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de Albuquerque LL, Pantovic M, Wilkins EW, Morris D, Clingo M, Boss S, Riley ZA, Poston B. Exploring the Influence of Inter-Trial Interval on the Assessment of Short-Interval Intracortical Inhibition. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:645. [PMID: 39061727 PMCID: PMC11274151 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11070645] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) is a common paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measure used to assess primary motor cortex (M1) interneuron activity in healthy populations and in neurological disorders. Many of the parameters of TMS stimulation to most accurately measure SICI have been determined. However, one TMS parameter that has not been investigated is the time between SICI trials (termed inter-trial interval; ITI). This is despite a series of single-pulse TMS studies which have reported that motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude were suppressed for short, but not long ITIs in approximately the initial ten trials of a TMS block of 20-30 trials. The primary purpose was to examine the effects of ITI on the quantification of SICI at rest. A total of 23 healthy adults completed an experimental session that included four SICI trial blocks. Each block utilized a different ITI (4, 6, 8, and 10 s) and was comprised of a total of 26 SICI trials divided into three epochs. ANOVA revealed that the main effects for ITI and epoch as well as their interaction were all non-statistically significant for SICI. We conclude that the shorter (4-6 s) ITIs used in studies investigating SICI should not alter the interpretation of M1 activity, while having the advantages of being more comfortable to participants and reducing the experimental time needed to evaluate perform single and paired-pulse TMS experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidio Lima de Albuquerque
- School of Health and Applied Human Sciences, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA;
| | - Milan Pantovic
- Health and Human Performance Department, Utah Tech University, St. George, UT 84770, USA;
| | - Erik W. Wilkins
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA;
| | - Desiree Morris
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (D.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Mitchell Clingo
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (D.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Sage Boss
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA;
| | - Zachary A. Riley
- Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - Brach Poston
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA;
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Pantovic M, Boss R, Noorda KJ, Premyanov MI, Aynlender DG, Wilkins EW, Boss S, Riley ZA, Poston B. The Influence of Different Inter-Trial Intervals on the Quantification of Intracortical Facilitation in the Primary Motor Cortex. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1278. [PMID: 38002401 PMCID: PMC10669180 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10111278] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracortical facilitation (ICF) is a paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measurement used to quantify interneuron activity in the primary motor cortex (M1) in healthy populations and motor disorders. Due to the prevalence of the technique, most of the stimulation parameters to optimize ICF quantification have been established. However, the underappreciated methodological issue of the time between ICF trials (inter-trial interval; ITI) has been unstandardized, and different ITIs have never been compared in a paired-pulse TMS study. This is important because single-pulse TMS studies have found motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude reductions over time during TMS trial blocks for short, but not long ITIs. The primary purpose was to determine the influence of different ITIs on the measurement of ICF. Twenty adults completed one experimental session that involved 4 separate ICF trial blocks with each utilizing a different ITI (4, 6, 8, and 10 s). Two-way ANOVAs indicated no significant ITI main effects for test MEP amplitudes, condition-test MEP amplitudes, and therefore ICF. Accordingly, all ITIs studied provided nearly identical ICF values when averaged over entire trial blocks. Therefore, it is recommended that ITIs of 4-6 s be utilized for ICF quantification to optimize participant comfort and experiment time efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Pantovic
- Health and Human Performance Department, Utah Tech University, St. George, UT 84770, USA;
| | - Rhett Boss
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (R.B.); (K.J.N.); (M.I.P.); (D.G.A.)
| | - Kevin J. Noorda
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (R.B.); (K.J.N.); (M.I.P.); (D.G.A.)
| | - Mario I. Premyanov
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (R.B.); (K.J.N.); (M.I.P.); (D.G.A.)
| | - Daniel G. Aynlender
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (R.B.); (K.J.N.); (M.I.P.); (D.G.A.)
