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Parrella NF, Hill AT, Dipnall LM, Loke YJ, Enticott PG, Ford TC. Inhibitory dysfunction and social processing difficulties in autism: A comprehensive narrative review. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 169:113-125. [PMID: 38016393 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has a prominent role in regulating neural development and function, with disruption to GABAergic signalling linked to behavioural phenotypes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism. Such neurochemical disruption, likely resulting from diverse genetic and molecular mechanisms, particularly during early development, can subsequently affect the cellular balance of excitation and inhibition in neuronal circuits, which may account for the social processing difficulties observed in autism and related conditions. This comprehensive narrative review integrates diverse streams of research from several disciplines, including molecular neurobiology, genetics, epigenetics, and systems neuroscience. In so doing it aims to elucidate the relevance of inhibitory dysfunction to autism, with specific focus on social processing difficulties that represent a core feature of this disorder. Many of the social processing difficulties experienced in autism have been linked to higher levels of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and/or lower levels of inhibitory GABA. While current therapeutic options for social difficulties in autism are largely limited to behavioural interventions, this review highlights the psychopharmacological studies that explore the utility of GABA modulation in alleviating such difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aron T Hill
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lillian M Dipnall
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Early Life Epigenetics Group, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Yuk Jing Loke
- Epigenetics Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter G Enticott
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Talitha C Ford
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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2
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Schwingel GB, Fontes-Dutra M, Ramos B, Riesgo R, Bambini-Junior V, Gottfried C. Preventive effects of resveratrol against early-life impairments in the animal model of autism induced by valproic acid. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2023; 15:242-251. [PMID: 37841088 PMCID: PMC10570715 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social interaction deficits and repetitive/stereotyped behaviors. Its prevalence is increasing, affecting one in 36 children in the United States. The valproic acid (VPA) induced animal model of ASD is a reliable method for investigating cellular, molecular, and behavioral aspects related to the disorder. Trans-Resveratrol (RSV), a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects studied in various diseases, has recently demonstrated the ability to prevent cellular, molecular, sensory, and social deficits in the VPA model. In this study, we examined the effects of prenatal exposure to VPA and the potential preventive effects of RSV on the offspring. Method We monitored gestational weight from embryonic day 6.5 until 18.5 and assessed the onset of developmental milestones and morphometric parameters in litters. The generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to analyze longitudinal data. Results Exposure to VPA during rat pregnancy resulted in abnormal weight gain fold-changes on embryonic days 13.5 and 18.5, followed by fewer animals per litter. Additionally, we discovered a positive correlation between weight variation during E15.5-E18.5 and the number of rat pups in the VPA group. Conclusion VPA exposure led to slight length deficiencies and delays in the onset of developmental milestones. Interestingly, the prenatal RSV treatment not only prevented most of these delays but also led to the early onset of certain milestones and improved morphometric characteristics in the offspring. In summary, our findings suggest that RSV may have potential as a therapeutic intervention to protect against the negative effects of prenatal VPA exposure, highlighting its importance in future studies of prenatal neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Brum Schwingel
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil
- Autism Wellbeing and Research Development (AWARD) Initiative, BR-UK-CA, Brazil
| | - Mellanie Fontes-Dutra
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil
- Autism Wellbeing and Research Development (AWARD) Initiative, BR-UK-CA, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Ramos
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Rudimar Riesgo
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil
- Autism Wellbeing and Research Development (AWARD) Initiative, BR-UK-CA, Brazil
- Child Neurology Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Brazil
| | - Victorio Bambini-Junior
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil
- Autism Wellbeing and Research Development (AWARD) Initiative, BR-UK-CA, Brazil
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Carmem Gottfried
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders-GETTEA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil
- Autism Wellbeing and Research Development (AWARD) Initiative, BR-UK-CA, Brazil
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3
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Thompson E, Feldman JI, Valle A, Davis H, Keceli-Kaysili B, Dunham K, Woynaroski T, Tharpe AM, Picou EM. A Comparison of Listening Skills of Autistic and Non-Autistic Youth While Using and Not Using Remote Microphone Systems. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2023; 66:4618-4634. [PMID: 37870877 PMCID: PMC10721240 DOI: 10.1044/2023_jslhr-22-00720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purposes of this study were to compare (a) listening-in-noise (accuracy and effort) and (b) remote microphone (RM) system benefits between autistic and non-autistic youth. DESIGN Groups of autistic and non-autistic youth that were matched on chronological age and biological sex completed listening-in-noise testing when wearing and not wearing an RM system. Listening-in-noise accuracy and listening effort were evaluated simultaneously using a dual-task paradigm for stimuli varying in type (syllables, words, sentences, and passages). Several putative moderators of RM system effects on outcomes of interest were also evaluated. RESULTS Autistic youth outperformed non-autistic youth in some conditions on listening-in-noise accuracy; listening effort between the two groups was not significantly different. RM system use resulted in listening-in-noise accuracy improvements that were nonsignificantly different across groups. Benefits of listening-in-noise accuracy were all large in magnitude. RM system use did not have an effect on listening effort for either group. None of the putative moderators yielded effects of the RM system on listening-in-noise accuracy or effort for non-autistic youth that were significant and interpretable, indicating that RM system benefits did not vary according to any of the participant characteristics assessed. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to expectations, autistic youth did not demonstrate listening-in-noise deficits compared to non-autistic youth. Both autistic and non-autistic youth appear to experience RM system benefits marked by large gains in listening-in-noise performance. Thus, the use of this technology in educational and other noisy settings where speech perception needs enhancement might be beneficial for both groups of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Thompson
