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Dwyer P, Vukusic S, Williams ZJ, Saron CD, Rivera SM. "Neural Noise" in Auditory Responses in Young Autistic and Neurotypical Children. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:642-661. [PMID: 36434480 PMCID: PMC10209352 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05797-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Elevated "neural noise" has been advanced as an explanation of autism and autistic sensory experiences. However, functional neuroimaging measures of neural noise may be vulnerable to contamination by recording noise. This study explored variability of electrophysiological responses to tones of different intensities in 127 autistic and 79 typically-developing children aged 2-5 years old. A rigorous data processing pipeline, including advanced visualizations of different signal sources that were maximally independent across different time lags, was used to identify and eliminate putative recording noise. Inter-trial variability was measured using median absolute deviations (MADs) of EEG amplitudes across trials and inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC). ITPC was elevated in autism in the 50 and 60 dB intensity conditions, suggesting diminished (rather than elevated) neural noise in autism, although reduced ITPC to soft 50 dB sounds was associated with increased loudness discomfort. Autistic and non-autistic participants did not differ in MADs, and indeed, the vast majority of the statistical tests examined in this study yielded no significant effects. These results appear inconsistent with the neural noise account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Dwyer
- Department of Psychology, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
- Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA.
| | | | - Zachary J Williams
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Clifford D Saron
- Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Susan M Rivera
- Department of Psychology, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
- College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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2
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Brittenham C, Gordon J, Zemon VM, Siper PM. Objective frequency analysis of transient visual evoked potentials in autistic children. Autism Res 2021; 15:464-480. [PMID: 34908250 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2654] [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: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) provide a means to examine neural mechanisms in autism with high temporal resolution. Conventional VEP analysis relies on subjective inspection of a few points (peaks and troughs) in the time-domain waveform. The current study applied power spectral analysis and magnitude-squared coherence (MSC) statistics (frequency-domain measures) to VEPs recorded during 1-minute runs and with a recently developed short-duration technique that allow for objective examination of the responses (Zemon & Gordon, European Journal of Neuroscience, 2018, 48, 1765-1788) from nonautistic and autistic children. Results indicate that, for both groups, early time-domain measures (P60 , N75 , P100 ) are highly correlated with middle- and high-frequency (14-28 and 30-48 Hz, respectively) mechanisms, and late measures are highly correlated with a low-frequency (6-12 Hz) mechanism. One frequency-domain measure (power in the middle-frequency band) is capable of predicting the key amplitude measure (N75 -P100 ) with high accuracy. MSC and power measures were combined to yield separate measures of signal and noise strength to evaluate alternate hypotheses in autism. Linear mixed-effects modeling demonstrated selective differences in early time-domain and middle-to-high frequency-domain measures in autistic children as compared to nonautistic children given both recording techniques, implicating weaker excitatory input to the cortex. Receiver-operating-characteristic curve analysis showed predictive diagnostic accuracy for middle- and high-frequency bands based on MSC. These findings support the value of frequency analysis measures (power spectral analysis and MSC) in the objective examination of neural differences in autism. LAY SUMMARY: Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) are used to assess neural mechanisms. Typically, VEPs are analyzed by subjective examination of time-series waveforms; but here objective techniques were applied to quantify VEP frequency components to investigate neural differences between autistic and nonautistic children. The objective measures demonstrate group differences in brain function that point to weaker excitatory input to the cortex in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Brittenham
