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Jertberg RM, Wienicke FJ, Andruszkiewicz K, Begeer S, Chakrabarti B, Geurts HM, Vries RD, der Burg EV. Differences Between Autistic and Non-Autistic Individuals in Audiovisual Speech Integration: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024:105787. [PMID: 38945419 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Research has indicated unique challenges in audiovisual integration of speech among autistic individuals, although methodological differences have led to divergent findings. We conducted a systematic literature search to identify studies that measured audiovisual speech integration among both autistic and non-autistic individuals. Across the 18 identified studies (combined N = 952), autistic individuals showed impaired audiovisual integration compared to their non-autistic peers (g = 0.69, 95% CI [0.53, 0.85], p <.001). This difference was not found to be influenced by participants' mean ages, studies' sample sizes, risk-of-bias scores, or paradigms investigated. However, a subgroup analysis suggested that child studies may show larger between-group differences than adult ones. The prevailing pattern of impaired audiovisual speech integration in autism may have cascading effects on communicative and social behavior. However, small samples and inconsistency in design/analysis translated into considerable heterogeneity in findings and opacity regarding the influence of underlying unisensory and attentional factors. We recommend three key directions for future research: larger samples, more research with adults, and standardization of methodology and analytical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Jertberg
- Department of Clinical and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Frederik J Wienicke
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Krystian Andruszkiewicz
- Department of Clinical and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sander Begeer
- Department of Clinical and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bhismadev Chakrabarti
- Centre for Autism, School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, UK; India Autism Center, Kolkata, India; Department of Psychology, Ashoka University, India
| | - Hilde M Geurts
- Department of Psychology, Universiteit van Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Leo Kannerhuis (Youz/Parnassiagroup), the Netherlands
| | - Ralph de Vries
- Medical Library, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Erik Van der Burg
- Department of Psychology, Universiteit van Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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2
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Ross LA, Molholm S, Butler JS, Del Bene VA, Brima T, Foxe JJ. Neural correlates of audiovisual narrative speech perception in children and adults on the autism spectrum: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Autism Res 2024; 17:280-310. [PMID: 38334251 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Autistic individuals show substantially reduced benefit from observing visual articulations during audiovisual speech perception, a multisensory integration deficit that is particularly relevant to social communication. This has mostly been studied using simple syllabic or word-level stimuli and it remains unclear how altered lower-level multisensory integration translates to the processing of more complex natural multisensory stimulus environments in autism. Here, functional neuroimaging was used to examine neural correlates of audiovisual gain (AV-gain) in 41 autistic individuals to those of 41 age-matched non-autistic controls when presented with a complex audiovisual narrative. Participants were presented with continuous narration of a story in auditory-alone, visual-alone, and both synchronous and asynchronous audiovisual speech conditions. We hypothesized that previously identified differences in audiovisual speech processing in autism would be characterized by activation differences in brain regions well known to be associated with audiovisual enhancement in neurotypicals. However, our results did not provide evidence for altered processing of auditory alone, visual alone, audiovisual conditions or AV- gain in regions associated with the respective task when comparing activation patterns between groups. Instead, we found that autistic individuals responded with higher activations in mostly frontal regions where the activation to the experimental conditions was below baseline (de-activations) in the control group. These frontal effects were observed in both unisensory and audiovisual conditions, suggesting that these altered activations were not specific to multisensory processing but reflective of more general mechanisms such as an altered disengagement of Default Mode Network processes during the observation of the language stimulus across conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars A Ross
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Departments of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Sophie Molholm
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Departments of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - John S Butler
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Departments of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Technological University Dublin, City Campus, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Victor A Del Bene
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Departments of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Heersink School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Tufikameni Brima
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - John J Foxe
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Departments of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
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3
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Donadio DMDO, Simões-Zenari M, Santos THF, Sanchez MG, Molini-Avejonas DR, Cardilli-Dias D. Use of the Prompts for Reestructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a case study. Codas 2023; 36:e20220299. [PMID: 38126591 PMCID: PMC10750890 DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/20232022299pt] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is classified by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a neurodevelopmental disorder, whose characteristics are mainly deficits in social communication and a restricted range of interests. There are several studies about autism, speech, and language in the literature, but few correlate speech and autism. This study aims to carry out a case study that will address autism, speech, and PROMPT (Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) and also to describe the speech improvement in the participant with autism using the method. The target words were defined for the entire intervention according to the System Analysis Observation (SAO) and Motor Speech Hierarchy (MSH), which are parts of the PROMPT evaluation. After the evaluation, the participant was attended for 16 sessions, once weekly, with the objective of improving their speech. After analyzing the data, it was possible to observe improvement in all aspects outlined according to the pre-treatment evaluation of the method such as phonatory control, mandibular control, lip-facial control and lingual control as well as in the sequenced movement although this was not the aim outlined in the evaluation. It was also possible to measure the improvement of an adequate number of words, an adequate number of phonemes, percentages of correct consonants - revised (PCC-R), and intelligibility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcia Simões-Zenari
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo – USP - São Paulo (SP), Brasil.
| | - Thaís Helena Ferreira Santos
- Laboratório de Investigação Fonoaudiológica de Saúde Mental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo – USP - São Paulo (SP), Brasil.
| | | | | | - Daniela Cardilli-Dias
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Reabilitação, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo – USP - São Paulo (SP), Brasil.
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4
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Thompson E, Feldman JI, Valle A, Davis H, Keceli-Kaysili B, Dunham K, Woynaroski T, Tharpe AM, Picou EM. A Comparison of Listening Skills of Autistic and Non-Autistic Youth While Using and Not Using Remote Microphone Systems. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2023; 66:4618-4634. [PMID: 37870877 PMCID: PMC10721240 DOI: 10.1044/2023_jslhr-22-00720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purposes of this study were to compare (a) listening-in-noise (accuracy and effort) and (b) remote microphone (RM) system benefits between autistic and non-autistic youth. DESIGN Groups of autistic and non-autistic youth that were matched on chronological age and biological sex completed listening-in-noise testing when wearing and not wearing an RM system. Listening-in-noise accuracy and listening effort were evaluated simultaneously using a dual-task paradigm for stimuli varying in type (syllables, words, sentences, and passages). Several putative moderators of RM system effects on outcomes of interest were also evaluated. RESULTS Autistic youth outperformed non-autistic youth in some conditions on listening-in-noise accuracy; listening effort between the two groups was not significantly different. RM system use resulted in listening-in-noise accuracy improvements that were nonsignificantly different across groups. Benefits of listening-in-noise accuracy were all large in magnitude. RM system use did not have an effect on listening effort for either group. None of the putative moderators yielded effects of the RM system on listening-in-noise accuracy or effort for non-autistic youth that were significant and interpretable, indicating that RM system benefits did not vary according to any of the participant characteristics assessed. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to expectations, autistic youth did not demonstrate listening-in-noise deficits compared to non-autistic youth. Both autistic and non-autistic youth appear to experience RM system benefits marked by large gains in listening-in-noise performance. Thus, the use of this technology in educational and other noisy settings where speech perception needs enhancement might be beneficial for both groups of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Thompson
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Jacob I. Feldman
- Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Nashville, TN
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Annalise Valle
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Hilary Davis
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Bahar Keceli-Kaysili
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Kacie Dunham
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN
| | - Tiffany Woynaroski
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Nashville, TN
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Anne Marie Tharpe
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Erin M. Picou
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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5
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Ruiz Callejo D, Boets B. A systematic review on speech-in-noise perception in autism. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 154:105406. [PMID: 37797728 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit atypical speech-in-noise (SiN) perception, but the scope of these impairments has not been clearly defined. We conducted a systematic review of the behavioural research on SiN perception in ASD, using a comprehensive search strategy across databases (Embase, Pubmed, Web of Science, APA PsycArticles, LLBA, clinicaltrials.gov and PsyArXiv). We withheld 20 studies that generally revealed intact speech perception in stationary noise, while impairments in speech discrimination were found in temporally modulated noise, concurrent speech, and audiovisual speech perception. An association with auditory temporal processing deficits, exacerbated by suboptimal language skills, is shown. Speech-in-speech perception might be further impaired due to deficient top-down processing of speech. Further research is needed to address remaining challenges and gaps in our understanding of these impairments, including the developmental aspects of SiN processing in ASD, and the impact of gender and social attentional orienting on this ability. Our findings have important implications for improving communication in ASD, both in daily interactions and in clinical and educational settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Ruiz Callejo