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Jacob I. Feldman
- Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Nashville, TN
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Annalise Valle
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Hilary Davis
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Bahar Keceli-Kaysili
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Kacie Dunham
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN
| | - Tiffany Woynaroski
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Nashville, TN
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Anne Marie Tharpe
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Erin M. Picou
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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López-Zamora M, Cano-Villagrasa A, Cortés-Ramos A, Porcar-Gozalbo N. The Influence of Sleep Disorders on Neurobiological Structures and Cognitive Processes in Pediatric Population with ASD and Epilepsy: A Systematic Review. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2023; 13:2358-2372. [PMID: 37998056 PMCID: PMC10670909 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe13110166] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and epilepsy are increasingly prevalent comorbidities in our society. These two disorders are often accompanied by other comorbidities, such as sleep disorders, significantly impacting the quality of life of individuals with ASD and epilepsy. To date, clinical approaches have primarily been descriptive in nature. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between ASD, epilepsy, and sleep disorders, exploring neurobiological dysfunctions and cognitive alterations. A total of 22 scientific articles were selected using a systematic literature review following the criteria established using the PRISMA model. The selected articles were gathered from major databases: Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria specified that study participants had an official diagnosis of ASD, the article precisely described the evaluation parameters used in the study participants, and individual characteristics of the sleep disorders of the study participants were specified. The results indicate, firstly, that the primary cause of sleep disorders in this population is directly linked to abnormal serotonin behaviors. Secondly, significant alterations in memory, attention, and hyperactivity were observed. In conclusion, sleep disorders negatively impact the quality of life and neurocognitive development of the pediatric population with ASD and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel López-Zamora
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Malaga, 29010 Malaga, Spain;
| | - Alejandro Cano-Villagrasa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Internacional de Valencia, 46002 Valencia, Spain;
- Health Sciences PhD Program, Universidad Católica de Murcia UCAM, Campus de los Jerónimos n°135, Guadalupe, 30107 Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio Cortés-Ramos
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Educational and Sports Sciences of Melilla, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
| | - Nadia Porcar-Gozalbo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Internacional de Valencia, 46002 Valencia, Spain;
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5
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Patil O, Kaple M. Sensory Processing Differences in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Narrative Review of Underlying Mechanisms and Sensory-Based Interventions. Cureus 2023; 15:e48020. [PMID: 38034138 PMCID: PMC10687592 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48020] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties with social interaction and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior. Altered sensory processing and perception are considered characteristics of ASD. Sensory processing differences (SPDs) are commonly observed in individuals with ASD, leading to atypical responses to sensory stimuli. SPDs refer to the way in which individuals receive, process, and respond to sensory information from the environment. People with SPDs may be hypersensitive (over-reactive) or hyposensitive (under-reactive) to sensory input, or they may experience fragmented or distorted perceptions. These differences can make it difficult for individuals with SPDs to filter out irrelevant sensory information, and to integrate sensory information from different sources. This study intends to investigate the underlying mechanisms contributing to SPDs in individuals with autism and determine the effectiveness of sensory-based therapies in addressing these challenges. The literature suggests that altered neural pathways, sensory gating dysfunction, and atypical sensory modulation contribute to SPDs in individuals with ASD. Assistive technology, environmental changes, and sensory-based interventions like sensory integration therapy (SIT) have all shown promise in improving sensory functioning and reducing associated behavioral issues. However, further research is needed to improve our understanding of sensory processing in autism and to optimize interventions for individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Om Patil
- Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Meghali Kaple
- Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
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6
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Gonçalves AM, Sousa N, Jacinto L, Monteiro P. The Shank3-InsG3680(+/+) mouse model of autism spectrum disorder displays auditory avoidance in a novel behavioral test. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1205507. [PMID: 37693284 PMCID: PMC10483143 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1205507] [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: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in communication and social interaction, restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and sensory alterations, with auditory hypersensitivity being one of the most commonly reported sensory-perceptual abnormalities. Several candidate genes for involvement in this disorder have emerged from patient studies, including SHANK3, a gene that encodes a protein (SHANK3) in the postsynaptic density of excitatory synapses. Previous work has shown that mutant mice carrying a human ASD mutation in the Shank3 gene (InsG3680) exhibit repetitive behaviors and social interaction deficits, indicating important construct and face validity for this genotype as an animal model of ASD. Methods To further address whether these mice also present auditory sensory-perceptual alterations, we developed a novel behavioral test in which mice can choose between different soundscapes. Results Our results reveal that, in comparison to wild-type mice, Shank3 mutants display a strong behavioral preference toward silent regions of the arena. Discussion These data suggest that Shank3- mutant mice might express an auditory hypersensitivity phenotype, further adding to the face validity of this genotype as an animal model of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Margarida Gonçalves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Luis Jacinto