| | - Erik W. Wilkins
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA;
| | - Sage Boss
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA;
| | - Zachary A. Riley
- Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - Brach Poston
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA;
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Pantovic M, Lidstone DE, de Albuquerque LL, Wilkins EW, Munoz IA, Aynlender DG, Morris D, Dufek JS, Poston B. Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Applied over Multiple Days Does Not Enhance Motor Learning of a Complex Overhand Throwing Task in Young Adults. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1265. [PMID: 38002389 PMCID: PMC10669324 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10111265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) enhances motor skill and learning in relatively simple motor tasks, but it is unclear if c-tDCS can improve motor performance in complex motor tasks. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of c-tDCS applied over multiple days on motor learning in a complex overhand throwing task. In a double-blind, randomized, between-subjects, SHAM-controlled, experimental design, 30 young adults were assigned to either a c-tDCS or a SHAM group. Participants completed three identical experiments on consecutive days that involved overhand throwing in a pre-test block, five practice blocks with concurrent c-tDCS, and a post-test block. Overhand throwing endpoint accuracy was quantified as the endpoint error. The first dorsal interosseous muscle motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to quantify primary motor cortex (M1) excitability modulations via c-tDCS. Endpoint error significantly decreased over the 3 days of practice, but the magnitude of decrease was not significantly different between the c-tDCS and SHAM group. Similarly, MEP amplitude slightly increased from the pre-tests to the post-tests, but these increases did not differ between groups. These results indicate that multi-day c-tDCS does not improve motor learning in an overhand throwing task or increase M1 excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Pantovic
- Health and Human Performance Department, Utah Tech University, St. George, UT 84770, USA;
| | - Daniel E. Lidstone
- Center for Neurodevelopment and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Lidio Lima de Albuquerque
- School of Health and Applied Human Sciences, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA;
| | - Erik W. Wilkins
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (E.W.W.); (J.S.D.)
| | - Irwin A. Munoz
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (I.A.M.); (D.G.A.); (D.M.)
| | - Daniel G. Aynlender
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (I.A.M.); (D.G.A.); (D.M.)
| | - Desiree Morris
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (I.A.M.); (D.G.A.); (D.M.)
| | - Janet S. Dufek
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (E.W.W.); (J.S.D.)
| | - Brach Poston
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (E.W.W.); (J.S.D.)
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Pantovic M, de Albuquerque LL, Mastrantonio S, Pomerantz AS, Wilkins EW, Riley ZA, Guadagnoli MA, Poston B. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of Primary Motor Cortex over Multiple Days Improves Motor Learning of a Complex Overhand Throwing Task. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1441. [PMID: 37891809 PMCID: PMC10604977 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101441] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the primary motor cortex (M1) improves motor learning in relatively simple motor tasks performed with the hand and arm. However, it is unknown if tDCS can improve motor learning in complex motor tasks involving whole-body coordination with significant endpoint accuracy requirements. The primary purpose was to determine the influence of tDCS on motor learning over multiple days in a complex over-hand throwing task. This study utilized a double-blind, randomized, SHAM-controlled, between-subjects experimental design. Forty-six young adults were allocated to either a tDCS group or a SHAM group and completed three experimental sessions on three consecutive days at the same time of day. Each experimental session was identical and consisted of overhand throwing trials to a target in a pre-test block, five practice blocks performed simultaneously with 20 min of tDCS, and a post-test block. Overhand throwing performance was quantified as the endpoint error. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to obtain motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) from the first dorsal interosseus muscle to quantify changes in M1 excitability due to tDCS. Endpoint error significantly decreased over the three days of practice in the tDCS group but not in the SHAM group. MEP amplitude significantly increased in the tDCS group, but the MEP increases were not associated with increases in motor learning. These findings indicate that tDCS applied over multiple days can improve motor learning in a complex motor tasks in healthy young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Pantovic
- Health and Human Performance Department, Utah Tech University, St. George, UT 84770, USA;
| | - Lidio Lima de Albuquerque
- School of Health and Applied Human Sciences, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA;
| | - Sierra Mastrantonio
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (S.M.); (A.S.P.); (M.A.G.)
| | - Austin S. Pomerantz
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (S.M.); (A.S.P.); (M.A.G.)
