided RRBs into four subcategories (restricted, stereotyped, ritualistic/sameness, self-injurious) and used a data-driven approach to identify functional brain networks associated with the development of each RRB subcategory. RESULTS Higher scores for ritualistic/sameness behavior were associated with less positive fc between visual and control networks at 12 and 24 months. Ritualistic/sameness and stereotyped behaviors were associated with less positive fc between visual and default mode networks at 12 months. At 24 months, stereotyped and restricted behaviors were associated with more positive fc between default mode and control networks. Additionally, at 24 months, stereotyped behavior was associated with more positive fc between dorsal attention and subcortical networks, whereas restricted behavior was associated with more positive fc between default mode and dorsal attention networks. No significant network-level associations were observed for self-injurious behavior. CONCLUSIONS These observations mark the earliest known description of functional brain systems underlying RRBs, reinforce the construct validity of RRB subcategories in infants, and implicate specific neural substrates for future interventions targeting RRBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire J McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Adam T Eggebrecht
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Alexandre Todorov
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jason J Wolff
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jed T Elison
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Chloe M Adams
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Abraham Z Snyder
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Annette M Estes
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Kelly N Botteron
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Robert C McKinstry
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Natasha Marrus
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Alan Evans
- McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Heather C Hazlett
- The Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carborro, North Carolina
| | - Stephen R Dager
- Department of Radiology and Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sarah J Paterson
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Juhi Pandey
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Robert T Schultz
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Martin A Styner
- The Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carborro, North Carolina
| | - Guido Gerig
- Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Bradley L Schlaggar
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Steven E Petersen
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Joseph Piven
- The Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carborro, North Carolina
| | - John R Pruett
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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211
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He Y, Su Q, Wang L, He W, Tan C, Zhang H, Ng ML, Yan N, Chen Y. The Characteristics of Intelligence Profile and Eye Gaze in Facial Emotion Recognition in Mild and Moderate Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:402. [PMID: 31281268 PMCID: PMC6596453 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can easily be misdiagnosed, due to the nonspecific social and communicational deficits associated with the disorder. The present study attempted to profile the mental development and visual attention toward emotion among preschool children with mild or moderate ASD who were attending mainstream kindergartens. A total of 21 children (17 boys and 4 girls) diagnosed with mild or moderate ASD selected from 5,178 kindergarteners from the Xi'an city were recruited. Another group of 21 typically developing (TD) children who were matched with age, gender, and class served as controls. All children were assessed using the Griffiths Mental Development Scales-Chinese (GDS-C), and their social visual attention was assessed during watching 20 ecologically valid film scenes by using eye tracking technique. The results showed that ASD children had lower mental development scores in the Locomotor, Personal-Social, Language, Performance, and Practical Reasoning subscales than the TD peers. Moreover, deficits in recognizing emotions from facial expressions based on naturalistic scene stimuli with voice were found for ASD children. The deficits were significantly correlated with their ability in social interaction and development quotient in ASD group. ASD children showed atypical eye-gaze pattern when compared to TD children during facial emotion expression task. Children with ASD had reduced visual attention to facial emotion expression, especially for the eye region. The findings confirmed the deficits of ASD children in real life multimodal of emotion recognition, and their atypical eye-gaze pattern for emotion recognition. Parents and teachers of children with mild or moderate ASD should make informed educational decisions according to their level of mental development. In addition, eye tracking technique might clinically help provide evidence diagnosing children with mild or moderate ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuying He
- Department of Pediatrics, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.,Child Healthcare Department, Xi'an Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Qi Su
- CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Robotics and Intelligent System, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenxiang He
- Department of Pediatrics, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, China
| | - Chuanxue Tan
- Child Healthcare Department, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Haiqing Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, China