- Experimental Biology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto (FMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Patricia Monteiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Experimental Biology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto (FMUP), Porto, Portugal
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7
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Sapey-Triomphe LA, Dierckx J, Vettori S, van Overwalle J, Wagemans J. A multilevel investigation of sensory sensitivity and responsivity in autistic adults. Autism Res 2023; 16:1299-1320. [PMID: 37272695 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Atypical sensory processing is a core symptom of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We aimed at better characterizing visual sensitivity and responsivity in ASD at the self-reported, behavioral and neural levels, and at describing the relationships between these levels. We refer to sensory sensitivity as the ability to detect sensory stimuli and to sensory responsivity as an affective response to sensory stimuli. Participants were 25 neurotypical and 24 autistic adults. At the self-reported level, autistic participants had higher scores of sensory sensitivity and responsivity than neurotypicals. The behavioral and neural tasks involved contrast-reversing gratings which became progressively (in)visible as their contrast or spatial frequency evolved. At the behavioral level, autistic participants had higher detection and responsivity thresholds when gratings varied in spatial frequency, but their thresholds did not differ from neurotypicals when gratings varied in contrast. At the neural level, we used fast periodic visual stimulations and electroencephalography to implicitly assess detection thresholds for contrast and spatial frequency, and did not reveal any group difference. Higher self-reported responsivity was associated with higher behavioral responsivity, more intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety, in particular in ASD. At the self-reported level, higher sensitivity was associated with more responsivity in both groups, contrary to the behavioral level where these relationships were not found. These heterogeneous results suggest that sensitivity and responsivity per se are not simply increased in ASD, but may be modulated by other factors such as environmental predictability. Multi-level approaches can shed light on the mechanisms underlying sensory issues in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie-Anne Sapey-Triomphe
- Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joke Dierckx
- Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sofie Vettori
- Institut des Sciences Cognitives - Marc Jeannerod UMR5229, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique & Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Bron, France
| | - Jaana van Overwalle
- Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Wagemans
- Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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8
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Zeisel A, Thiel T, Gaigg SB, Roessner V, Ring M. Validation of the German Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire and replication of sensory processing differences in students with higher and lower Autism-Spectrum Quotient. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:426. [PMID: 37316778 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04903-9] [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: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire (GSQ) gives insight into sensory processing differences (hypo- and hyper-sensitivity across modalities), which is a clinically defining characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Because there is no validated German version of this instrument, this study aimed at validating the German GSQ. Further, a replication of the GSQ's sensory processing differences was intended. METHODS University students of Technische Universität or Universitätsklinikum in Dresden, Germany, were recruited via email distribution or the university homepage and 297 German-speaking students completed the online survey, comprising the German GSQ, Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and Symptom-Checklist (SCL-90). For validation of the German GSQ, confirmatory factor analyses followed by exploratory factor analyses were applied. RESULTS The German GSQ has moderate to low validity, good to acceptable reliability, and a different internal structure from the original GSQ. Replicating the sensory processing differences in students with higher and lower AQ was not successful. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that the GSQ, developed especially for individuals with ASD, is less informative for the general population if there are not enough individuals with higher AQ scores in the sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalena Zeisel
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und -psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tobias Thiel
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und -psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sebastian B Gaigg
- Autism Research Group, Department of Psychology, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Veit Roessner
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und -psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Melanie Ring
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und -psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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9
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Hashimoto A, Kawamura N, Tarusawa E, Takeda I, Aoyama Y, Ohno N, Inoue M, Kagamiuchi M, Kato D, Matsumoto M, Hasegawa Y, Nabekura J, Schaefer A, Moorhouse AJ, Yagi T, Wake H. Microglia enable cross-modal plasticity by removing inhibitory synapses. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112383. [PMID: 37086724 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112383] [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] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cross-modal plasticity is the repurposing of brain regions associated with deprived sensory inputs to improve the capacity of other sensory modalities. The functional mechanisms of cross-modal plasticity can indicate how the brain recovers from various forms of injury and how different sensory modalities are integrated. Here, we demonstrate that rewiring of the microglia-mediated local circuit synapse is crucial for cross-modal plasticity induced by visual deprivation (monocular deprivation [MD]). MD relieves the usual inhibition of functional connectivity between the somatosensory cortex and secondary lateral visual cortex (V2L). This results in enhanced excitatory responses in V2L neurons during whisker stimulation and a greater capacity for vibrissae sensory discrimination. The enhanced cross-modal response is mediated by selective removal of inhibitory synapse terminals on pyramidal neurons by the microglia in the V2L via matrix metalloproteinase 9 signaling. Our results provide insights into how cortical circuits integrate different inputs to functionally compensate for neuronal damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akari Hashimoto
