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Hu A, Kozloff V, Owen Van Horne A, Chugani D, Qi Z. Dissociation Between Linguistic and Nonlinguistic Statistical Learning in Children with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:1912-1927. [PMID: 36749457 PMCID: PMC10404646 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-05902-1] [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] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Statistical learning (SL), the ability to detect and extract regularities from inputs, is considered a domain-general building block for typical language development. We compared 55 verbal children with autism (ASD, 6-12 years) and 50 typically-developing children in four SL tasks. The ASD group exhibited reduced learning in the linguistic SL tasks (syllable and letter), but showed intact learning for the nonlinguistic SL tasks (tone and image). In the ASD group, better linguistic SL was associated with higher language skills measured by parental report and sentence recall. Therefore, the atypicality of SL in autism is not domain-general but tied to specific processing constraints related to verbal stimuli. Our findings provide a novel perspective for understanding language heterogeneity in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Hu
- Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science, University of Delaware, 125 E Main St., Newark, DE, 19716, USA.
| | - Violet Kozloff
- Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science, University of Delaware, 125 E Main St., Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Amanda Owen Van Horne
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Diane Chugani
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Zhenghan Qi
- Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science, University of Delaware, 125 E Main St., Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
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Le Donne I, Attanasio M, Bologna A, Vagnetti R, Masedu F, Valenti M, Mazza M. Autism and intention attribution test: a non-verbal evaluation with comic strips. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2023; 22:29. [PMID: 37573317 PMCID: PMC10422844 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-023-00461-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and mentalization being two words often associated in the literature, the assessment of this ability in individuals with ASD in the clinical setting is still limited. Indeed, there are no standardized Theory of Mind (ToM) tests that are adaptable to different cognitive profiles, such as individuals with language poverty, and intellectual or memory impairments. This study proposes a non-verbal test (Intentions Attribution-Comic Strip Test; IA-CST) to evaluate the ability to infer the intentions of others, a basic component of ToM, in the clinical setting. METHOD In Study 1, the test was administered to 261 healthy individuals and we performed structural validation using Exploratory Graph Analysis. In Study 2, the final version of the test was administered to 32 individuals with ASD to assess the known group validity of the measure by comparing their scores with a sample of IQ-matched controls. Moreover, we performed logistic regression and ROC curve to preliminarily assess the diagnostic performance of the IA-CST. RESULTS The IA-CST resulted in a 3-dimension measure with good structural stability. Group comparison indicated that the ASD group shows significantly lower performance in intention attribution but not in inferring causal consequences. The test demonstrated known group validity and that, preliminarily, it is suitable for implementation within the clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS The results support the IA-CST as a valid non-verbal task for evaluating intentions attribution in the clinical setting. Difficulties in ToM are early and relevant in ASD, so assessing these aspects is valuable for structuring individualized and evidence-based interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilenia Le Donne
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Località Coppito, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Margherita Attanasio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Località Coppito, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Antony Bologna
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Località Coppito, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberto Vagnetti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Località Coppito, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Masedu
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Località Coppito, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Marco Valenti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Località Coppito, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
- Regional Reference Centre for Autism of the Abruzzo Region, Local Health Unit ASL 1, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Monica Mazza
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Località Coppito, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
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Zhou R, Xie X, Wang J, Ma B, Hao X. Why do children with autism spectrum disorder have abnormal visual perception? Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1087122. [PMID: 37255685 PMCID: PMC10225551 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1087122] [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: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with severe impairment in social functioning. Visual information processing provides nonverbal cues that support social interactions. ASD children exhibit abnormalities in visual orientation, continuous visual exploration, and visual-spatial perception, causing social dysfunction, and mechanisms underlying these abnormalities remain unclear. Transmission of visual information depends on the retina-lateral geniculate nucleus-visual cortex pathway. In ASD, developmental abnormalities occur in rapid expansion of the visual cortex surface area with constant thickness during early life, causing abnormal transmission of the peak of the visual evoked potential (P100). We hypothesized that abnormal visual perception in ASD are related to the abnormal visual information transmission and abnormal development of visual cortex in early life, what's more, explored the mechanisms of abnormal visual symptoms to provide suggestions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongyi Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinyue Xie