| | - Manwa L Ng
- Speech Science Laboratory, Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nan Yan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Robotics and Intelligent System, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanni Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, China.,Child Healthcare Department, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
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212
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Dijkhuis R, Gurbuz E, Ziermans T, Staal W, Swaab H. Social Attention and Emotional Responsiveness in Young Adults With Autism. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:426. [PMID: 31275179 PMCID: PMC6593106 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are generally characterized by marked impairments in processing of social emotional information, but less is known about emotion processing in adults with the disorder. This study aimed to address this by collecting data on social attention (eye tracking), emotional arousal (skin conductance level, SCL), and emotional awareness (self-report) in a paradigm with social emotional video clips. Fifty-two young, intelligent adults with ASD (IQrange = 88-130, Agerange = 18-24) and 31 typically developing (TD) ASD (IQrange = 94-139, Agerange = 19-28) gender matched controls participated and reported on severity of autism symptoms [Social Responsiveness Scale for Adults (SRS-A)]. Results showed no group difference in social attention, while autism symptom severity was related to decreased attention to faces across participants (r = -.32). Average SCL was lower in the ASD group, but no group difference in arousal reactivity (change from baseline to emotional phases) was detected. Lower SCL during video clips was related to autism symptom severity across participants (r = -.29). ASD individuals reported lower emotional awareness. We conclude that, even though no deviations in social attention or emotional reactivity were found in ASD, an overall lower level of social attention and arousal may help explain difficulties in social functioning in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee Dijkhuis
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, Neuropedagogics and Developmental Disorders, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Emine Gurbuz
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, Neuropedagogics and Developmental Disorders, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Tim Ziermans
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, Neuropedagogics and Developmental Disorders, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Wouter Staal
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, Neuropedagogics and Developmental Disorders, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Hanna Swaab
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, Neuropedagogics and Developmental Disorders, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, Netherlands
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213
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Kovarski K, Siwiaszczyk M, Malvy J, Batty M, Latinus M. Faster eye movements in children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2018; 12:212-224. [PMID: 30585440 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Atypical visual exploration of both social and nonsocial scenes is often reported in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with less precise and longer saccades, potentially reflecting difficulties in oculomotor control. To assess a subset of oculomotor functions in ASD, 20 children with ASD and 21 age-matched typically developing (TD) children (2.6-11.5 years) partook in three tasks of increasing complexity, while no explicit instruction was provided: a prosaccade gap task, a color and a "categorical" visual search tasks (a face among butterflies and vice-versa). In addition to classical saccade metrics, we measured Distance error, (the distance between the target and the closest gaze position) and Time-to-target (the time taken to reach the target). In the prosaccade task, children with ASD were as accurate as TD children, yet faster to reach the stimulus. In the color visual search task, children with ASD were faster but less precise than TD children. In the categorical visual search, while TD children were more precise in orienting their gaze towards the face, children with ASD performed similarly in the two conditions; Time-to-target did not differ. Our results provide contradictory evidence regarding enhanced visual search ability in ASD: when considering response times, enhanced visual search performance was found in one task only, while when considering gaze precision no advantage was found. These three experiments demonstrate that the automatic saccadic system may function more rapidly in children with ASD. Nonetheless, a diminished sensitivity to bottom-up saliency and top-down influence might suppress this advantage in more complex visual environments. Autism Res 2019, 12: 212-224 © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Three experiments with no instructions were designed to assess oculomotor functions in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In a saccade task, children with ASD were faster than but as accurate as control children. In visual search tasks, accuracy and speed decreased with increasing complexity of visual environment. Children with ASD showed faster automatic visual orientation, but this might hinder exploratory behaviors, leading to difficulties in complex and social situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Kovarski
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
| | | | - Joëlle Malvy
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France.,Centre Universitaire de Pédopsychiatrie, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Magali Batty