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Nanami Kawamura
- KOKORO-Biology Group, Laboratories for Integrated Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Etsuko Tarusawa
- KOKORO-Biology Group, Laboratories for Integrated Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Ikuko Takeda
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yuki Aoyama
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Ohno
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Histology and Cell Biology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan; Division of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
| | - Mio Inoue
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Mai Kagamiuchi
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kato
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Mami Matsumoto
- Section of Electron Microscopy, Supportive Center for Brain Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan; Department of Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Hasegawa
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Junichi Nabekura
- Division of Homeostatic Development, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan; Department of Physiological Sciences, Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Hayama 240-0193, Japan
| | - Anne Schaefer
- Center for Glial Biology, Department of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA; Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Andrew J Moorhouse
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Takeshi Yagi
- KOKORO-Biology Group, Laboratories for Integrated Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Wake
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; Division of Multicellular Circuit Dynamics, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan; Center for Optical Scattering Image Science, Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan; Department of Physiological Sciences, Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Hayama 240-0193, Japan; Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.
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10
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Gonçalves AM, Monteiro P. Autism Spectrum Disorder and auditory sensory alterations: a systematic review on the integrity of cognitive and neuronal functions related to auditory processing. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2023; 130:325-408. [PMID: 36914900 PMCID: PMC10033482 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02595-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with a wide spectrum of symptoms, mainly characterized by social, communication, and cognitive impairments. Latest diagnostic criteria according to DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, 2013) now include sensory issues among the four restricted/repetitive behavior features defined as "hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment". Here, we review auditory sensory alterations in patients with ASD. Considering the updated diagnostic criteria for ASD, we examined research evidence (2015-2022) of the integrity of the cognitive function in auditory-related tasks, the integrity of the peripheral auditory system, and the integrity of the central nervous system in patients diagnosed with ASD. Taking into account the different approaches and experimental study designs, we reappraise the knowledge on auditory sensory alterations and reflect on how these might be linked with behavior symptomatology in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Margarida Gonçalves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patricia Monteiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
- Experimental Biology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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11
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Lefebvre A, Tillmann J, Cliquet F, Amsellem F, Maruani A, Leblond C, Beggiato A, Germanaud D, Amestoy A, Ly-Le Moal M, Umbricht D, Chatham C, Murtagh L, Bouvard M, Leboyer M, Charman T, Bourgeron T, Delorme R, Dumas G. Tackling hypo and hyper sensory processing heterogeneity in autism: From clinical stratification to genetic pathways. Autism Res 2023; 16:364-378. [PMID: 36464763 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As an integral part of autism spectrum symptoms, sensory processing issues including both hypo and hyper sensory sensitivities. These sensory specificities may result from an excitation/inhibition imbalance with a poorly understood of their level of convergence with genetic alterations in GABA-ergic and glutamatergic pathways. In our study, we aimed to characterize the hypo/hyper-sensory profile among autistic individuals. We then explored its link with the burden of deleterious mutations in a subset of individuals with available whole-genome sequencing data. To characterize the hypo/hyper-sensory profile, the differential Short Sensory Profile (dSSP) was defined as a normalized and centralized hypo/hypersensitivity ratio from the Short Sensory Profile (SSP). Including 1136 participants (533 autistic individuals, 210 first-degree relatives, and 267 controls) from two independent study samples (PARIS and LEAP), we observed a statistically significant dSSP mean difference between autistic individuals and controls, driven mostly by a high dSSP variability, with an intermediated profile represented by relatives. Our genetic analysis tended to associate the dSSP and the hyposensitivity with mutations of the GABAergic pathway. The major limitation was the dSSP difficulty to discriminate subjects with a similar quantum of hypo- and hyper-sensory symptoms to those with no such symptoms, resulting both in a similar ratio score of 0. However, the dSSP could be a relevant clinical score, and combined with additional sensory descriptions, genetics and endophenotypic substrates, will improve the exploration of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of sensory processing differences in autism spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Lefebvre
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, Paris, France.,Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR 3571 CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Paris, France.,CHS Fondation Vallée, Gentilly, France
| | - Julian Tillmann
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Freddy Cliquet