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiaojiao Wang
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Institute of Ophthalmology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bingxiang Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xin Hao
- Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
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Wiebe S, Huang Z, Ladak RJ, Skalecka A, Cagnetta R, Lacaille JC, Aguilar-Valles A, Sonenberg N. Cell-type-specific translational control of spatial working memory by the cap-binding protein 4EHP. Mol Brain 2023; 16:9. [PMID: 36650535 PMCID: PMC9847188 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-023-00995-2] [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: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The consolidation of learned information into long-lasting memories requires the strengthening of synaptic connections through de novo protein synthesis. Translation initiation factors play a cardinal role in gating the production of new proteins thereby regulating memory formation. Both positive and negative regulators of translation play a critical role in learning and memory consolidation. The eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) homologous protein (4EHP, encoded by the gene Eif4e2) is a pivotal negative regulator of translation but its role in learning and memory is unknown. To address this gap in knowledge, we generated excitatory (glutamatergic: CaMKIIα-positive) and inhibitory (GABAergic: GAD65-positive) conditional knockout mice for 4EHP, which were analyzed in various behavioral memory tasks. Knockout of 4EHP in Camk2a-expressing neurons (4EHP-cKOexc) did not impact long-term memory in either contextual fear conditioning or Morris water maze tasks. Similarly, long-term contextual fear memory was not altered in Gad2-directed 4EHP knockout mice (4EHP-cKOinh). However, when subjected to a short-term T-maze working memory task, both mouse models exhibited impaired cognition. We therefore tested the hypothesis that de novo protein synthesis plays a direct role in working memory. We discovered that phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6, a measure of mTORC1 activity, is dramatically reduced in the CA1 hippocampus of 4EHP-cKOexc mice. Consistently, genetic reduction of mTORC1 activity in either excitatory or inhibitory neurons was sufficient to impair working memory. Taken together, these findings indicate that translational control by 4EHP and mTORC1 in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons are necessary for working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Wiebe
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, McIntyre Medical Building, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6 Canada ,Goodman Cancer Institute, 1160 Pine Avenue West, Room 614, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3 Canada
| | - Ziying Huang
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, McIntyre Medical Building, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6 Canada ,Goodman Cancer Institute, 1160 Pine Avenue West, Room 614, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3 Canada
| | - Reese Jalal Ladak
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, McIntyre Medical Building, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6 Canada ,Goodman Cancer Institute, 1160 Pine Avenue West, Room 614, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3 Canada
| | - Agnieszka Skalecka
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, McIntyre Medical Building, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6 Canada ,Goodman Cancer Institute, 1160 Pine Avenue West, Room 614, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3 Canada
| | - Roberta Cagnetta
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, McIntyre Medical Building, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6 Canada ,Goodman Cancer Institute, 1160 Pine Avenue West, Room 614, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3 Canada
| | - Jean-Claude Lacaille
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Department of Neuroscience and CIRCA, University of Montreal, Succ. Downtown, P. O. Box 6128, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7 Canada
| | - Argel Aguilar-Valles
- grid.34428.390000 0004 1936 893XDepartment of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Health Sciences Building, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 Canada
| | - Nahum Sonenberg
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, McIntyre Medical Building, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6 Canada ,Goodman Cancer Institute, 1160 Pine Avenue West, Room 614, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3 Canada
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Lynn A, Luna B, O'Hearn K. Visual working memory performance is intact across development in autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2022; 15:881-891. [PMID: 35128834 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with atypical visual processing and deficits in working memory (WM). Visual WM performance typically improves between childhood and adulthood, but such improvement may be atypical in ASD. To better understand how visual WM develops, we used a well-established change detection task across multiple visual features. We examined visual WM for color, shape, and pattern in children, adolescents, and adults with and without ASD. VWM capacity and performance for all visual features improved across age similarly for both the TD and ASD groups. While performance was better on set size 4 trials than set size 8 trials for color, shape, and no change trials, such an effect was not evident for pattern change trials. Overall, the present findings suggest that VWM for different visual features may be intact across development in ASD. The ability to hold multiple objects in mind (WM) improves across typical development, but it remains unclear whether such improvement occurs in ASD. We found that developmental improvements in WM for different types of object details (e.g., color, shape, and pattern) is generally similar for both ASD and typical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Lynn