- University Psychiatric Center KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Bart Boets
- University Psychiatric Center KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Autism Research (LauRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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6
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Ruiz Callejo D, Wouters J, Boets B. Speech-in-noise perception in autistic adolescents with and without early language delay. Autism Res 2023; 16:1719-1727. [PMID: 37318057 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Speech-in-noise perception seems aberrant in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Potential aggravating factors are the level of linguistic skills and impairments in auditory temporal processing. Here, we investigated autistic adolescents with and without language delay as compared to non-autistic peers, and we assessed speech perception in steady-state noise, temporally modulated noise, and concurrent speech. We found that autistic adolescents with intact language capabilities and not those with language delay performed worse than NT peers on words-in-stationary-noise perception. For the perception of sentences in stationary noise, we did not observe significant group differences, although autistic adolescents with language delay tend to perform worse in comparison to their TD peers. We also found evidence for a robust deficit in speech-in-concurrent-speech processing in ASD independent of language ability, as well as an association between early language delay in ASD and inadequate temporal speech processing. We propose that reduced voice stream segregation and inadequate social attentional orienting in ASD result in disproportional informational masking of the speech signal. These findings indicate a speech-in-speech processing deficit in autistic adolescents with broad implications for the quality of social communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Ruiz Callejo
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Wouters
- Research Group ExpORL, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Boets
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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7
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Gonçalves AM, Monteiro P. Autism Spectrum Disorder and auditory sensory alterations: a systematic review on the integrity of cognitive and neuronal functions related to auditory processing. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2023; 130:325-408. [PMID: 36914900 PMCID: PMC10033482 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02595-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with a wide spectrum of symptoms, mainly characterized by social, communication, and cognitive impairments. Latest diagnostic criteria according to DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, 2013) now include sensory issues among the four restricted/repetitive behavior features defined as "hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment". Here, we review auditory sensory alterations in patients with ASD. Considering the updated diagnostic criteria for ASD, we examined research evidence (2015-2022) of the integrity of the cognitive function in auditory-related tasks, the integrity of the peripheral auditory system, and the integrity of the central nervous system in patients diagnosed with ASD. Taking into account the different approaches and experimental study designs, we reappraise the knowledge on auditory sensory alterations and reflect on how these might be linked with behavior symptomatology in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Margarida Gonçalves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patricia Monteiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
- Experimental Biology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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8
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Suri KN, Whedon M, Lewis M. Perception of audio-visual synchrony in infants at elevated likelihood of developing autism spectrum disorder. Eur J Pediatr 2023; 182:2105-2117. [PMID: 36820895 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-04871-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The inability to perceive audio-visual speech as a unified event may contribute to social impairments and language deficits in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, we examined and compared two groups of infants on their sensitivity to audio-visual asynchrony for a social (speaking face) and non-social event (bouncing ball) and assessed the relations between multisensory integration and language production. Infants at elevated likelihood of developing ASD were less sensitive to audio-visual synchrony for the social event than infants without elevated likelihood. Among infants without elevated likelihood, greater sensitivity to audio-visual synchrony for the social event was associated with a larger productive vocabulary. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that early deficits in multisensory integration may impair language development among infants with elevated likelihood of developing ASD. WHAT IS KNOWN •Perceptual integration of auditory and visual cues within speech is important for language development. •Prior work suggests that children with ASD are less sensitive to the temporal synchrony within audio-visual speech. WHAT IS NEW •In this study, infants at elevated likelihood of developing ASD showed a larger temporal binding window for adynamic social event (Speaking Face) than TD infants, suggesting less efficient multisensory integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirin N Suri
- Institute for the Study of Child Development, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.,Children's Health at Hackensack Meridian, Hackensack, NJ, 07601, USA
| | - Margaret Whedon
- Institute for the Study of Child Development, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
| | - Michael Lewis
- Institute for the Study of Child Development, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
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Fisher VL, Dean CL, Nave CS, Parkins EV, Kerkhoff WG, Kwakye LD. Increases in sensory noise predict attentional disruptions to audiovisual speech perception. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 16:1027335. [PMID: 36684833 PMCID: PMC9846366 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.1027335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We receive information about the world around us from multiple senses which combine in a process known as multisensory integration. Multisensory integration has been shown to be dependent on attention; however, the neural mechanisms underlying this effect are poorly understood. The current study investigates whether changes in sensory noise explain the effect of attention on multisensory integration and whether attentional modulations to multisensory integration occur via modality-specific mechanisms. A task based on the McGurk Illusion was used to measure multisensory integration while attention was manipulated via a concurrent auditory or visual task. Sensory noise was measured within modality based on variability in unisensory performance and was used to predict attentional changes to McGurk perception. Consistent with previous studies, reports of the McGurk illusion decreased when accompanied with a secondary task; however, this effect was stronger for the secondary visual (as opposed to auditory) task. While auditory noise was not influenced by either secondary task, visual noise increased with the addition of the secondary visual task specifically. Interestingly, visual noise accounted for significant variability in attentional disruptions to the McGurk illusion. Overall, these results strongly suggest that sensory noise may underlie attentional alterations to multisensory integration in a modality-specific manner. Future studies are needed to determine whether this finding generalizes to other types of multisensory integration and attentional manipulations. This line of research may inform future studies of attentional alterations to sensory processing in neurological disorders, such as Schizophrenia, Autism, and ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L. Fisher
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, United States,Yale University School of Medicine and the Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Cassandra L. Dean
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, United States,Roche/Genentech Neurodevelopment & Psychiatry Teams Product Development, Neuroscience, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Claire S. Nave
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, United States
| | - Emma V. Parkins
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, United States,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Willa G. Kerkhoff
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, United States,Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Leslie D. Kwakye
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, United States,*Correspondence: Leslie D. Kwakye,
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10
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Hoffmann J, Travers-Podmaniczky G, Pelzl MA, Brück C, Jacob H, Hölz L, Martinelli A, Wildgruber D. Impairments in recognition of emotional facial expressions, affective prosody, and multisensory facilitation of response time in high-functioning autism. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1151665. [PMID: 37168084 PMCID: PMC10165112 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1151665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Deficits in emotional perception are common in autistic people, but it remains unclear to which extent these perceptual impairments are linked to specific sensory modalities, specific emotions or multisensory facilitation. Methods This study aimed to investigate uni- and bimodal perception of emotional cues as well as multisensory facilitation in autistic (n = 18, mean age: 36.72 years, SD: 11.36) compared to non-autistic (n = 18, mean age: 36.41 years, SD: 12.18) people using auditory, visual and audiovisual stimuli. Results Lower identification accuracy and longer response time were revealed in high-functioning autistic people. These differences were independent of modality and emotion and showed large effect sizes (Cohen's d 0.8-1.2). Furthermore, multisensory facilitation of response time was observed in non-autistic people that was absent in autistic people, whereas no differences were found in multisensory facilitation of accuracy between the two groups. Discussion These findings suggest that processing of auditory and visual components of audiovisual stimuli is carried out more separately in autistic individuals (with equivalent temporal demands required for processing of the respective unimodal cues), but still with similar relative improvement in accuracy, whereas earlier integrative multimodal merging of stimulus properties seems to occur in non-autistic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonatan Hoffmann
- Department of General Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Jonatan Hoffmann,
| | | | - Michael Alexander Pelzl
- Department of General Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Carolin Brück
- Department of General Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Heike Jacob
- Department of General Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lea Hölz
- Department of General Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anne Martinelli
- School of Psychology, Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dirk Wildgruber
- Department of General Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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11