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR 3571 CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Frederique Amsellem
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, Paris, France.,Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR 3571 CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Anna Maruani
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, Paris, France.,Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR 3571 CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Claire Leblond
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR 3571 CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Anita Beggiato
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, Paris, France.,Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR 3571 CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - David Germanaud
- Rare Disease Reference Center for Intellectual Disability, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Robert-Debré Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Anouck Amestoy
- Autism Expert Centre, Charles Perrens Hospital, Bordeaux, France.,Fondation FondaMental, French National Science Foundation, Créteil, France
| | | | - Daniel Umbricht
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christopher Chatham
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lorraine Murtagh
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Bouvard
- Autism Expert Centre, Charles Perrens Hospital, Bordeaux, France.,Fondation FondaMental, French National Science Foundation, Créteil, France
| | - Marion Leboyer
- Fondation FondaMental, French National Science Foundation, Créteil, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U955, Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, Psychiatrie Translationnelle, Créteil, France.,Department of Adult Psychiatry, Henri Mondor and Albert Chenevier Hospital, Créteil, France
| | - Tony Charman
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas Bourgeron
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR 3571 CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Paris, France.,Fondation FondaMental, French National Science Foundation, Créteil, France
| | - Richard Delorme
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, Paris, France.,Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR 3571 CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Paris, France.,Fondation FondaMental, French National Science Foundation, Créteil, France
| | - Guillaume Dumas
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR 3571 CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Paris, France.,Department of Psychiatry, Université de Montreal, CHU Ste Justine Hospital, Montreal, Canada
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12
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Zhai J, Li X, Zhou Y, Fan L, Xia W, Wang X, Li Y, Hou M, Wang J, Wu L. Correlation and predictive ability of sensory characteristics and social interaction in children with autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1056051. [PMID: 37091701 PMCID: PMC10117963 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1056051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have different social characteristics and particular sensory processing patterns, and these sensory behaviors may affect their social functioning. The objective of our study is to investigate the sensory profiles of children with ASD and their association with social behavior. Specifically, we aim to identify the predictive role of sensory processing in social functioning. Methods The Short Sensory Profile (SSP) was utilized to analyze sensory differences between ASD children and their peers. The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and other clinical scales were employed to assess the social functioning of children with ASD. Additionally, the predictive ability of sensory perception on social performance was discussed using random forest and support vector machine (SVM) models. Results The SSP scores of ASD children were lower than those of the control group, and there was a significant negative correlation between SSP scores and clinical scale scores (P < 0.05). The random forest and SVM models, using all the features, showed higher sensitivity, while the random forest model with 7-feature factors had the highest specificity. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for all the models was higher than 0.8. Conclusion Autistic children in our study have different patterns of sensory processing than their peers, which are significantly related to their patterns of social functioning. Sensory features can serve as a good predictor of social functioning in individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhe Zhai
- School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaoxue Li
- School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Heilongjiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin, China
| | - Lili Fan
- School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Wei Xia
- School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaomin Wang
- School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yutong Li
- School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Meiru Hou
- School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jia Wang
- School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- *Correspondence: Jia Wang,
| | - Lijie Wu
- School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Lijie Wu,
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13
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Moraes ÍAP, Lima JA, Silva NM, Simcsik AO, Silveira AC, Menezes LDC, Araújo LV, Crocetta TB, Voos MC, Tonks J, Silva TD, Dawes H, Monteiro CBM. Effect of Longitudinal Practice in Real and Virtual Environments on Motor Performance, Physical Activity and Enjoyment in People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Prospective Randomized Crossover Controlled Trial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14668. [PMID: 36429386 PMCID: PMC9690405 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: People with ASD commonly present difficulty performing motor skills and a decline in physical activity (PA) level and low enjoyment of PA. We aimed to evaluate whether longitudinal practice of an activity in virtual and real environments improves motor performance and whether this improvement is transferred to a subsequent practice when changing the environment, promoting PA and providing enjoyment; (2) Methods: People with ASD, aged between 10 and 16 years, were included and distributed randomly into two opposite sequences. The participants performed a 10 session protocol, with five sessions practicing in each environment (virtual or real). Heart rate measurement was carried out and an enjoyment scale was applied; (3) Results: 22 participants concluded the protocol. Sequence A (virtual first) presented an improvement in accuracy and precision and transferred this when changing environment; they also had a greater change in heart rate reserve. The majority of participants reported "fun" and "great fun" levels for enjoyment; (4) Conclusions: The virtual reality activity presented a higher level of difficulty, with greater gains in terms of transference to the real environment. Considering PA, our task provided very light to light activity and the majority of participants enjoyed the task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Íbis A. P. Moraes
- Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
- College of Medicine and Health, St Lukes Campus, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Joyce A. Lima
- Physical Activity Sciences, School of Arts, Science and Humanities, University of São Paulo (EACH-USP), São Paulo 03828-000, Brazil
| | - Nadja M. Silva
- Medicine (Cardiology), Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo (EPM/UNIFESP), São Paulo 04021-001, Brazil
| | - Amanda O. Simcsik
- Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Ana C. Silveira
- Physical Activity Sciences, School of Arts, Science and Humanities, University of São Paulo (EACH-USP), São Paulo 03828-000, Brazil
| | - Lilian D. C. Menezes
- Medicine (Cardiology), Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo (EPM/UNIFESP), São Paulo 04021-001, Brazil
| | - Luciano V. Araújo
- Physical Activity Sciences, School of Arts, Science and Humanities, University of São Paulo (EACH-USP), São Paulo 03828-000, Brazil
| | - Tânia B. Crocetta
- Physical Activity Sciences, School of Arts, Science and Humanities, University of São Paulo (EACH-USP), São Paulo 03828-000, Brazil
| | - Mariana C. Voos
- Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP), São Paulo 05014-901, Brazil
| | - James Tonks
- College of Medicine and Health, St Lukes Campus, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Talita D. Silva
- Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
- Medicine (Cardiology), Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo (EPM/UNIFESP), São Paulo 04021-001, Brazil
- Faculty of Medicine, University City of São Paulo (UNICID), São Paulo 03071-000, Brazil
| | - Helen Dawes
- College of Medicine and Health, St Lukes Campus, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Carlos B. M. Monteiro
- Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
- Physical Activity Sciences, School of Arts, Science and Humanities, University of São Paulo (EACH-USP), São Paulo 03828-000, Brazil
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14
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Hoglen NEG, Manoli DS. Cupid's quiver: Integrating sensory cues in rodent mating systems. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:944895. [PMID: 35958042 PMCID: PMC9358210 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.944895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In many animal species, males and females exploit different mating strategies, display sex-typical behaviors, and use distinct systems to recognize ethologically relevant cues. Mate selection thus requires mutual recognition across diverse social interactions based on distinct sensory signals. These sex differences in courtship and mating behaviors correspond to differences in sensory systems and downstream neural substrates engaged to recognize and respond to courtship signals. In many rodents, males tend to rely heavily on volatile olfactory and pheromone cues, while females appear to be guided more by a combination of these chemosensory signals with acoustic cues in the form of ultrasonic vocalizations. The mechanisms by which chemical and acoustic cues are integrated to control behavior are understudied in mating but are known to be important in the control of maternal behaviors. Socially monogamous species constitute a behaviorally distinct group of rodents. In these species, anatomic differences between males and females outside the nervous system are less prominent than in species with non-monogamous mating systems, and both sexes engage in more symmetric social behaviors and form attachments. Nevertheless, despite the apparent similarities in behaviors displayed by monogamous males and females, the circuitry supporting social, mating, and attachment behaviors in these species is increasingly thought to differ between the sexes. Sex differences in sensory modalities most important for mate recognition in across species are of particular interest and present a wealth of questions yet to be answered. Here, we discuss how distinct sensory cues may be integrated to drive social and attachment behaviors in rodents, and the differing roles of specific sensory systems in eliciting displays of behavior by females or males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerissa E G Hoglen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Devanand S Manoli
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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15
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Jure R. The “Primitive Brain Dysfunction” Theory of Autism: The Superior Colliculus Role. Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 16:797391. [PMID: 35712344 PMCID: PMC9194533 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2022.797391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A better understanding of the pathogenesis of autism will help clarify our conception of the complexity of normal brain development. The crucial deficit may lie in the postnatal changes that vision produces in the brainstem nuclei during early life. The superior colliculus is the primary brainstem visual center. Although difficult to examine in humans with present techniques, it is known to support behaviors essential for every vertebrate to survive, such as the ability to pay attention to relevant stimuli and to produce automatic motor responses based on sensory input. From birth to death, it acts as a brain sentinel that influences basic aspects of our behavior. It is the main brainstem hub that lies between the environment and the rest of the higher neural system, making continuous, implicit decisions about where to direct our attention. The conserved cortex-like organization of the superior colliculus in all vertebrates allows the early appearance of primitive emotionally-related behaviors essential for survival. It contains first-line specialized neurons enabling the detection and tracking of faces and movements from birth. During development, it also sends the appropriate impulses to help shape brain areas necessary for social-communicative abilities. These abilities require the analysis of numerous variables, such as the simultaneous evaluation of incoming information sustained by separate brain networks (visual, auditory and sensory-motor, social, emotional, etc.), and predictive capabilities which compare present events to previous experiences and possible responses. These critical aspects of decision-making allow us to evaluate the impact that our response or behavior may provoke in others. The purpose of this review is to show that several enigmas about the complexity of autism might be explained by disruptions of collicular and brainstem functions. The results of two separate lines of investigation: 1. the cognitive, etiologic, and pathogenic aspects of autism on one hand, and two. the functional anatomy of the colliculus on the other, are considered in order to bridge the gap between basic brain science and clinical studies and to promote future research in this unexplored area.