- Department of Psychology & Human Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Beatriz Luna
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kirsten O'Hearn
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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St John T, Woods S, Bode T, Ritter C, Estes A. A review of executive functioning challenges and strengths in autistic adults. Clin Neuropsychol 2021; 36:1116-1147. [PMID: 34499568 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2021.1971767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Objective: There has been a steady rise in research characterizing executive functioning (EF) impairments in autistic individuals but limited research investigating EF strengths. This review provides a summary of current EF research in autistic adults with a focus on EF challenges and strengths and potential sources of heterogeneity in research findings. New avenues for addressing gaps in our understanding of EF strengths are proposed.Method: A review of the EF literature was conducted. One hundred twenty-four studies of inhibition, working memory, cognitive flexibility, fluency, planning, decision-making, and subjective measures of EF in autistic adults were included.Results: Autistic adults with average intellectual functioning demonstrate difficulties with cognitive flexibility, phonemic fluency, and working memory. Strengths in planning, decision-making, and semantic verbal fluency were evident in some but not all studies. Findings regarding inhibition are inconclusive. Key findings across each EF domain are discussed and sources of potential heterogeneity across studies were evaluated. The type of measure used appears to contribute to heterogeneous findings. Subjective EF measures revealed more consistent findings of deficits in autistic adults than objective EF measures.Conclusions: Research reveals areas of EF weaknesses as well as strengths in autistic adults. Unlike EF challenges, EF strengths are not well understood. Future research identifying EF strengths is needed to improve services and supports for autistic adults. Further investigation of potential factors that interact with or constrain EF such as comorbid disorders, verbal ability, sensory processing, and other factors specific to autism will be critical to move the field forward and increase understanding of how EF is related to everyday functioning in autistic adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya St John
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,University of Washington Autism Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sara Woods
- University of Washington Autism Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Cassidy Ritter
- College of Education, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Annette Estes
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,University of Washington Autism Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Karmakar S, Sarkar S. Beneficial aspects of autism stemming from enhanced visuospatial skills: Result from a comparative study in India. Indian J Psychiatry 2020; 62:540-543. [PMID: 33678835 PMCID: PMC7909016 DOI: 10.4103/psychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_667_19] [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: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a relatively common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, associated with restrictive and repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities. However, there are various positive character traits among individuals suffering from ASD - they are generally honest, decisive, and nonjudgmental. They are also reported to have excellent attention to details, which have been ascribed to their enhanced visual search skills. AIM Our study was undertaken to assess these visuospatial perception skills among children with autism and compare the results with that of typically developing (TD) children in the Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 47 children with ASD and 47 age-, gender-, and education-matched TD children were assessed using tests for disjunctive and conjunction search, real-world visual search, and visual working memory. RESULTS Children with ASD performed significantly better than the TD children in tests for visual search and were comparable in the test for visual working memory. CONCLUSION Our study showed that children with autism have enhanced visual skills, and this quality can be honed further and be utilized in jobs that require good observation skills and attention to details.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumen Karmakar
- Department of Psychiatry, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Sharmila Sarkar
- Department of Psychiatry, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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Wuang YP, Huang CL, Tsai HY. Sensory Integration and Perceptual-Motor Profiles in School-Aged Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2020; 16:1661-1673. [PMID: 32753871 PMCID: PMC7351620 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s253337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the sensory integration and perceptual-motor performances in elementary school children (5-12 years) with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in Taiwan. The impacts of comprehensive body functions on activity participations in ASD were also investigated to provide evidence for clinical applications and further study. METHODS One hundred and seventeen children with ASD (42 females; aged 5-13 years, average age 8 years 3 months) were recruited. All participants were assessed with standardized measures of body functions and activity participations. The body function measures included Bruininks-Oseretsky of Motor Proficiency - Second Edition, Sensory Profile, Test of Sensory Integration Functions, and Test of Visual Perception Skills - Third Edition. The activity participation measures included the Chinese versions of both Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale and School Function Assessment. RESULTS School-aged children with ASD had different levels of impairments on body function measures. Most participant scores fell within the impairment range on 13 to 15 items out of the total 19 sensory and perceptual-motor measure subtests, with worst performance on coordination-related motor task and most sensory integrative dimensions. The results indicated a significant main effect for age and sex on some body functions and activity participations. Correlation analyses indicated strong associations between body function and activity participation across settings in ASD. CONCLUSION Our findings characterized the developmental continuum of body functions of school-aged children with ASD and showed their associations with adaptation and participation. While emphasizing the development of functional skills to facilitate age-appropriate activity participation in multiple scenarios, interventions aiming to improve body functions are indispensable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yee-Pay Wuang