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France.,CERPPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
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214
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London EB. Neuromodulation and a Reconceptualization of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Using the Locus Coeruleus Functioning as an Exemplar. Front Neurol 2018; 9:1120. [PMID: 30619071 PMCID: PMC6305710 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.01120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of developmental disorders. Although, ASD can be reliably diagnosed, the etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment targets remain poorly characterized. While there are many atypical findings in anatomy, genetics, connectivity, and other biologic parameters, there remains no discreet hypothesis to explain the core signs as well as the very frequent comorbidities. Due to this, designing targets for treatments can only be done by assuming each symptom is a result of a discreet abnormality which is likely not the case. Neuronal circuity remains a major focus of research but rarely taking into account the functioning of the brain is highly dependent on various systems, including the neuromodulatory substances originating in the midbrain. A hypothesis is presented which explores the possibility of explaining many of the symptoms found in ASD in terms of inefficient neuromodulation using the functioning of the locus coeruleus and norepinephrine (LC/NE) as exemplars. The basic science of LC/NE is reviewed. Several functions found to be impaired in ASD including learning, attention, sensory processing, emotional regulation, autonomic functioning, adaptive and repetitive behaviors, sleep, language acquisition, initiation, and prompt dependency are examined in terms of the functioning of the LC/NE system. Suggestions about possible treatment directions are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric B. London
- Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, United States
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215
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Sharda M, Tuerk C, Chowdhury R, Jamey K, Foster N, Custo-Blanch M, Tan M, Nadig A, Hyde K. Music improves social communication and auditory-motor connectivity in children with autism. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:231. [PMID: 30352997 PMCID: PMC6199253 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0287-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Music has been identified as a strength in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder; however, there is currently no neuroscientific evidence supporting its benefits. Given its universal appeal, intrinsic reward value and ability to modify brain and behaviour, music may be a potential therapeutic aid in autism. Here we evaluated the neurobehavioural outcomes of a music intervention, compared to a non-music control intervention, on social communication and brain connectivity in school-age children (ISRCTN26821793). Fifty-one children aged 6-12 years with autism were randomized to receive 8-12 weeks of music (n = 26) or non-music intervention (n = 25). The music intervention involved use of improvisational approaches through song and rhythm to target social communication. The non-music control was a structurally matched behavioural intervention implemented in a non-musical context. Groups were assessed before and after intervention on social communication and resting-state functional connectivity of fronto-temporal brain networks. Communication scores were higher in the music group post-intervention (difference score = 4.84, P = .01). Associated post-intervention resting-state brain functional connectivity was greater in music vs. non-music groups between auditory and subcortical regions (z = 3.94, P < .0001) and auditory and fronto-motor regions (z = 3.16, P < .0001). Post-intervention brain connectivity was lower between auditory and visual regions in the music compared to the non-music groups, known to be over-connected in autism (z = 4.01, P < .00001). Post-intervention brain connectivity in the music group was related to communication improvement (z = 3.57, P < .0001). This study provides the first evidence that 8-12 weeks of individual music intervention can indeed improve social communication and functional brain connectivity, lending support to further investigations of neurobiologically motivated models of music interventions in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megha Sharda
- International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS), Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Pavilion Marie-Victorin, 90 Avenue Vincent D'Indy, Montreal, QC, H2V 2S9, Canada.
- Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Rabinovitch House, 3640 de la Montagne, Montreal, QC, H3G 2A8, Canada.
| | - Carola Tuerk
- International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS), Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Pavilion Marie-Victorin, 90 Avenue Vincent D'Indy, Montreal, QC, H2V 2S9, Canada
| | - Rakhee Chowdhury
- International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS), Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Pavilion Marie-Victorin, 90 Avenue Vincent D'Indy, Montreal, QC, H2V 2S9, Canada
| | - Kevin Jamey
- International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS), Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Pavilion Marie-Victorin, 90 Avenue Vincent D'Indy, Montreal, QC, H2V 2S9, Canada
- Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Rabinovitch House, 3640 de la Montagne, Montreal, QC, H3G 2A8, Canada
| | - Nicholas Foster
- International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS), Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Pavilion Marie-Victorin, 90 Avenue Vincent D'Indy, Montreal, QC, H2V 2S9, Canada
- Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Rabinovitch House, 3640 de la Montagne, Montreal, QC, H3G 2A8, Canada
| | - Melanie Custo-Blanch
- International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS), Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Pavilion Marie-Victorin, 90 Avenue Vincent D'Indy, Montreal, QC, H2V 2S9, Canada
- Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Rabinovitch House, 3640 de la Montagne, Montreal, QC, H3G 2A8, Canada
| | - Melissa Tan
- Westmount Music Therapy, 4695 Maisonneuve Boulevard West, Westmount, QC, H3Z 1S4, Canada
| | - Aparna Nadig
- Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Rabinovitch House, 3640 de la Montagne, Montreal, QC, H3G 2A8, Canada
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 2001 Avenue McGill College, Montréal, QC, H3A 1G1, Canada
| | - Krista Hyde
- International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS), Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Pavilion Marie-Victorin, 90 Avenue Vincent D'Indy, Montreal, QC, H2V 2S9, Canada
- Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Rabinovitch House, 3640 de la Montagne, Montreal, QC, H3G 2A8, Canada
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216
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Schulz SE, Stevenson RA. Sensory hypersensitivity predicts repetitive behaviours in autistic and typically-developing children. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2018; 23:1028-1041. [DOI: 10.1177/1362361318774559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between sensory hypersensitivity and restricted interests and repetitive behaviours associated with autism spectrum disorder and their typically-developing peers. Furthermore, the aims included the examination of the relationship across sensory modalities and various types of restricted interests and repetitive behaviours. Data were collected from the parents of 114 children: 49 of whom were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and 65 typically-developing children. Parents completed the Sensory Profile 2 – Child Version and the Repetitive Behaviours Questionnaire, Second Edition. The results suggested that sensory hypersensitivity is strongly related to the core autism spectrum disorder symptom of repetitive behaviours. This relationship was not specific to autism spectrum disorder; repetitive behaviours significantly increased with sensory hypersensitivity in typically-developing individuals as well. This effect was consistent across all modalities in both autism spectrum disorder and typically developing groups; group differences were observed in the oral and tactile modalities. Furthermore, sensory hypersensitivity was significantly predictive of repetitive behaviours in all participants, autism spectrum disorder and typically-developing, and importantly, autism spectrum disorder diagnosis did not add any predictive influence above and beyond sensory hypersensitivity. Finally, sensory hypersensitivity was significantly predictive of all subdomains of repetitive behaviours, including repetitive motor movements, rigidity and adherence to routine, preoccupation with restricted patterns of interest and unusual sensory interests, and diagnosis added no predictive ability beyond sensory hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E Schulz
- Department of Psychology, Western University, Canada
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, Canada
| | - Ryan A Stevenson
- Department of Psychology, Western University, Canada
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, Canada
- Department of Psychology, York University, Canada
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217
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Tseng CH, Chow HM, Ma YK, Ding J. Preverbal infants utilize cross-modal semantic congruency in artificial grammar acquisition. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12707. [PMID: 30139964 PMCID: PMC6107625 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30927-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Learning in a multisensory world is challenging as the information from different sensory dimensions may be inconsistent and confusing. By adulthood, learners optimally integrate bimodal (e.g. audio-visual, AV) stimulation by both low-level (e.g. temporal synchrony) and high-level (e.g. semantic congruency) properties of the stimuli to boost learning outcomes. However, it is unclear how this capacity emerges and develops. To approach this question, we examined whether preverbal infants were capable of utilizing high-level properties with grammar-like rule acquisition. In three experiments, we habituated pre-linguistic infants with an audio-visual (AV) temporal sequence that resembled a grammar-like rule (A-A-B). We varied the cross-modal semantic congruence of the AV stimuli (Exp 1: congruent syllables/faces; Exp 2: incongruent syllables/shapes; Exp 3: incongruent beeps/faces) while all the other low-level properties (e.g. temporal synchrony, sensory energy) were constant. Eight- to ten-month-old infants only learned the grammar-like rule from AV congruent stimuli pairs (Exp 1), not from incongruent AV pairs (Exp 2, 3). Our results show that similar to adults, preverbal infants' learning is influenced by a high-level multisensory integration gating system, pointing to a perceptual origin of bimodal learning advantage that was not previously acknowledged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Huei Tseng
- Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Hiu Mei Chow
- Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, USA
| | - Yuen Ki Ma
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Jie Ding
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
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218