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16
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Stogiannos N, Carlier S, Harvey-Lloyd JM, Brammer A, Nugent B, Cleaver K, McNulty JP, dos Reis CS, Malamateniou C. A systematic review of person-centred adjustments to facilitate magnetic resonance imaging for autistic patients without the use of sedation or anaesthesia. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022; 26:782-797. [PMID: 34961364 PMCID: PMC9008560 DOI: 10.1177/13623613211065542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Autistic patients often undergo magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Within this environment, it is usual to feel anxious and overwhelmed by noises, lights or other people. The narrow scanners, the loud noises and the long examination time can easily cause panic attacks. This review aims to identify any adaptations for autistic individuals to have a magnetic resonance imaging scan without sedation or anaesthesia. Out of 4442 articles screened, 53 more relevant were evaluated and 21 were finally included in this study. Customising communication, different techniques to improve the environment, using technology for familiarisation and distraction have been used in previous studies. The results of this study can be used to make suggestions on how to improve magnetic resonance imaging practice and the autistic patient experience. They can also be used to create training for the healthcare professionals using the magnetic resonance imaging scanners.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Carlier
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO), Switzerland
- University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Barbara Nugent
- City, University of London, UK
- MRI Safety Matters® Organisation, UK
- NHS National Education for Scotland, UK
| | | | | | - Cláudia Sá dos Reis
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO), Switzerland
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17
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Bharadwaj H, Mamashli F, Khan S, Singh R, Joseph RM, Losh A, Pawlyszyn S, McGuiggan NM, Graham S, Hämäläinen MS, Kenet T. Cortical signatures of auditory object binding in children with autism spectrum disorder are anomalous in concordance with behavior and diagnosis. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001541. [PMID: 35167585 PMCID: PMC8884487 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Organizing sensory information into coherent perceptual objects is fundamental to everyday perception and communication. In the visual domain, indirect evidence from cortical responses suggests that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have anomalous figure-ground segregation. While auditory processing abnormalities are common in ASD, especially in environments with multiple sound sources, to date, the question of scene segregation in ASD has not been directly investigated in audition. Using magnetoencephalography, we measured cortical responses to unattended (passively experienced) auditory stimuli while parametrically manipulating the degree of temporal coherence that facilitates auditory figure-ground segregation. Results from 21 children with ASD (aged 7-17 years) and 26 age- and IQ-matched typically developing children provide evidence that children with ASD show anomalous growth of cortical neural responses with increasing temporal coherence of the auditory figure. The documented neurophysiological abnormalities did not depend on age, and were reflected both in the response evoked by changes in temporal coherence of the auditory scene and in the associated induced gamma rhythms. Furthermore, the individual neural measures were predictive of diagnosis (83% accuracy) and also correlated with behavioral measures of ASD severity and auditory processing abnormalities. These findings offer new insight into the neural mechanisms underlying auditory perceptual deficits and sensory overload in ASD, and suggest that temporal-coherence-based auditory scene analysis and suprathreshold processing of coherent auditory objects may be atypical in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Bharadwaj
- Department of Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Fahimeh Mamashli
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sheraz Khan
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ravinderjit Singh
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Robert M. Joseph
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ainsley Losh
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Stephanie Pawlyszyn
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Nicole M. McGuiggan
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Steven Graham
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Matti S. Hämäläinen
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tal Kenet
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
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18