- Department of Psychology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - James Gordon
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Vance M Zemon
- Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Paige M Siper
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Daum H, Ganapathi M, Hirsch Y, Griffin EL, LeDuc CA, Hagen J, Yagel S, Meiner V, Chung WK, Mor-Shaked H. Bi-allelic PAGR1 variants are associated with microcephaly and a severe neurodevelopmental disorder: Genetic evidence from two families. Am J Med Genet A 2021; 188:336-342. [PMID: 34585832 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Exome and genome sequencing were used to identify the genetic etiology of a severe neurodevelopmental disorder in two unrelated Ashkenazi Jewish families with three affected individuals. The clinical findings included a prenatal presentation of microcephaly, polyhydramnios and clenched hands while postnatal findings included microcephaly, severe developmental delay, dysmorphism, neurologic deficits, and death in infancy. A shared rare homozygous, missense variant (c.274A > G; p.Ser92Gly, NM_024516.4) was identified in PAGR1, a gene currently not associated with a Mendelian disease. PAGR1 encodes a component of the histone methyltransferase MLL2/MLL3 complex and may function in the DNA damage response pathway. Complete knockout of the murine Pagr1a is embryonic-lethal. Given the available evidence, PAGR1 is a strong candidate gene for a novel autosomal recessive severe syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagit Daum
- Department of Genetics, Hadassah Medical Organization and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Mythily Ganapathi
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yoel Hirsch
- Dor Yeshorim, Committee for Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Emily L Griffin
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Charles A LeDuc
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jacob Hagen
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Simcha Yagel
- Obstetrics and gynecology, Hadassah Medical Organization and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Vardiella Meiner
- Department of Genetics, Hadassah Medical Organization and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hagar Mor-Shaked
- Department of Genetics, Hadassah Medical Organization and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
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Al-Jawahiri R, Jones M, Milne E. Spontaneous neural activity relates to psychiatric traits in 16p11.2 CNV carriers: An analysis of EEG spectral power and multiscale entropy. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 136:610-618. [PMID: 33158556 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Copy number variations (CNV) at the 16p11.2 chromosomal region are rare high-risk CNVs associated with various clinical features and psychiatric disorders including intellectual disability, developmental delays, and autism spectrum disorder. No study to date has investigated whether spontaneous neural activity is altered for 16p11.2 CNV carriers and whether this relates to psychiatric traits. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of 16p11.2 deletions (del) and duplications (dup) on spontaneous neural activity and its relationship to psychiatric problems. EEG was previously collected as part of the Simons Searchlight initiative. Using spectral power (delta, theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands), complexity index (CI), and multiscale entropy analysis techniques, we analyzed frontal resting-state EEG data collected from 22 16p11.2 del carriers, 14 dup carriers, and 13 controls. We then examined associations between neural activity and psychiatric traits, measured with the Child Behavior Checklist. Results indicated that EEG entropy was higher for del and dup compared to controls, respectively, at all timescales. CI was also higher for del and dup compared to controls. Theta power of 16p11.2 dup carriers was higher than controls. A strong association was found between entropy at higher timescales and anxiety problems. In addition, a strong correlation was found between theta power and pervasive developmental problems. Atypical spontaneous neural activity is implicated in 16p11.2 CNVs. With higher entropy or theta power, psychiatric traits increase in severity. Our findings provide evidence of the link between genotype, neural activity, and phenotypes in 16p11.2 CNVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Al-Jawahiri
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.