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Stacey TL, Froude EH, Trollor J, Foley KR. Leisure participation and satisfaction in autistic adults and neurotypical adults. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2018; 23:993-1004. [PMID: 30132680 DOI: 10.1177/1362361318791275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Leisure participation is important for well-being and has been attributed to improved quality of life for autistic individuals. Rigorous studies exploring the leisure participation of autistic adults are sparse. This study aimed to compare the type of leisure activity and frequency of participation between autistic adults and neurotypical adults as well as compare and identify factors associated with their leisure satisfaction. Data for 145 autistic and 104 neurotypical adults were obtained from time point one of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Adults with Autism. The primary outcome measure used was the Leisure Satisfaction Scale. Autistic adults were less satisfied with their leisure overall (mean = 3.29, standard deviation = 0.75) compared with neurotypical adults (mean = 3.69, standard deviation = 0.55). Multiple linear regression revealed being younger and reporting less depressive symptoms were significantly associated with higher leisure satisfaction in autistic but not neurotypical adults. Engagement in solitary leisure activities was comparable across participants, but socialising in person was predominated by neurotypical adults. Leisure activity preferences of autistic adults' and the frequency of their leisure participation are important factors for clinicians to understand when working with this population and tailoring well-being interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Julian Trollor
- 2 UNSW, Australia.,3 Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), Australia
| | - Kitty-Rose Foley
- 2 UNSW, Australia.,3 Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), Australia.,4 Southern Cross University, Australia
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219
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Kuiper MWM, Verhoeven EWM, Geurts HM. The Dutch Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire: Psychometric properties of an autism-specific sensory sensitivity measure. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2018; 23:922-932. [DOI: 10.1177/1362361318788065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sensory sensitivity is common in autistic people and since the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.), hypo- and hyper-responsiveness to sensory stimuli are part of one of the criteria domains for an autism spectrum disorder classification. For scientific research and the clinical practice, one needs reliable and valid questionnaires that measure sensory sensitivity and can distinguish between hypo- and hyper-responsiveness. We translated the Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire into Dutch. The aim was to examine the psychometric properties and the clinical use of the Dutch Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire in 78 autistic and 68 typically developing adults (18–45 years; IQ > 70). Just like the original Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire, the Dutch Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire is a reliable and valid questionnaire. The Dutch Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire had reliable hypo- and hyper-responsiveness subscales, reasonable to good modality subscales and was stable over time. Moreover, using the 95th percentile of the typically developing group as cut-off, we showed that two thirds of the autistic adults had heightened sensory sensitivity. We also showed that hypo- and hyper-responsiveness do co-exist in both autistic and typically developing adults. In sum, we conclude that the Dutch Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire is suitable to be used in scientific research as well as in the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke WM Kuiper
- Dr. Leo Kannerhuis, The Netherlands
- University van Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Hilde M Geurts
- Dr. Leo Kannerhuis, The Netherlands
- University van Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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220
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Metabolism-Associated Markers and Childhood Autism Rating Scales (CARS) as a Measure of Autism Severity. J Mol Neurosci 2018; 65:265-276. [PMID: 29931502 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1091-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuro-behavioral syndrome with a broad spectrum of different mechanisms and etiologies that are caused by abnormal brain development. To date, no highly reliable and effective diagnostic biomarker to assess ASD is available so far. The present study investigated the predictivity potential of some suggested markers in ASD diagnosis focusing onto the relative ratios of several plasma biomarkers of electron transport chain function, and mitochondrial metabolism in 41 patients with ASD evaluated for behavior deficits measured using Childhood Autism Rating Scales (CARS). The control matched for further 41 healthy subjects. The relation of these relative ratios to ASD severity was also examined, as well as their ability to distinguish ASD children from neurotypical children. All predictive ratios were found to be markedly altered and correlated in ASD patients. However, no ratio was connected with autism severity. Interestingly, MRCC-I/caspase-7, GSH/GST, and MRCC-I/COQ10 were the most distinctive relative ratios between neurotypical controls and ASD patients and may thereby be useful biomarkers for early diagnosis of ASD. Overall, this investigation proves that relative ratios of numerous mitochondrial biomarkers might be predictive and efficient to differentiate between neurotypical children and ASD.