| | - Erik W. Wilkins
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA;
| | - Zachary A. Riley
- Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - Mark A. Guadagnoli
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (S.M.); (A.S.P.); (M.A.G.)
| | - Brach Poston
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA;
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de Albuquerque LL, Pantovic M, Clingo M, Fischer K, Jalene S, Landers M, Mari Z, Poston B. A Single Application of Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Fails to Enhance Motor Skill Acquisition in Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2219. [PMID: 37626716 PMCID: PMC10452618 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to numerous impairments in motor function that compromise the ability to perform activities of daily living. Practical and effective adjunct therapies are needed to complement current treatment approaches in PD. Transcranial direct current stimulation applied to the cerebellum (c-tDCS) can increase motor skill in young and older adults. Because the cerebellum is involved in PD pathology, c-tDCS application during motor practice could potentially enhance motor skill in PD. The primary purpose was to examine the influence of c-tDCS on motor skill acquisition in a complex, visuomotor isometric precision grip task (PGT) in PD in the OFF-medication state. The secondary purpose was to determine the influence of c-tDCS on transfer of motor skill in PD. The study utilized a double-blind, SHAM-controlled, within-subjects design. A total of 16 participants completed a c-tDCS condition and a SHAM condition in two experimental sessions separated by a 7-day washout period. Each session involved practice of the PGT concurrent with either c-tDCS or SHAM. Additionally, motor transfer tasks were quantified before and after the practice and stimulation period. The force error in the PGT was not significantly different between the c-tDCS and SHAM conditions. Similarly, transfer task performance was not significantly different between the c-tDCS and SHAM conditions. These findings indicate that a single session of c-tDCS does not elicit acute improvements in motor skill acquisition or transfer in hand and arm tasks in PD while participants are off medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidio Lima de Albuquerque
- School of Health and Applied Human Sciences, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA;
| | - Milan Pantovic
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (M.P.); (K.F.); (S.J.)
| | - Mitchell Clingo
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA;
| | - Katherine Fischer
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (M.P.); (K.F.); (S.J.)
| | - Sharon Jalene
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (M.P.); (K.F.); (S.J.)
| | - Merrill Landers
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA;
| | - Zoltan Mari
- Movement Disorders Program, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas, NV 89106, USA;
| | - Brach Poston
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; (M.P.); (K.F.); (S.J.)
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De Francesco S, Morello L, Fioravanti M, Cassaro C, Grazioli S, Busti Ceccarelli S, Nobile M, Molteni M, Crippa A. A multimodal approach can identify specific motor profiles in autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Autism Res 2023; 16:1550-1560. [PMID: 37530700 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2989] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
It is still unclear whether and to what extent the motor difficulties are specific to autism. This study aimed to determine whether a multimodal assessment of motor skills could accurately discriminate autistic children from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and typically developing (TD) peers. Seventy-five children, aged 7-13, equally divided into three groups, were assessed with the developmental coordination disorder questionnaire (DCDQ), the movement assessment battery for children 2 (MABC2), the sensorimotor subtests of NEPSY-II, and the kinematic analysis of a reach-to-drop task. Principal component analysis (PCA) on DCDQ subscales revealed one factor-Caregiver Report-, whereas MABC2/NEPSY-II scores identified three factors-namely, Object Interception and Balance, Motor Imitation, and Fine-Motor Skills-. Lastly, PCA on kinematic variables identified four factors: PC1, loaded by the parameters of velocity and acceleration throughout the task, PC2 and PC3 involved the temporal parameters of the two submovements, and PC4 accounted for the wrist inclination at ball drop. When comparing autistic and TD children, Caregiver Report and Motor Imitation factors predicted membership with 87.2% of accuracy. In the model comparing ADHD and TD groups, Caregiver Report and Fine-Motor Skills predicted membership with an accuracy of 73.5%. In the last model, the Object Interception and Balance factor differentiated autistic children from ADHD with an accuracy of 73.5%. In line with our previous findings, kinematics did not differentiate school-aged autistic children from ADHD and TD peers. The present findings show that specific motor profiles in autism and ADHD can be isolated with a multimodal investigation of motor skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano De Francesco
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Morello
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Fioravanti
- Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University, Milan, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Cassaro
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Silvia Grazioli
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Maria Nobile
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Massimo Molteni