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Feldman JI, Tu A, Conrad JG, Kuang W, Santapuram P, Woynaroski TG. The Impact of Singing on Visual and Multisensory Speech Perception in Children on the Autism Spectrum. Multisens Res 2022; 36:57-74. [PMID: 36731528 PMCID: PMC9924934 DOI: 10.1163/22134808-bja10087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Autistic children show reduced multisensory integration of audiovisual speech stimuli in response to the McGurk illusion. Previously, it has been shown that adults can integrate sung McGurk tokens. These sung speech tokens offer more salient visual and auditory cues, in comparison to the spoken tokens, which may increase the identification and integration of visual speech cues in autistic children. Forty participants (20 autism, 20 non-autistic peers) aged 7-14 completed the study. Participants were presented with speech tokens in four modalities: auditory-only, visual-only, congruent audiovisual, and incongruent audiovisual (i.e., McGurk; auditory 'ba' and visual 'ga'). Tokens were also presented in two formats: spoken and sung. Participants indicated what they perceived via a four-button response box (i.e., 'ba', 'ga', 'da', or 'tha'). Accuracies and perception of the McGurk illusion were calculated for each modality and format. Analysis of visual-only identification indicated a significant main effect of format, whereby participants were more accurate in sung versus spoken trials, but no significant main effect of group or interaction effect. Analysis of the McGurk trials indicated no significant main effect of format or group and no significant interaction effect. Sung speech tokens improved identification of visual speech cues, but did not boost the integration of visual cues with heard speech across groups. Additional work is needed to determine what properties of spoken speech contributed to the observed improvement in visual accuracy and to evaluate whether more prolonged exposure to sung speech may yield effects on multisensory integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob I. Feldman
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt
University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Vanderbilt
University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Alexander Tu
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, Vanderbilt University,
Nashville, TN, USA
- Present Address: Department of Otolaryngology and
Communication Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Julie G. Conrad
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, Vanderbilt University,
Nashville, TN, USA
- Present Address: Department of Pediatrics, University of
Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Wayne Kuang
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, Vanderbilt University,
Nashville, TN, USA
- Present Address: Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles
County and University of Southern California (LAC+USC) Medical Center, University of
Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pooja Santapuram
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, Vanderbilt University,
Nashville, TN, USA
- Present Address: Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia
University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tiffany G. Woynaroski
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt
University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Vanderbilt
University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical
Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University,
Nashville, TN, USA
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12
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Remote Microphone Systems Can Improve Listening-in-Noise Accuracy and Listening Effort for Youth With Autism. Ear Hear 2022; 43:436-447. [PMID: 35030553 PMCID: PMC8881266 DOI: 10.1097/aud.0000000000001058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study examined whether remote microphone (RM) systems improved listening-in-noise performance in youth with autism. We explored effects of RM system use on both listening-in-noise accuracy and listening effort in a well-characterized sample of participants with autism. We hypothesized that listening-in-noise accuracy would be enhanced and listening effort reduced, on average, when participants used the RM system. Furthermore, we predicted that effects of RM system use on listening-in-noise accuracy and listening effort would vary according to participant characteristics. Specifically, we hypothesized that participants who were chronologically older, had greater nonverbal cognitive and language ability, displayed fewer features of autism, and presented with more typical sensory and multisensory profiles might exhibit greater benefits of RM system use than participants who were younger, had less nonverbal cognitive or language ability, displayed more features of autism, and presented with greater sensory and multisensory disruptions. DESIGN We implemented a within-subjects design to investigate our hypotheses, wherein 32 youth with autism completed listening-in-noise testing with and without an RM system. Listening-in-noise accuracy and listening effort were evaluated simultaneously using a dual-task paradigm for stimuli varying in complexity (i.e., syllable-, word-, sentence-, and passage-level). In addition, several putative moderators of RM system effects (i.e., sensory and multisensory function, language, nonverbal cognition, and broader features of autism) on outcomes of interest were evaluated. RESULTS Overall, RM system use resulted in higher listening-in-noise accuracy in youth with autism compared with no RM system use. The observed benefits were all large in magnitude, although the benefits on average were greater for more complex stimuli (e.g., key words embedded in sentences) and relatively smaller for less complex stimuli (e.g., syllables). Notably, none of the putative moderators significantly influenced the effects of the RM system on listening-in-noise accuracy, indicating that RM system benefits did not vary according to any of the participant characteristics assessed. On average, RM system use did not have an effect on listening effort across all youth with autism compared with no RM system use but instead yielded effects that varied according to participant profile. Specifically, moderated effects indicated that RM system use was associated with increased listening effort for youth who had (a) average to below-average nonverbal cognitive ability, (b) below-average language ability, and (c) reduced audiovisual integration. RM system use was also associated with decreased listening effort for youth with very high nonverbal cognitive ability. CONCLUSIONS This study extends prior work by showing that RM systems have the potential to boost listening-in-noise accuracy for youth with autism. However, this boost in accuracy was coupled with increased listening effort, as indexed by longer reaction times while using an RM system, for some youth with autism, perhaps suggesting greater engagement in the listening-in-noise tasks when using the RM system for youth who had lower cognitive abilities, were less linguistically able, and/or have difficulty integrating seen and heard speech. These findings have important implications for clinical practice, suggesting RM system use in classrooms could potentially improve listening-in-noise performance for some youth with autism.
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13
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Möhrle D, Wang W, Whitehead SN, Schmid S. GABA B Receptor Agonist R-Baclofen Reverses Altered Auditory Reactivity and Filtering in the Cntnap2 Knock-Out Rat. Front Integr Neurosci 2021; 15:710593. [PMID: 34489651 PMCID: PMC8417788 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2021.710593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered sensory information processing, and auditory processing, in particular, is a common impairment in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). One prominent hypothesis for the etiology of ASD is an imbalance between neuronal excitation and inhibition. The selective GABAB receptor agonist R-Baclofen has been shown previously to improve social deficits and repetitive behaviors in several mouse models for neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD, and its formulation Arbaclofen has been shown to ameliorate social avoidance symptoms in some individuals with ASD. The present study investigated whether R-Baclofen can remediate ASD-related altered sensory processing reliant on excitation/inhibition imbalance in the auditory brainstem. To assess a possible excitation/inhibition imbalance in the startle-mediating brainstem underlying ASD-like auditory-evoked behaviors, we detected and quantified brain amino acid levels in the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis (PnC) of rats with a homozygous loss-of-function mutation in the ASD-linked gene Contactin-associated protein-like 2 (Cntnap2) and their wildtype (WT) littermates using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI MS). Abnormal behavioral read-outs of brainstem auditory signaling in Cntnap2 KO rats were accompanied by increased levels of GABA, glutamate, and glutamine in the PnC. We then compared the effect of R-Baclofen on behavioral read-outs of brainstem auditory signaling in Cntnap2 KO and WT rats. Auditory reactivity, sensory filtering, and sensorimotor gating were tested in form of acoustic startle response input-output functions, short-term habituation, and prepulse inhibition before and after acute administration of R-Baclofen (0.75, 1.5, and 3 mg/kg). Systemic R-Baclofen treatment improved disruptions in sensory filtering in Cntnap2 KO rats and suppressed exaggerated auditory startle responses, in particular to moderately loud sounds. Lower ASR thresholds in Cntnap2 KO rats were increased in a dose-dependent fashion, with the two higher doses bringing thresholds close to controls, whereas shorter ASR peak latencies at the threshold were further exacerbated. Impaired prepulse inhibition increased across various acoustic prepulse conditions after administration of R-Baclofen in Cntnap2 KO rats, whereas R-Baclofen did not affect prepulse inhibition in WT rats. Our findings suggest that GABAB receptor agonists may be useful for pharmacologically targeting multiple aspects of sensory processing disruptions involving neuronal excitation/inhibition imbalances in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Möhrle
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Wenxuan Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Shawn N Whitehead
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Susanne Schmid
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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14
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Vestibular Stimulation May Drive Multisensory Processing: Principles for Targeted Sensorimotor Therapy (TSMT). Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11081111. [PMID: 34439730 PMCID: PMC8393350 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11081111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
At birth, the vestibular system is fully mature, whilst higher order sensory processing is yet to develop in the full-term neonate. The current paper lays out a theoretical framework to account for the role vestibular stimulation may have driving multisensory and sensorimotor integration. Accordingly, vestibular stimulation, by activating the parieto-insular vestibular cortex, and/or the posterior parietal cortex may provide the cortical input for multisensory neurons in the superior colliculus that is needed for multisensory processing. Furthermore, we propose that motor development, by inducing change of reference frames, may shape the receptive field of multisensory neurons. This, by leading to lack of spatial contingency between formally contingent stimuli, may cause degradation of prior motor responses. Additionally, we offer a testable hypothesis explaining the beneficial effect of sensory integration therapies regarding attentional processes. Key concepts of a sensorimotor integration therapy (e.g., targeted sensorimotor therapy (TSMT)) are also put into a neurological context. TSMT utilizes specific tools and instruments. It is administered in 8-weeks long successive treatment regimens, each gradually increasing vestibular and postural stimulation, so sensory-motor integration is facilitated, and muscle strength is increased. Empirically TSMT is indicated for various diseases. Theoretical foundations of this sensorimotor therapy are discussed.