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221
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Muratori F, Tonacci A, Billeci L, Catalucci T, Igliozzi R, Calderoni S, Narzisi A. Olfactory Processing in Male Children with Autism: Atypical Odor Threshold and Identification. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 47:3243-3251. [PMID: 28744761 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3250-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Sensory issues are of great interest in ASD diagnosis. However, their investigation is mainly based on external observation (parent reports), with methodological limitations. Unobtrusive olfactory assessment allows studying autism neurosensoriality. Here, 20 male children with high-functioning ASD and 20 matched controls were administered a complete olfactory test battery, assessing olfactory threshold, identification and discrimination. ASD children show lower sensitivity (p = 0.041), lower identification (p = 0.014), and intact odor discrimination (p = 0.199) than controls. Comparing olfactory and clinical scores, a significant correlation was found in ASD between olfactory threshold and the CBCL social problems (p = 0.011) and aggressive behavior (p = 0.012) sub-scales. The pattern featuring peripheral hyposensitivity, high-order difficulties in odor identification and regular subcortical odor discrimination is discussed in light of hypo-priors hypothesis for autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Muratori
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Tonacci
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Clinical Physiology, IFC-CNR, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
| | | | | | | | - Sara Calderoni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
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222
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Sheela P, Puthankattil SD. Event related potential analysis techniques for autism spectrum disorders: A review. Int J Dev Neurosci 2018; 68:72-82. [PMID: 29763658 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) comprise all pervasive neurodevelopmental diseases marked by deficits in social and communication skills, delayed cognitive development, restricted and repetitive behaviors. The core symptoms begin in early childhood, may continue life-long resulting in poor performance in adult stage. Event-related potential (ERP) is basically a time-locked electroencephalogram signal elicited by various stimuli, related to sensory and cognitive processes. The various ERP based techniques used for the study of ASD are considered in this review. ERP based study offers the advantage of being a non-invasive technique to measure the brain activity precisely. The techniques are categorized into three based on the processing domain: time, frequency and time-frequency. Power spectral density, coherence, phase synchrony, multiscale entropy, modified multiscale entropy, sum of signed differences, synchrostates and variance are some of the measures that have been widely used to study the abnormalities in frequency bands and brain connectivity. Various signal processing techniques such as Fast Fourier Transform, Discrete Fourier Transform, Short-Time Fourier Transform, Principal Component Analysis, Wavelet Transform, Directed Transfer Function etc. have been used to analyze the recorded signals so as to unravel the distinctive event-related potential patterns in individuals with ASD. The review concludes that ERP proves to be an efficient tool in detecting the brain abnormalities and connectivity issues, indicating the heterogeneity of ASD. Many advanced techniques are utilized to decipher the underlying neural circuitry so as to aid in therapeutic interventions for improving the core areas of deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyalakshmi Sheela
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Calicut, 673601, Kerala, India
| | - Subha D Puthankattil
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Calicut, 673601, Kerala, India.
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Jerger KK, Lundegard L, Piepmeier A, Faurot K, Ruffino A, Jerger MA, Belger A. Neural Mechanisms of Qigong Sensory Training Massage for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Feasibility Study. Glob Adv Health Med 2018; 7:2164956118769006. [PMID: 29662721 PMCID: PMC5894902 DOI: 10.1177/2164956118769006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite the enormous prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), its global impact has yet to be realized. Millions of families worldwide need effective treatments to help them get through everyday challenges like eating, sleeping, digestion, and social interaction. Qigong Sensory Training (QST) is a nonverbal, parent-delivered intervention recently shown to be effective at reducing these everyday challenges in children with ASD. This study tested the feasibility of a protocol for investigating QST's neural mechanism. METHODS During a single visit, 20 children, 4- to 7-year-old, with ASD viewed images of emotional faces before and after receiving QST or watching a video (controls). Heart rate variability was recorded throughout the visit, and power in the high frequency band (0.15-0.4 Hz) was calculated to estimate parasympathetic tone in 5-s nonoverlapping windows. Cerebral oximetry of prefrontal cortex was recorded during rest and while viewing emotional faces. RESULTS 95% completion rate and 7.6% missing data met a priori standards confirming protocol feasibility for future studies. Preliminary data suggest: (1) during the intervention, parasympathetic tone increased more in children receiving massage (M = 2.9, SD = 0.3) versus controls (M = 2.5, SD = 0.5); (2) while viewing emotional faces post-intervention, parasympathetic tone was more affected (reduced) in the massage group (p = 0.036); and (3) prefrontal cortex response to emotional faces was greater after massage compared to controls. These results did not reach statistical significance in this small study powered to test feasibility. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION This study demonstrates solid protocol feasibility. If replicated in a larger sample, these findings would provide important clues to the neural mechanism of action underlying QST's efficacy for improving sensory, social, and communication difficulties in children with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin K Jerger