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
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Unruh KE, Bartolotti JV, McKinney WS, Schmitt LM, Sweeney JA, Mosconi MW. Functional connectivity of cortical-cerebellar networks in relation to sensorimotor behavior and clinical features in autism spectrum disorder. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:8990-9002. [PMID: 37246152 PMCID: PMC10350826 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensorimotor issues are present in the majority of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and are associated with core symptoms. The neural systems associated with these impairments remain unclear. Using a visually guided precision gripping task during functional magnetic resonance imaging, we characterized task-based connectivity and activation of cortical, subcortical, and cerebellar visuomotor networks. Participants with ASD (n = 19; ages 10-33) and age- and sex-matched neurotypical controls (n = 18) completed a visuomotor task at low and high force levels. Relative to controls, individuals with ASD showed reduced functional connectivity of right primary motor-anterior cingulate cortex and left anterior intraparietal lobule (aIPL)-right Crus I at high force only. At low force, increased caudate, and cerebellar activation each were associated with sensorimotor behavior in controls, but not in ASD. Reduced left aIPL-right Crus I connectivity was associated with more severe clinically rated ASD symptoms. These findings suggest that sensorimotor problems in ASD, particularly at high force levels, involve deficits in the integration of multimodal sensory feedback and reduced reliance on error-monitoring processes. Adding to literature positing that cerebellar dysfunction contributes to multiple developmental issues in ASD, our data implicate parietal-cerebellar connectivity as a key neural marker underlying both core and comorbid features of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Unruh
- Life Span Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - James V Bartolotti
- Hoglund Biomedical Imaging Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Walker S McKinney
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Lauren M Schmitt
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - John A Sweeney
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Matthew W Mosconi
- Life Span Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
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Mendez AI, Tokish H, McQueen E, Chawla S, Klin A, Maitre NL, Klaiman C. A Comparison of the Clinical Presentation of Preterm Birth and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Commonalities and Distinctions in Children Under 3. Clin Perinatol 2023; 50:81-101. [PMID: 36868715 PMCID: PMC10842306 DOI: 10.1016/j.clp.2022.11.001] [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] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Premature infants and infants later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) share many commonalities in clinical presentations. However, prematurity and ASD also have differences in clinical presentation. These overlapping phenotypes can lead to misdiagnoses of ASD or missing a diagnosis of ASD in preterm infants. We document these commonalities and differences in various developmental domains with the hope of aiding in the accurate early detection of ASD and timely intervention implementation in children born premature. Given the degree of similarities in presentation, evidence-based interventions designed specifically for preterm toddlers or toddlers with ASD may ultimately aid both populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana I Mendez
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Marcus Autism Center, 1920 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 1405 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Hannah Tokish
- Marcus Autism Center, 1920 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 1405 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Emma McQueen
- Marcus Autism Center, 1920 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 1405 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Shivaang Chawla
- Marcus Autism Center, 1920 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 1405 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Ami Klin
- Marcus Autism Center, 1920 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 1405 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Nathalie L Maitre
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 1405 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Cheryl Klaiman
- Marcus Autism Center, 1920 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 1405 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Lepping RJ, McKinney WS, Magnon GC, Keedy SK, Wang Z, Coombes SA, Vaillancourt DE, Sweeney JA, Mosconi MW. Visuomotor brain network activation and functional connectivity among individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 43:844-859. [PMID: 34716740 PMCID: PMC8720186 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25692] [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: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensorimotor abnormalities are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and predictive of functional outcomes, though their neural underpinnings remain poorly understood. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we examined both brain activation and functional connectivity during visuomotor behavior in 27 individuals with ASD and 30 typically developing (TD) controls (ages 9–35 years). Participants maintained a constant grip force while receiving visual feedback at three different visual gain levels. Relative to controls, ASD participants showed increased force variability, especially at high gain, and reduced entropy. Brain activation was greater in individuals with ASD than controls in supplementary motor area, bilateral superior parietal lobules, and contralateral middle frontal gyrus at high gain. During motor action, functional connectivity was reduced between parietal‐premotor and parietal‐putamen in individuals with ASD compared to controls. Individuals with ASD also showed greater age‐associated increases in functional connectivity between cerebellum and visual, motor, and prefrontal cortical areas relative to controls. These results indicate that visuomotor deficits in ASD are associated with atypical activation and functional connectivity of posterior parietal, premotor, and striatal circuits involved in translating sensory feedback information into precision motor behaviors, and that functional connectivity of cerebellar–cortical sensorimotor and nonsensorimotor networks show delayed maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Lepping
- Hoglund Biomedical Imaging Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Walker S McKinney
- Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, Clinical Child Psychology Program, and Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Grant C Magnon
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sarah K Keedy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.,Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Stephen A Coombes
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - David E Vaillancourt
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - John A Sweeney
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Matthew W Mosconi
- Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, Clinical Child Psychology Program, and Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
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Lidstone DE, Mostofsky SH. Moving Toward Understanding Autism: Visual-Motor Integration, Imitation, and Social Skill Development. Pediatr Neurol 2021; 122:98-105. [PMID: 34330613 PMCID: PMC8372541 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2021.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a behavioral phenotype characterized by impaired development of social-communicative skills and excessive repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. Despite high phenotypic heterogeneity in ASD, a meaningful subpopulation of children with ASD (∼90%) show significant general motor impairment. More focused studies on the nature of motor impairment in ASD reveal that children with ASD are particularly impaired on tasks such as ball catching and motor imitation that require efficient visual-motor integration (VMI). Motor computational approaches also provide evidence for VMI impairment showing that children with ASD form internal sensorimotor representations that bias proprioceptive over visual feedback. Impaired integration of visual information to form internal representations of others' and the external world may explain observed impairments on VMI tasks and motor imitation of others. Motor imitation is crucial for acquiring both social and motor skills, and impaired imitation skill may contribute to the observed core behavioral phenotype of ASD. The current review examines evidence supporting VMI impairment as a core feature of ASD that may contribute to both impaired motor imitation and social-communicative skill development. We propose that understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying VMI impairment in ASD may be key to discovery of therapeutics to address disability in children and adults with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Lidstone
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Stewart H Mostofsky
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Zampella CJ, Wang LAL, Haley M, Hutchinson AG, de Marchena A. Motor Skill Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Clinically Focused Review. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2021; 23:64. [PMID: 34387753 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-021-01280-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review synthesizes recent, clinically relevant findings on the scope, significance, and centrality of motor skill differences in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). RECENT FINDINGS Motor challenges in ASD are pervasive, clinically meaningful, and highly underrecognized, with up to 87% of the autistic population affected but only a small percentage receiving motor-focused clinical care. Across development, motor differences are associated with both core autism symptoms and broader functioning, though the precise nature of those associations and the specificity of motor profiles to ASD remain unestablished. Findings suggest that motor difficulties in ASD are quantifiable and treatable, and that detection and intervention efforts targeting motor function may also positively influence social communication. Recent evidence supports a need for explicit recognition of motor impairment within the diagnostic framework of ASD as a clinical specifier. Motor differences in ASD warrant greater clinical attention and routine incorporation into screening, evaluation, and treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey J Zampella
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Leah A L Wang
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Margaret Haley
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anne G Hutchinson
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ashley de Marchena