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15
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Irwin J, Avery T, Kleinman D, Landi N. Audiovisual Speech Perception in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Evidence from Visual Phonemic Restoration. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:28-37. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-04916-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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16
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Stevenson RA, Ruppel J, Sun SZ, Segers M, Zapparoli BL, Bebko JM, Barense MD, Ferber S. Visual working memory and sensory processing in autistic children. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3648. [PMID: 33574399 PMCID: PMC7878880 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82777-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
While atypical sensory processing is one of the more ubiquitous symptoms in autism spectrum disorder, the exact nature of these sensory issues remains unclear, with different studies showing either enhanced or deficient sensory processing. Using a well-established continuous cued-recall task that assesses visual working memory, the current study provides novel evidence reconciling these apparently discrepant findings. Autistic children exhibited perceptual advantages in both likelihood of recall and recall precision relative to their typically-developed peers. When autistic children did make errors, however, they showed a higher probability of erroneously binding a given colour with the incorrect spatial location. These data align with neural-architecture models for feature binding in visual working memory, suggesting that atypical population-level neural noise in the report dimension (colour) and cue dimension (spatial location) may drive both the increase in probability of recall and precision of colour recall as well as the increase in proportion of binding errors when making an error, respectively. These changes are likely to impact core symptomatology associated with autism, as perceptual binding and working memory play significant roles in higher-order tasks, such as communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A. Stevenson
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6G 2K3 Canada ,grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada ,grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada ,grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Neuroscience Program, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada ,grid.21100.320000 0004 1936 9430Centre for Vision Research, York University, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Justin Ruppel
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Sol Z. Sun
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Magali Segers
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6G 2K3 Canada ,grid.21100.320000 0004 1936 9430Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Busisiwe L. Zapparoli
- grid.21100.320000 0004 1936 9430Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - James M. Bebko
- grid.21100.320000 0004 1936 9430Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Morgan D. Barense
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Rotman Research Institute, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Susanne Ferber
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Rotman Research Institute, Toronto, ON Canada
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17
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Dalal TC, Muller AM, Stevenson RA. The Relationship Between Multisensory Temporal Processing and Schizotypal Traits. Multisens Res 2021; 34:1-19. [PMID: 33706260 DOI: 10.1163/22134808-bja10044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Recent literature has suggested that deficits in sensory processing are associated with schizophrenia (SCZ), and more specifically hallucination severity. The DSM-5's shift towards a dimensional approach to diagnostic criteria has led to SCZ and schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) being classified as schizophrenia spectrum disorders. With SCZ and SPD overlapping in aetiology and symptomatology, such as sensory abnormalities, it is important to investigate whether these deficits commonly reported in SCZ extend to non-clinical expressions of SPD. In this study, we investigated whether levels of SPD traits were related to audiovisual multisensory temporal processing in a non-clinical sample, revealing two novel findings. First, less precise multisensory temporal processing was related to higher overall levels of SPD symptomatology. Second, this relationship was specific to the cognitive-perceptual domain of SPD symptomatology, and more specifically, the Unusual Perceptual Experiences and Odd Beliefs or Magical Thinking symptomatology. The current study provides an initial look at the relationship between multisensory temporal processing and schizotypal traits. Additionally, it builds on the previous literature by suggesting that less precise multisensory temporal processing is not exclusive to SCZ but may also be related to non-clinical expressions of schizotypal traits in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler C Dalal
- 1Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, M6G 2N5, Canada
- 2Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, M6G 2N5, Canada
| | - Anne-Marie Muller
- 1Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, M6G 2N5, Canada
- 2Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, M6G 2N5, Canada
| | - Ryan A Stevenson
- 1Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, M6G 2N5, Canada
- 2Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, M6G 2N5, Canada
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18
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Muller AM, Dalal TC, Stevenson RA. Schizotypal traits are not related to multisensory integration or audiovisual speech perception. Conscious Cogn 2020; 86:103030. [PMID: 33120291 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2020.103030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Multisensory integration, the binding of sensory information from different sensory modalities, may contribute to perceptual symptomatology in schizophrenia, including hallucinations and aberrant speech perception. Differences in multisensory integration and temporal processing, an important component of multisensory integration, are consistently found in schizophrenia. Evidence is emerging that these differences extend across the schizophrenia spectrum, including individuals in the general population with higher schizotypal traits. In the current study, we investigated the relationship between schizotypal traits and perceptual functioning, using audiovisual speech-in-noise, McGurk, and ternary synchrony judgment tasks. We measured schizotypal traits using the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), hypothesizing that higher scores on Unusual Perceptual Experiences and Odd Speech subscales would be associated with decreased multisensory integration, increased susceptibility to distracting auditory speech, and less precise temporal processing. Surprisingly, these measures were not associated with the predicted subscales, suggesting that these perceptual differences may not be present across the schizophrenia spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Marie Muller
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Tyler C Dalal
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ryan A Stevenson
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
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19
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Siemann JK, Veenstra-VanderWeele J, Wallace MT. Approaches to Understanding Multisensory Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res 2020; 13:1430-1449. [PMID: 32869933 PMCID: PMC7721996 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal sensory responses are a DSM-5 symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and research findings demonstrate altered sensory processing in ASD. Beyond difficulties with processing information within single sensory domains, including both hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity, difficulties in multisensory processing are becoming a core issue of focus in ASD. These difficulties may be targeted by treatment approaches such as "sensory integration," which is frequently applied in autism treatment but not yet based on clear evidence. Recently, psychophysical data have emerged to demonstrate multisensory deficits in some children with ASD. Unlike deficits in social communication, which are best understood in humans, sensory and multisensory changes offer a tractable marker of circuit dysfunction that is more easily translated into animal model systems to probe the underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Paralleling experimental paradigms that were previously applied in humans and larger mammals, we and others have demonstrated that multisensory function can also be examined behaviorally in rodents. Here, we review the sensory and multisensory difficulties commonly found in ASD, examining laboratory findings that relate these findings across species. Next, we discuss the known neurobiology of multisensory integration, drawing largely on experimental work in larger mammals, and extensions of these paradigms into rodents. Finally, we describe emerging investigations into multisensory processing in genetic mouse models related to autism risk. By detailing findings from humans to mice, we highlight the advantage of multisensory paradigms that can be easily translated across species, as well as the potential for rodent experimental systems to reveal opportunities for novel treatments. LAY SUMMARY: Sensory and multisensory deficits are commonly found in ASD and may result in cascading effects that impact social communication. By using similar experiments to those in humans, we discuss how studies in animal models may allow an understanding of the brain mechanisms that underlie difficulties in multisensory integration, with the ultimate goal of developing new treatments. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1430-1449. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin K Siemann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, New York Presbyterian Hospital, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mark T Wallace
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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20
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Abstract
Autism has been described as a neural deficit in prediction, people with autism manifest low perceptual construal and are impaired at traversing psychological distances, and Gilead et al.'s hierarchy from iconic to multimodal to fully abstract, socially communicated representations is exactly the hierarchy of representational impairment in autism, making autism a natural behavioural and neurophysiological test case for the prediction-abstraction relationship.