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ling Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Yu Tsai
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Cui D, Guo Y, Cao W, Gao W, Qiu J, Su L, Jiao Q, Lu G. Correlation Between Decreased Amygdala Subnuclei Volumes and Impaired Cognitive Functions in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:612. [PMID: 32670120 PMCID: PMC7332860 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The amygdala has been proposed to be involved in the pathophysiology of pediatric and adult bipolar disorder (BD). The goal of this structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) study was to investigate the morphometric characteristics of amygdala subnuclei in patients with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) compared to healthy controls (HCs). Simultaneously, we examined correlation between amygdala subnuclei volumes and cognitive dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS We assessed 40 adolescent outpatients, diagnosed with manic or euthymic PBD according to the DSM-5 criteria for BD and 19 HCs. Cognitive functions were evaluated using a Stroop color-word test (SCWT), trail making test (TMT), visual reproduction immediate recall subtest (VR I), and digit span subtest (DST). Amygdala and its subnuclei structures were automated segmented using FreeSurfer software and the volumes of them were compared between groups and correlation with clinical and cognitive outcomes was conducted. RESULTS Manic patients exhibited significantly decreased volumes in the bilateral whole amygdala and its basal nucleus, cortico-amygdaloid transition (CAT), and accessory basal nucleus (ABN) compared with HCs. Euthymic patients had decreased volume in the bilateral ABN and left CAT. In addition, we found significant positive associations between VR I scores and the right whole amygdala and its bilateral basal, right lateral, and ABN volumes in the manic group. CONCLUSION These findings support previous reports of smaller amygdala volumes and cognitive dysfunctions in PBD, and further mapping abnormalities to specific amygdala subnuclei. Correlation between basolateral volume and VR I of PBD may expand our understanding of neural abnormalities that could be targeted by treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Cui
- College of Radiology, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Taian, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Brain Disease, Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of MedicalSciences, Taian, China
| | - Yongxin Guo
- College of Radiology, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Taian, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Brain Disease, Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of MedicalSciences, Taian, China
| | - Weifang Cao
- College of Radiology, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Taian, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Brain Disease, Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of MedicalSciences, Taian, China
| | - Weijia Gao
- Department of Child Psychology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianfeng Qiu
- College of Radiology, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Taian, China
| | - Linyan Su
- Mental Health Institute of The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qing Jiao
- College of Radiology, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Taian, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Brain Disease, Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of MedicalSciences, Taian, China
| | - Guangming Lu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Semino S, Zanobini M, Usai MC. Visual memory profile in children with high functioning autism. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-CHILD 2019; 10:26-36. [PMID: 30998085 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2019.1594231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Visual memory in children with high-functioning autism (HFA) is an area of debate. According to the few studies that have examined visual memory in children with autism, the memory profile appears to vary according to the memory process and type of stimuli, and contrasting results may be found. This study aims to analyze the visual memory profile of children with HFA. Fifteen children with HFA (mean age 9.6) and 15 typically developing children (TD; mean age 9.2) matched by chronological age and Leiter-R Brief IQ score took part in the study. Associative and recognition memory as well as visuospatial working memory were assessed. Impairments in face recognition and forward memory were found, whereas associative memory and shape recognition were preserved. The memory profile in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) showed relatively stronger abilities in associative memory than in the other visual memory domains. The results support the hypothesis that the level of stimulus processing may influence memory performance by having a large impact on tasks and stimuli that require access to a semantic or global level of processing. In contrast to the TD population, children with ASD may have difficulty extracting underlying regularities from experiences and generalizing that information. Highlights Children with high-functioning autism (HFA) show preserved ability in associative memory and shape recognition. Face recognition appears to be a specific deficit in children with HFA. Associative memory appeared to be the strongest ability in the memory profile of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing (TD) children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Semino
- Department of Education, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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