- Program in Integrative Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | | | - Aaron Piepmeier
- Program in Integrative Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Keturah Faurot
- Program in Integrative Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Amanda Ruffino
- Program in Integrative Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Margaret A Jerger
- Program in Integrative Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Aysenil Belger
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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224
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Zhou HY, Cai XL, Weigl M, Bang P, Cheung EF, Chan RC. Multisensory temporal binding window in autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 86:66-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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225
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Hamilton A, Pelphrey K. Sensory and social features of autism - can they be integrated? Dev Cogn Neurosci 2018; 29:1-3. [PMID: 29563025 PMCID: PMC6987863 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin Pelphrey
- Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, The George Washington University & Children's National Health System
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226
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Wadsworth HM, Maximo JO, Donnelly RJ, Kana RK. Action simulation and mirroring in children with autism spectrum disorders. Behav Brain Res 2017; 341:1-8. [PMID: 29247748 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Mental imitation, perhaps a precursor to motor imitation, involves visual perspective-taking and motor imagery. Research on mental imitation in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been rather limited compared to that on motor imitation. The main objective of this fMRI study is to determine the differences in brain responses underlying mirroring and mentalizing networks during mental imitation in children and adolescents with ASD. Thirteen high-functioning children and adolescents with ASD and 15 age-and- IQ-matched typically developing (TD) control participants took part in this fMRI study. In the MRI scanner, participants were shown cartoon pictures of people performing everyday actions (Transitive actions: e.g., ironing clothes but with the hand missing; and Intransitive actions: e.g., clapping hands with the palms missing) and were asked to identify which hand or palm orientation would best fit the gap. The main findings are: 1) both groups performed equally while processing transitive and intransitive actions; 2) both tasks yielded activation in the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and inferior parietal lobule (IPL) in ASD and TD groups; 3) Increased activation was seen in ASD children, relative to TD, in left ventral premotor and right middle temporal gyrus during intransitive actions; and 4) ASD symptom severity positively correlated with activation in left parietal, right middle temporal, and right premotor regions across all subjects. Overall, our findings suggest that regions mediating mirroring may be recruiting more brain resources in ASD and may have implications for understanding social movement through modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather M Wadsworth
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA; Glenwood Autism & Behavioral Health Center, Birmingham, USA
| | - Jose O Maximo
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Rebecca J Donnelly
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA; Department of Child and Family Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA
| | - Rajesh K Kana
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA.
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227
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Burt A, Hugrass L, Frith-Belvedere T, Crewther D. Insensitivity to Fearful Emotion for Early ERP Components in High Autistic Tendency Is Associated with Lower Magnocellular Efficiency. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:495. [PMID: 29075185 PMCID: PMC5643484 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Low spatial frequency (LSF) visual information is extracted rapidly from fearful faces, suggesting magnocellular involvement. Autistic phenotypes demonstrate altered magnocellular processing, which we propose contributes to a decreased P100 evoked response to LSF fearful faces. Here, we investigated whether rapid processing of fearful facial expressions differs for groups of neurotypical adults with low and high scores on the Autistic Spectrum Quotient (AQ). We created hybrid face stimuli with low and high spatial frequency filtered, fearful, and neutral expressions. Fearful faces produced higher amplitude P100 responses than neutral faces in the low AQ group, particularly when the hybrid face contained a LSF fearful expression. By contrast, there was no effect of fearful expression on P100 amplitude in the high AQ group. Consistent with evidence linking magnocellular differences with autistic personality traits, our non-linear VEP results showed that the high AQ group had higher amplitude K2.1 responses than the low AQ group, which is indicative of less efficient magnocellular recovery. Our results suggest that magnocellular LSF processing of a human face may be the initial visual cue used to rapidly and automatically detect fear, but that this cue functions atypically in those with high autistic tendency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide Burt
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Laila Hugrass
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tash Frith-Belvedere
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David Crewther
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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