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21
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Webster PJ, Frum C, Kurowski-Burt A, Bauer CE, Wen S, Ramadan JH, Baker KA, Lewis JW. Processing of Real-World, Dynamic Natural Stimuli in Autism is Linked to Corticobasal Function. Autism Res 2020; 13:539-549. [PMID: 31944557 PMCID: PMC7418054 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been shown to perceive everyday sensory information differently compared to peers without autism. Research examining these sensory differences has primarily utilized nonnatural stimuli or natural stimuli using static photos with few having utilized dynamic, real-world nonverbal stimuli. Therefore, in this study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to characterize brain activation of individuals with high-functioning autism when viewing and listening to a video of a real-world scene (a person bouncing a ball) and anticipating the bounce. We investigated both multisensory and unisensory processing and hypothesized that individuals with ASD would show differential activation in (a) primary auditory and visual sensory cortical and association areas, and in (b) cortical and subcortical regions where auditory and visual information is integrated (e.g. temporal-parietal junction, pulvinar, superior colliculus). Contrary to our hypotheses, the whole-brain analysis revealed similar activation between the groups in these brain regions. However, compared to controls the ASD group showed significant hypoactivation in the left intraparietal sulcus and left putamen/globus pallidus. We theorize that this hypoactivation reflected underconnectivity for mediating spatiotemporal processing of the visual biological motion stimuli with the task demands of anticipating the timing of the bounce event. The paradigm thus may have tapped into a specific left-lateralized aberrant corticobasal circuit or loop involved in initiating or inhibiting motor responses. This was consistent with a dual "when versus where" psychophysical model of corticobasal function, which may reflect core differences in sensory processing of real-world, nonverbal natural stimuli in ASD. Autism Res 2020, 13: 539-549. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: To understand how individuals with autism perceive the real-world, using magnetic resonance imaging we examined brain activation in individuals with autism while watching a video of someone bouncing a basketball. Those with autism had similar activation to controls in auditory and visual sensory brain regions, but less activation in an area that processes information about body movements and in a region involved in modulating movements. These areas are important for understanding the actions of others and developing social skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula J Webster
- Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Chris Frum
- Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Amy Kurowski-Burt
- Division of Occupational Therapy, Department of Human Performance, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Christopher E Bauer
- Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Sijin Wen
- Department of Biostatistics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Jad H Ramadan
- Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Kathryn A Baker
- Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - James W Lewis
- Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
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22
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Parks KMA, Griffith LA, Armstrong NB, Stevenson RA. Statistical Learning and Social Competency: The Mediating Role of Language. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3968. [PMID: 32132635 PMCID: PMC7055309 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61047-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study sought to examine the contribution of auditory and visual statistical learning on language and social competency abilities as well as whether decreased statistical learning abilities are related to increased autistic traits. To answer these questions, participants' (N = 95) auditory and visual statistical learning abilities, language, social competency, and level of autistic traits were assessed. Although the relationships observed were relatively small in magnitude, our results demonstrated that visual statistical learning related to language and social competency abilities and that auditory learning was more related to autism symptomatology than visual statistical learning. Furthermore, the relationship between visual statistical learning and social competency was mediated by language comprehension abilities, suggesting that impairments in statistical learning may cascade into impairments in language and social abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn M A Parks
- Western University, Department of Psychology, London, ON, Canada.
- Western University, Brain and Mind Institute, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Laura A Griffith
- Western University, Department of Psychology, London, ON, Canada
- Western University, Brain and Mind Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Nicolette B Armstrong
- Western University, Department of Psychology, London, ON, Canada
- Western University, Brain and Mind Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ryan A Stevenson
- Western University, Department of Psychology, London, ON, Canada
- Western University, Brain and Mind Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Western University, Program in Neuroscience, London, ON, Canada
- Western University, Department of Psychiatry, London, ON, Canada
- York University, Centre for Vision Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
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23
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Wallace MT, Woynaroski TG, Stevenson RA. Multisensory Integration as a Window into Orderly and Disrupted Cognition and Communication. Annu Rev Psychol 2020; 71:193-219. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-psych-010419-051112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
During our everyday lives, we are confronted with a vast amount of information from several sensory modalities. This multisensory information needs to be appropriately integrated for us to effectively engage with and learn from our world. Research carried out over the last half century has provided new insights into the way such multisensory processing improves human performance and perception; the neurophysiological foundations of multisensory function; the time course for its development; how multisensory abilities differ in clinical populations; and, most recently, the links between multisensory processing and cognitive abilities. This review summarizes the extant literature on multisensory function in typical and atypical circumstances, discusses the implications of the work carried out to date for theory and research, and points toward next steps for advancing the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark T. Wallace
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA;,
- Departments of Psychology and Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, USA
| | - Tiffany G. Woynaroski
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA;,
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, USA
| | - Ryan A. Stevenson
- Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry and Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
- Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
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Liu Y, Gui Y, Hu J, Liang S, Mo S, Zhou Y, Li Y, Zhou F, Xu J. Attention/memory complaint is correlated with motor speech disorder in Parkinson's disease. BMC Neurol 2019; 19:309. [PMID: 31787082 PMCID: PMC6886194 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-019-1535-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanisms underlying the online modulation of motor speech in Parkinson's disease (PD) have not been determined. Moreover, medical and rehabilitation interventions for PD-associated motor speech disorder (MSD) have a poor long-term prognosis. METHODS To compare risk factors in PD patients with MSD to those without MSD (non-MSD) and determine predictive independent risk factors correlated with the MSD phenotype, we enrolled 314 PD patients, including 250 with and 64 without MSD. We compared demographic, characteristic data, as well as PD-associated evaluations between the MSD group and non-MSD group. RESULTS Univariate analysis showed that demographic characteristics, including occupation, educational level, monthly income and speaking background; clinical characteristics, including lesions in the frontal and temporal lobes, and concurrent dysphagia; and PD-associated evaluations, including the activity of daily living (ADL) score, non-motor symptoms scale (NMSS) domain 4 score (perceptual problem), and NMSS domain 5 score (attention/memory) were all significantly different between the MSD and non-MSD group (all P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that educational level, frontal lesions, and NMSS domain 5 score (attention/memory) were independent risk factors for PD-associated MSD (all P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS We determined an association between MSD phenotype and cognitive impairment, reflected by low-level education and related clinical profiles. Moreover, attention and memory dysfunction may play key roles in the progression of MSD in PD patients. Further studies are required to detail the mechanism underlying abnormal speech motor modulation in PD patients. Early cognitive intervention may enhance rehabilitation management and motor speech function in patients with PD-associated MSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuchang Gui
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jincui Hu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Shanshan Liang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Sixia Mo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuanfang Zhou
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Yujian Li
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Fengkun Zhou
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jianwen Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
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25