| | - Myles Jones
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Milne
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Yang L, You C, Qiu S, Yang X, Li Y, Liu F, Zhang D, Niu Y, Xu L, Xu N, Li X, Luo F, Yang J, Li B. Novel and de novo point and large microdeletion mutation in PRRT2-related epilepsy. Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01597. [PMID: 32237035 PMCID: PMC7218244 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Point and copy number variant mutations in the PRRT2 gene have been identified in a variety of paroxysmal disorders and different types of epilepsy. In this study, we analyzed the phenotypes and PRRT2-related mutations in Chinese epilepsy children. METHODS A total of 492 children with epilepsy were analyzed by whole exome sequencing (WES) and low-coverage massively parallel CNV sequencing (CNV-seq) to find the single nucleotide variants and copy number variations (CNVs). And quantitative polymerase chain reaction was utilized to verify the CNVs. Their clinical information was followed up. RESULTS We found PRRT2-related mutations in 19 patients (10 males and nine females, six sporadic cases and 13 family cases). Twelve point mutations, four whole gene deletion, and three 16p11.2 deletions were detected. The clinical features of 39 patients in 19 families included one early childhood myoclonic epilepsy (ECME), one febrile seizure (FS), two infantile convulsions with paroxysmal choreoathetosis (ICCA), six paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesias (PKD), 12 benign infantile epilepsy (BIE), and 17 benign familial infantile epilepsy (BFIE). All patients had normal brain MRI. Interictal EEG showed only one patient had generalized polyspike wave and five patients had focal transient discharges. Focal seizures originating in the frontal region were recorded in one patient, two from the temporal region, and two from the occipital region. Most patients were treated effectively with VPA or OXC, and the child with myoclonic seizures was not sensitive to antiepileptic drugs. CONCLUSION PRRT2 mutations can be inherited or de novo, mainly inherited. The clinical spectrum of PRRT2 mutation includes BIE, BFIE, ICCA, PKD, FS, and ECME. The PRRT2-related mutations contained point mutation, whole gene deletion and 16p11.2 deletions, and large microdeletion mutations mostly de novo. It is the first report of PRRT2 mutation found in ECME. Our report expands the mutation and clinical spectrum of PRRT2-related epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Cuiping You
- Central Laboratory, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Shiyan Qiu
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Xiaofan Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yufen Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Zibo Zhangdian Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zibo, China
| | - Dongqing Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yue Niu
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Liyun Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Shandong medical college, Linyi, China
| | - Na Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | | | - Junli Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Baomin Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Kovarski K, Malvy J, Khanna RK, Arsène S, Batty M, Latinus M. Reduced visual evoked potential amplitude in autism spectrum disorder, a variability effect? Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:341. [PMID: 31852886 PMCID: PMC6920480 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0672-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Atypical sensory behaviours represent a core symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Investigating early visual processing is crucial to deepen our understanding of higher-level processes. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) to pattern-reversal checkerboards were recorded in ASD children and age-matched controls. Peak analysis of the P100 component and two types of single-trial analyses were carried out. P100 amplitude was reduced in the ASD group, consistent with previous reports. The analysis of the proportion of trials with a positive activity in the latency range of the P100, measuring inter-trial (in)consistency, allowed identifying two subgroups of ASD participants: the first group, as control children, showed a high inter-trial consistency, whereas the other group showed an inter-trial inconsistency. Analysis of median absolute deviation of single-trial P100 (st-P100) latencies revealed an increased latency variability in the ASD group. Both single-trial analyses revealed increased variability in a subset of children with ASD. To control for this variability, VEPs were reconstructed by including only positive trials or trials with homogeneous st-P100 latencies. These control analyses abolished group differences, confirming that the reduced P100 amplitude results from increased inter-trial variability in ASD. This increased variability in ASD supports the neural noise theory. The existence of subgroups in ASD suggests that the neural response variability is not a genuine characteristic of the entire autistic spectrum, but rather characterized subgroups of children. Exploring the relationship between sensory responsiveness and inter-trial variability could provide more precise bioclinical profiles in children with ASD, and complete the functional diagnostic crucial for the development of individualized therapeutical projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Kovarski
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France. .,CNRS (Integrative Neuroscience and Cognition Center, UMR 8002), Paris, France. .,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France. .,Fondation Ophtalmologique A. de Rothschild, Paris, France.
| | - Joëlle Malvy
- 0000 0001 2182 6141grid.12366.30UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France ,0000 0004 1765 1600grid.411167.4CHRU de Tours, Centre Universitaire de Pédopsychiatrie, Tours, France
| | - Raoul K. Khanna
- 0000 0001 2182 6141grid.12366.30UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France ,0000 0004 1765 1600grid.411167.4CHRU de Tours, Département d’Ophtalmologie, Tours, France
| | - Sophie Arsène
- 0000 0004 1765 1600grid.411167.4CHRU de Tours, Département d’Ophtalmologie, Tours, France
| | - Magali Batty
- 0000 0001 2353 1689grid.11417.32Université de Toulouse, CERPPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Marianne Latinus
- 0000 0001 2182 6141grid.12366.30UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
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