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Unruh KE, McKinney WS, Bojanek EK, Fleming KK, Sweeney JA, Mosconi MW. Initial action output and feedback-guided motor behaviors in autism spectrum disorder. Mol Autism 2021; 12:52. [PMID: 34246292 PMCID: PMC8272343 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-021-00452-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sensorimotor issues are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), related to core symptoms, and predictive of worse functional outcomes. Deficits in rapid behaviors supported primarily by feedforward mechanisms, and continuous, feedback-guided motor behaviors each have been reported, but the degrees to which they are distinct or co-segregate within individuals and across development are not well understood. METHODS We characterized behaviors that varied in their involvement of feedforward control relative to feedback control across skeletomotor (precision grip force) and oculomotor (saccades) control systems in 109 individuals with ASD and 101 age-matched typically developing controls (range: 5-29 years) including 58 individuals with ASD and 57 controls who completed both grip and saccade tests. Grip force was examined across multiple force (15, 45, and 85% MVC) and visual gain levels (low, medium, high). Maximum grip force also was examined. During grip force tests, reaction time, initial force output accuracy, variability, and entropy were examined. For the saccade test, latency, accuracy, and trial-wise variability of latency and accuracy were examined. RESULTS Relative to controls, individuals with ASD showed similar accuracy of initial grip force but reduced accuracy of saccadic eye movements specific to older ages of our sample. Force variability was greater in ASD relative to controls, but saccade gain variability (across trials) was not different between groups. Force entropy was reduced in ASD, especially at older ages. We also find reduced grip strength in ASD that was more severe in dominant compared to non-dominant hands. LIMITATIONS Our age-related findings rely on cross-sectional data. Longitudinal studies of sensorimotor behaviors and their associations with ASD symptoms are needed. CONCLUSIONS We identify reduced accuracy of initial motor output in ASD that was specific to the oculomotor system implicating deficient feedforward control that may be mitigated during slower occurring behaviors executed in the periphery. Individuals with ASD showed increased continuous force variability but similar levels of trial-to-trial saccade accuracy variability suggesting that feedback-guided refinement of motor commands is deficient specifically when adjustments occur rapidly during continuous behavior. We also document reduced lateralization of grip strength in ASD implicating atypical hemispheric specialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Unruh
- Life Span Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Walker S McKinney
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Erin K Bojanek
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | | | - John A Sweeney
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Matthew W Mosconi
- Life Span Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
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Lidstone DE, Rochowiak R, Mostofsky SH, Nebel MB. A Data Driven Approach Reveals That Anomalous Motor System Connectivity is Associated With the Severity of Core Autism Symptoms. Autism Res 2021:10.1002/aur.2476. [PMID: 33484109 PMCID: PMC8931705 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
This study examined whether disruptions in connectivity involving regions critical for learning, planning, and executing movements are relevant to core autism symptoms. Spatially constrained ICA was performed using resting-state fMRI from 419 children (autism spectrum disorder (ASD) = 105; typically developing (TD) = 314) to identify functional motor subdivisions. Comparing the spatial organization of each subdivision between groups, we found voxels that contributed significantly less to the right posterior cerebellar component in children with ASD versus TD (P <0.001). Next, we examined the effect of diagnosis on right posterior cerebellar connectivity with all other motor subdivisions. The model was significant (P = 0.014) revealing that right posterior cerebellar connectivity with bilateral dorsomedial primary motor cortex was, on average, stronger in children with ASD, while right posterior cerebellar connectivity with left-inferior parietal lobule (IPL), bilateral dorsolateral premotor cortex, and supplementary motor area was stronger in TD children (all P ≤0.02). We observed a diagnosis-by-connectivity interaction such that for children with ASD, elevated social-communicative and excessive repetitive-behavior symptom severity were both associated with right posterior cerebellar-left-IPL hypoconnectivity (P ≤0.001). Right posterior cerebellar and left-IPL are strongly implicated in visuomotor processing with dysfunction in this circuit possibly leading to anomalous development of skills, such as motor imitation, that are crucial for effective social-communication. LAY SUMMARY: This study examines whether communication between various brain regions involved in the control of movement are disrupted in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We show communication between the right posterior cerebellum and left IPL, a circuit important for efficient visual-motor integration, is disrupted in children with ASD and associated with the severity of ASD symptoms. These results may explain observations of visual-motor integration impairments in children with ASD that are associated with ASD symptom severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E. Lidstone
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rebecca Rochowiak
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stewart H. Mostofsky
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mary Beth Nebel
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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