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Tietze FA, Hundertmark L, Roy M, Zerr M, Sinke C, Wiswede D, Walter M, Münte TF, Szycik GR. Auditory Deficits in Audiovisual Speech Perception in Adult Asperger's Syndrome: fMRI Study. Front Psychol 2019; 10:2286. [PMID: 31649597 PMCID: PMC6795762 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Audiovisual (AV) integration deficits have been proposed to underlie difficulties in speech perception in Asperger’s syndrome (AS). It is not known, if the AV deficits are related to alterations in sensory processing at the level of unisensory processing or at levels of conjoint multisensory processing. Functional Magnetic-resonance images (MRI) was performed in 16 adult subjects with AS and 16 healthy controls (HC) matched for age, gender, and verbal IQ as they were exposed to disyllabic AV congruent and AV incongruent nouns. A simple semantic categorization task was used to ensure subjects’ attention to the stimuli. The left auditory cortex (BA41) showed stronger activation in HC than in subjects with AS with no interaction regarding AV congruency. This suggests that alterations in auditory processing in unimodal low-level areas underlie AV speech perception deficits in AS. Whether this is signaling a difficulty in the deployment of attention remains to be demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian-Alexander Tietze
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Laura Hundertmark
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Mandy Roy
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,Asklepios Clinic North - Ochsenzoll, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Zerr
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Christopher Sinke
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Daniel Wiswede
- Institute of Psychology II, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas F Münte
- Institute of Psychology II, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Gregor R Szycik
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
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26
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van Laarhoven T, Stekelenburg JJ, Vroomen J. Increased sub-clinical levels of autistic traits are associated with reduced multisensory integration of audiovisual speech. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9535. [PMID: 31267024 PMCID: PMC6606565 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46084-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that sub-clinical levels of autistic symptoms may be related to reduced processing of artificial audiovisual stimuli. It is unclear whether these findings extent to more natural stimuli such as audiovisual speech. The current study examined the relationship between autistic traits measured by the Autism spectrum Quotient and audiovisual speech processing in a large non-clinical population using a battery of experimental tasks assessing audiovisual perceptual binding, visual enhancement of speech embedded in noise and audiovisual temporal processing. Several associations were found between autistic traits and audiovisual speech processing. Increased autistic-like imagination was related to reduced perceptual binding measured by the McGurk illusion. Increased overall autistic symptomatology was associated with reduced visual enhancement of speech intelligibility in noise. Participants reporting increased levels of rigid and restricted behaviour were more likely to bind audiovisual speech stimuli over longer temporal intervals, while an increased tendency to focus on local aspects of sensory inputs was related to a more narrow temporal binding window. These findings demonstrate that increased levels of autistic traits may be related to alterations in audiovisual speech processing, and are consistent with the notion of a spectrum of autistic traits that extends to the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thijs van Laarhoven
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
| | - Jeroen J Stekelenburg
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Jean Vroomen
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE, Tilburg, The Netherlands
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27
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Stevenson RA, Philipp-Muller A, Hazlett N, Wang ZY, Luk J, Lee J, Black KR, Yeung LK, Shafai F, Segers M, Feber S, Barense MD. Conjunctive Visual Processing Appears Abnormal in Autism. Front Psychol 2019; 9:2668. [PMID: 30713514 PMCID: PMC6346680 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02668] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Face processing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is thought to be atypical, but it is unclear whether differences in visual conjunctive processing are specific to faces. To address this, we adapted a previously established eye-tracking paradigm which modulates the need for conjunctive processing by varying the degree of feature ambiguity in faces and objects. Typically-developed (TD) participants showed a canonical pattern of conjunctive processing: High-ambiguity objects were processed more conjunctively than low-ambiguity objects, and faces were processed in an equally conjunctive manner regardless of ambiguity level. In contrast, autistic individuals did not show differences in conjunctive processing based on stimulus category, providing evidence that atypical visual conjunctive processing in ASD is the result of a domain general lack of perceptual specialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A Stevenson
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Neuroscience Program, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Centre for Vision Research, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aviva Philipp-Muller
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Naomi Hazlett
- College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ze Y Wang
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jessica Luk
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jong Lee
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Karen R Black
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lok-Kin Yeung
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Fakhri Shafai
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Magali Segers
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Susanne Feber
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Morgan D Barense
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest, Toronto, ON, Canada
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28
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Being socially uninterested versus not having social prediction skills: The impact of multisensory integration deficits on social skills in autism. Behav Brain Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x18002340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Jaswal & Akhtar in their target article convincingly argue that subjects with autism do not have diminished social motivation. However, they still recognize that autistic people behave socially in an unusual way. Why? Here we suggest that these behaviours are the results of a multisensory integration deficit. Viewed from this perspective, the assumption that autistic people's unusual behaviours indicate diminished social motivation has to be replaced by the one that they have diminished social prediction skills.
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29
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Feldman JI, Dunham K, Cassidy M, Wallace MT, Liu Y, Woynaroski TG. Audiovisual multisensory integration in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 95:220-234. [PMID: 30287245 PMCID: PMC6291229 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
An ever-growing literature has aimed to determine how individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) differ from their typically developing (TD) peers on measures of multisensory integration (MSI) and to ascertain the degree to which differences in MSI are associated with the broad range of symptoms associated with ASD. Findings, however, have been highly variable across the studies carried out to date. The present work systematically reviews and quantitatively synthesizes the large literature on audiovisual MSI in individuals with ASD to evaluate the cumulative evidence for (a) group differences between individuals with ASD and TD peers, (b) correlations between MSI and autism symptoms in individuals with ASD and (c) study level factors that may moderate findings (i.e., explain differential effects) observed across studies. To identify eligible studies, a comprehensive search strategy was employed using the ProQuest search engine, PubMed database, forwards and backwards citation searches, direct author contact, and hand-searching of select conference proceedings. A significant between-group difference in MSI was evident in the literature, with individuals with ASD demonstrating worse audiovisual integration on average across studies compared to TD controls. This effect was moderated by mean participant age, such that between-group differences were more pronounced in younger samples. The mean correlation between MSI and autism and related symptomatology was also significant, indicating that increased audiovisual integration in individuals with ASD is associated with better language/communication abilities and/or reduced autism symptom severity in the extant literature. This effect was moderated by whether the stimuli were linguistic versus non-linguistic in nature, such that correlation magnitudes tended to be significantly greater when linguistic stimuli were utilized in the measure of MSI. Limitations and future directions for primary and meta-analytic research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob I Feldman
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, 1215 21st Ave S, MCE South Tower 8310, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Kacie Dunham
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Margaret Cassidy
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Mark T Wallace
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 110 Magnolia Cir, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1215 21st Ave S, MCE South Tower 8310, Nashville, TN, 27323, USA.
| | - Yupeng Liu
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Tiffany G Woynaroski
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 110 Magnolia Cir, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1215 21st Ave S, MCE South Tower 8310, Nashville, TN, 27323, USA.
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30
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Dadalko OI, Travers BG. Evidence for Brainstem Contributions to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Integr Neurosci 2018; 12:47. [PMID: 30337860 PMCID: PMC6180283 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2018.00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects one in 59 children in the United States. Although there is a mounting body of knowledge of cortical and cerebellar contributions to ASD, our knowledge about the early developing brainstem in ASD is only beginning to accumulate. Understanding how brainstem neurotransmission is implicated in ASD is important because many of this condition’s sensory and motor symptoms are consistent with brainstem pathology. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to integrate epidemiological, behavioral, histological, neuroimaging, and animal evidence of brainstem contributions to ASD. Because ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition, we examined the available data through a lens of hierarchical brain development. The review of the literature suggests that developmental alterations of the brainstem could have potential cascading effects on cortical and cerebellar formation, ultimately leading to ASD symptoms. This view is supported by human epidemiology findings and data from animal models of ASD, showing that perturbed development of the brainstem substructures, particularly during the peak formation of the brainstem’s monoaminergic centers, may relate to ASD or ASD-like behaviors. Furthermore, we review evidence from human histology, psychophysiology, and neuroimaging suggesting that brainstem development and maturation may be atypical in ASD and may be related to key ASD symptoms, such as atypical sensorimotor features and social responsiveness. From this review there emerges the need of future research to validate early detection of the brainstem-based somatosensory and psychophysiological behaviors that emerge in infancy, and to examine the brainstem across the life span, while accounting for age. In all, there is preliminary evidence for brainstem involvement in ASD, but a better understanding of the brainstem’s role would likely pave the way for earlier diagnosis and treatment of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga I Dadalko
- Motor and Brain Development Lab, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Brittany G Travers
- Motor and Brain Development Lab, Occupational Therapy Program in the Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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31
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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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32
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Posar A, Visconti P. Sensory abnormalities in children with autism spectrum disorder. JORNAL DE PEDIATRIA (VERSÃO EM PORTUGUÊS) 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedp.2017.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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33
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Posar A, Visconti P. Sensory abnormalities in children with autism spectrum disorder. J Pediatr (Rio J) 2018; 94:342-350. [PMID: 29112858 DOI: 10.1016/j.jped.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The clinical picture of children with autism spectrum disorder is characterized by deficits of social interaction and communication, as well as by repetitive interests and activities. Sensory abnormalities are a very frequent feature that often go unnoticed due to the communication difficulties of these patients. This narrative review summarizes the main features of sensory abnormalities and the respective implications for the interpretation of several signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, and therefore for its management. SOURCES A search was performed in PubMed (United States National Library of Medicine) about the sensory abnormalities in subjects (particularly children) with autism spectrum disorder. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS Sensory symptoms are common and often disabling in children with autism spectrum disorder, but are not specific for autism, being a feature frequently described also in subjects with intellectual disability. Three main sensory patterns have been described in autism spectrum disorder: hypo-responsiveness, hyper-responsiveness, and sensory seeking; to these, some authors have added a fourth pattern: enhanced perception. Sensory abnormalities may negatively impact the life of these individuals and their families. An impairment not only of unisensory modalities but also of multisensory integration is hypothesized. CONCLUSIONS Atypical sensory reactivity of subjects with autism spectrum disorder may be the key to understand many of their abnormal behaviors, and thus it is a relevant aspect to be taken into account in their daily management in all the contexts in which they live. A formal evaluation of sensory function should be always performed in these children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annio Posar
- IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Bologna, Italy; University of Bologna, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Paola Visconti
- IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Bologna, Italy
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34
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Noel JP, Blanke O, Serino A. From multisensory integration in peripersonal space to bodily self-consciousness: from statistical regularities to statistical inference. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018; 1426:146-165. [PMID: 29876922 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Integrating information across sensory systems is a critical step toward building a cohesive representation of the environment and one's body, and as illustrated by numerous illusions, scaffolds subjective experience of the world and self. In the last years, classic principles of multisensory integration elucidated in the subcortex have been translated into the language of statistical inference understood by the neocortical mantle. Most importantly, a mechanistic systems-level description of multisensory computations via probabilistic population coding and divisive normalization is actively being put forward. In parallel, by describing and understanding bodily illusions, researchers have suggested multisensory integration of bodily inputs within the peripersonal space as a key mechanism in bodily self-consciousness. Importantly, certain aspects of bodily self-consciousness, although still very much a minority, have been recently casted under the light of modern computational understandings of multisensory integration. In doing so, we argue, the field of bodily self-consciousness may borrow mechanistic descriptions regarding the neural implementation of inference computations outlined by the multisensory field. This computational approach, leveraged on the understanding of multisensory processes generally, promises to advance scientific comprehension regarding one of the most mysterious questions puzzling humankind, that is, how our brain creates the experience of a self in interaction with the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Paul Noel
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Olaf Blanke
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience (LNCO), Center for Neuroprosthetics (CNP), Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Serino
- MySpace Lab, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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35
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Stevenson RA, Sheffield SW, Butera IM, Gifford RH, Wallace MT. Multisensory Integration in Cochlear Implant Recipients. Ear Hear 2018; 38:521-538. [PMID: 28399064 DOI: 10.1097/aud.0000000000000435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Speech perception is inherently a multisensory process involving integration of auditory and visual cues. Multisensory integration in cochlear implant (CI) recipients is a unique circumstance in that the integration occurs after auditory deprivation and the provision of hearing via the CI. Despite the clear importance of multisensory cues for perception, in general, and for speech intelligibility, specifically, the topic of multisensory perceptual benefits in CI users has only recently begun to emerge as an area of inquiry. We review the research that has been conducted on multisensory integration in CI users to date and suggest a number of areas needing further research. The overall pattern of results indicates that many CI recipients show at least some perceptual gain that can be attributable to multisensory integration. The extent of this gain, however, varies based on a number of factors, including age of implantation and specific task being assessed (e.g., stimulus detection, phoneme perception, word recognition). Although both children and adults with CIs obtain audiovisual benefits for phoneme, word, and sentence stimuli, neither group shows demonstrable gain for suprasegmental feature perception. Additionally, only early-implanted children and the highest performing adults obtain audiovisual integration benefits similar to individuals with normal hearing. Increasing age of implantation in children is associated with poorer gains resultant from audiovisual integration, suggesting a sensitive period in development for the brain networks that subserve these integrative functions, as well as length of auditory experience. This finding highlights the need for early detection of and intervention for hearing loss, not only in terms of auditory perception, but also in terms of the behavioral and perceptual benefits of audiovisual processing. Importantly, patterns of auditory, visual, and audiovisual responses suggest that underlying integrative processes may be fundamentally different between CI users and typical-hearing listeners. Future research, particularly in low-level processing tasks such as signal detection will help to further assess mechanisms of multisensory integration for individuals with hearing loss, both with and without CIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A Stevenson
- 1Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; 2Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; 3Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Audiology and Speech Pathology Center, London, Ontario, Canada; 4Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, Tennesse; 5Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, Tennesse; 6Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennesse; 7Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennesse; and 8Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennesse
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36
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Righi G, Tenenbaum EJ, McCormick C, Megan B, Amso D, Sheinkopf SJ. Sensitivity to audio-visual synchrony and its relation to language abilities in children with and without ASD. Autism Res 2018; 11:645-653. [PMID: 29331093 PMCID: PMC10862227 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often accompanied by deficits in speech and language processing. Speech processing relies heavily on the integration of auditory and visual information, and it has been suggested that the ability to detect correspondence between auditory and visual signals helps to lay the foundation for successful language development. The goal of the present study was to examine whether young children with ASD show reduced sensitivity to temporal asynchronies in a speech processing task when compared to typically developing controls, and to examine how this sensitivity might relate to language proficiency. Using automated eye tracking methods, we found that children with ASD failed to demonstrate sensitivity to asynchronies of 0.3s, 0.6s, or 1.0s between a video of a woman speaking and the corresponding audio track. In contrast, typically developing children who were language-matched to the ASD group, were sensitive to both 0.6s and 1.0s asynchronies. We also demonstrated that individual differences in sensitivity to audiovisual asynchronies and individual differences in orientation to relevant facial features were both correlated with scores on a standardized measure of language abilities. Results are discussed in the context of attention to visual language and audio-visual processing as potential precursors to language impairment in ASD. Autism Res 2018, 11: 645-653. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY Speech processing relies heavily on the integration of auditory and visual information, and it has been suggested that the ability to detect correspondence between auditory and visual signals helps to lay the foundation for successful language development. The goal of the present study was to explore whether children with ASD process audio-visual synchrony in ways comparable to their typically developing peers, and the relationship between preference for synchrony and language ability. Results showed that there are differences in attention to audiovisual synchrony between typically developing children and children with ASD. Preference for synchrony was related to the language abilities of children across groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Righi
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Bradley Hospital, Providence RI
- Rhode Island Consortium for Autism Research and Treatment, East Providence, RI
| | - Elena J. Tenenbaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk at Women and Infants Hospital
- Rhode Island Consortium for Autism Research and Treatment, East Providence, RI
| | - Carolyn McCormick
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk at Women and Infants Hospital
- Rhode Island Consortium for Autism Research and Treatment, East Providence, RI
| | - Blossom Megan
- Psychology Department, Castleton University, Castleton, VT
| | - Dima Amso
- Department of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence RI
| | - Stephen J. Sheinkopf
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk at Women and Infants Hospital
- Department of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI
- Rhode Island Consortium for Autism Research and Treatment, East Providence, RI
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37
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Beker S, Foxe JJ, Molholm S. Ripe for solution: Delayed development of multisensory processing in autism and its remediation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 84:182-192. [PMID: 29162518 PMCID: PMC6389331 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Difficulty integrating inputs from different sensory sources is commonly reported in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Accumulating evidence consistently points to altered patterns of behavioral reactions and neural activity when individuals with ASD observe or act upon information arriving through multiple sensory systems. For example, impairments in the integration of seen and heard speech appear to be particularly acute, with obvious implications for interpersonal communication. Here, we explore the literature on multisensory processing in autism with a focus on developmental trajectories. While much remains to be understood, some consistent observations emerge. Broadly, sensory integration deficits are found in children with an ASD whereas these appear to be much ameliorated, or even fully recovered, in older teenagers and adults on the spectrum. This protracted delay in the development of multisensory processing raises the possibility of applying early intervention strategies focused on multisensory integration, to accelerate resolution of these functions. We also consider how dysfunctional cross-sensory oscillatory neural communication may be one key pathway to impaired multisensory processing in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shlomit Beker
- The Sheryl and Daniel R. Tishman Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States; Rose F. Kennedy Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC), Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - John J Foxe
- The Sheryl and Daniel R. Tishman Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States; Rose F. Kennedy Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC), Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States; The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Sophie Molholm
- The Sheryl and Daniel R. Tishman Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States; Rose F. Kennedy Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC), Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States; The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States.
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38
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Stevenson RA, Toulmin JK, Youm A, Besney RMA, Schulz SE, Barense MD, Ferber S. Increases in the autistic trait of attention to detail are associated with decreased multisensory temporal adaptation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14354. [PMID: 29085016 PMCID: PMC5662613 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14632-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent empirical evidence suggests that autistic individuals perceive the world differently than their typically-developed peers. One theoretical account, the predictive coding hypothesis, posits that autistic individuals show a decreased reliance on previous perceptual experiences, which may relate to autism symptomatology. We tested this through a well-characterized, audiovisual statistical-learning paradigm in which typically-developed participants were first adapted to consistent temporal relationships between audiovisual stimulus pairs (audio-leading, synchronous, visual-leading) and then performed a simultaneity judgement task with audiovisual stimulus pairs varying in temporal offset from auditory-leading to visual-leading. Following exposure to the visual-leading adaptation phase, participants' perception of synchrony was biased towards visual-leading presentations, reflecting the statistical regularities of their previously experienced environment. Importantly, the strength of adaptation was significantly related to the level of autistic traits that the participant exhibited, measured by the Autism Quotient (AQ). This was specific to the Attention to Detail subscale of the AQ that assesses the perceptual propensity to focus on fine-grain aspects of sensory input at the expense of more integrative perceptions. More severe Attention to Detail was related to weaker adaptation. These results support the predictive coding framework, and suggest that changes in sensory perception commonly reported in autism may contribute to autistic symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A Stevenson
- Western University, Department of Psychology, London, ON, Canada.
- Western University, Brain and Mind Institute, London, ON, Canada.
- Western University, Program in Neuroscience, London, ON, Canada.
- Western University, Department of Psychiatry, London, ON, Canada.
- York University, Centre for Vision Research, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Jennifer K Toulmin
- The University of Toronto, Department of Psychology, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ariana Youm
- The University of Toronto, Department of Psychology, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Samantha E Schulz
- Western University, Department of Psychology, London, ON, Canada
- Western University, Brain and Mind Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Morgan D Barense
- The University of Toronto, Department of Psychology, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Rotman Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Susanne Ferber
- The University of Toronto, Department of Psychology, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Rotman Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
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39
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Abstract
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition, and little is known about its neurobiology. Much of autism research has focused on the social, communication and cognitive difficulties associated with the condition. However, the recent revision of the diagnostic criteria for autism has brought another key domain of autistic experience into focus: sensory processing. Here, we review the properties of sensory processing in autism and discuss recent computational and neurobiological insights arising from attention to these behaviours. We argue that sensory traits have important implications for the development of animal and computational models of the condition. Finally, we consider how difficulties in sensory processing may relate to the other domains of behaviour that characterize autism.
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40
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Abstract
Purpose of Review The integration of information across sensory modalities into unified percepts is a fundamental sensory process upon which a multitude of cognitive processes are based. We review the body of literature exploring aging-related changes in audiovisual integration published over the last five years. Specifically, we review the impact of changes in temporal processing, the influence of the effectiveness of sensory inputs, the role of working memory, and the newer studies of intra-individual variability during these processes. Recent Findings Work in the last five years on bottom-up influences of sensory perception has garnered significant attention. Temporal processing, a driving factors of multisensory integration, has now been shown to decouple with multisensory integration in aging, despite their co-decline with aging. The impact of stimulus effectiveness also changes with age, where older adults show maximal benefit from multisensory gain at high signal-to-noise ratios. Following sensory decline, high working memory capacities have now been shown to be somewhat of a protective factor against age-related declines in audiovisual speech perception, particularly in noise. Finally, newer research is emerging focusing on the general intra-individual variability observed with aging. Summary Overall, the studies of the past five years have replicated and expanded on previous work that highlights the role of bottom-up sensory changes with aging and their influence on audiovisual integration, as well as the top-down influence of working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H Baum
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington
| | - Ryan Stevenson
- Department of Psychology, Western University.,Brain and Mind Institute, Western University.,Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University.,Program in Neuroscience, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University.,Centre for Vision Research, York University
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41
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Time-based event expectancies in children with Autism spectrum disorder. Exp Brain Res 2017; 235:2877-2882. [PMID: 28685178 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-017-5024-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Here, we studied the time-based event expectancies in children with Autism spectrum disorder. Nine children with Autism spectrum disorders and ten (6-11 years) typically developing children participated. In a choice-response task with two different pre-target intervals, participants had to indicate the left or right direction of a target stimulus. The target was predicted by the duration of the pre-target interval with 80% validity. We found that, in children with Autism spectrum disorder, in contrast to typically developing children, the formation of time-based event expectancies was restricted to the relatively longer pre-target interval. This pattern is rather typical for healthy young adults. These findings indicate that children with Autism spectrum disorder are able to form time-based event expectancies, and that, similar to healthy young adults, longer pre-target intervals enable them to make more optimal temporal predictions.
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Stevenson RA, Segers M, Ncube BL, Black KR, Bebko JM, Ferber S, Barense MD. The cascading influence of multisensory processing on speech perception in autism. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2017; 22:609-624. [PMID: 28506185 DOI: 10.1177/1362361317704413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
It has been recently theorized that atypical sensory processing in autism relates to difficulties in social communication. Through a series of tasks concurrently assessing multisensory temporal processes, multisensory integration and speech perception in 76 children with and without autism, we provide the first behavioral evidence of such a link. Temporal processing abilities in children with autism contributed to impairments in speech perception. This relationship was significantly mediated by their abilities to integrate social information across auditory and visual modalities. These data describe the cascading impact of sensory abilities in autism, whereby temporal processing impacts multisensory information of social information, which, in turn, contributes to deficits in speech perception. These relationships were found to be specific to autism, specific to multisensory but not unisensory integration, and specific to the processing of social information.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Susanne Ferber
- 3 University of Toronto, Canada.,4 Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest, Canada
| | - Morgan D Barense
- 3 University of Toronto, Canada.,4 Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest, Canada
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