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Matsuzaki J, Kagitani-Shimono K, Aoki S, Hanaie R, Kato Y, Nakanishi M, Tatsumi A, Tominaga K, Yamamoto T, Nagai Y, Mohri I, Taniike M. Abnormal cortical responses elicited by audiovisual movies in patients with autism spectrum disorder with atypical sensory behavior: A magnetoencephalographic study. Brain Dev 2022; 44:81-94. [PMID: 34563417 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atypical sensory behavior disrupts behavioral adaptation in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, neural correlates of sensory dysfunction using magnetoencephalography (MEG) remain unclear. METHOD We used MEG to measure the cortical activation elicited by visual (uni)/audiovisual (multisensory) movies in 46 children (7-14 years) were included in final analysis: 13 boys with atypical audiovisual behavior in ASD (AAV+), 10 without this condition, and 23 age-matched typically developing boys. RESULTS The AAV+ group demonstrated an increase in the cortical activation in the bilateral insula in response to unisensory movies and in the left occipital, right superior temporal sulcus (rSTS), and temporal regions to multisensory movies. These increased responses were correlated with severity of the sensory impairment. Increased theta-low gamma oscillations were observed in the rSTS in AAV+. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that AAV is attributed to atypical neural networks centered on the rSTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junko Matsuzaki
- Division of Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kuriko Kagitani-Shimono
- Division of Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Sho Aoki
- Division of Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryuzo Hanaie
- Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoko Kato
- Division of Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mariko Nakanishi
- Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Aika Tatsumi
- Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koji Tominaga
- Division of Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomoka Yamamoto
- Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yukie Nagai
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ikuko Mohri
- Division of Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masako Taniike
- Division of Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
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19
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Surgical treatment of symptomatic pineal cysts without hydrocephalus-meta-analysis of the published literature. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2022; 164:61-77. [PMID: 34854993 PMCID: PMC8761144 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-021-05054-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background To examine published data and assess evidence relating to safety and efficacy of surgical management of symptomatic pineal cysts without hydrocephalus (nhSPC), we performed a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. Methods Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched Pubmed and SCOPUS for all reports with the query ‘Pineal Cyst’ AND ‘Surgery’ as of March 2021, without constraints on study design, publication year or status (PROSPERO_CRD:42,021,242,517). Assessment of 1537 hits identified 26 reports that met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results All 26 input studies were either case reports or single-centre retrospective cohorts. The majority of outcome data were derived from routine physician-recorded notes. A total of 294 patients with surgically managed nhSPC were identified. Demographics: Mean age was 29 (range: 4–63) with 77% females. Mean cyst size was 15 mm (5–35). Supracerebellar-infratentorial approach was adopted in 90% of cases, occipital-transtentorial in 9%, and was not reported in 1%. Most patients were managed by cyst resection (96%), and the remainder by fenestration. Mean post-operative follow-up was 35 months (0–228). Presentation: Headache was the commonest symptom (87%), followed by visual (54%), nausea/vomit (34%) and vertigo/dizziness (31%). Other symptoms included focal neurology (25%), sleep disturbance (17%), cognitive impairment (16%), loss of consciousness (11%), gait disturbance (11%), fatigue (10%), ‘psychiatric’ (2%) and seizures (1%). Mean number of symptoms reported at presentation was 3 (0–9). Outcomes: Improvement rate was 93% (to minimise reporting bias only consecutive cases from cohort studies were considered, N = 280) and was independent of presentation. Predictors of better outcomes were large cyst size (OR = 5.76; 95% CI: 1.74–19.02) and resection over fenestration (OR = 12.64; 3.07–52.01). Age predicted worse outcomes (OR = 0.95; 0.91–0.99). Overall complication rate was 17% and this was independent of any patient characteristics. Complications with long-term consequences occurred in 10 cases (3.6%): visual disturbance (3), chronic incisional pain (2), sensory disturbance (1), fatigue (1), cervicalgia (1), cerebellar stroke (1) and mortality due to myocardial infarction (1). Conclusions Although the results support the role of surgery in the management of nhSPCs, they have to be interpreted with a great deal of caution as the current evidence is limited, consisting only of case reports and retrospective surgical series. Inherent to such studies are inhomogeneity and incompleteness of data, selection bias and bias related to assessment of outcome carried out by the treating surgeon in the majority of cases. Prospective studies with patient-reported and objective outcome assessment are needed to provide higher level of evidence. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00701-021-05054-0.
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Lipina T, Blundell M. From atypical senses to autism: towards new therapeutic targets and improved diagnostics. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 212:173312. [PMID: 34883136 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Lipina
- University of Toronto, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada.
| | - Matisse Blundell
- University of Toronto, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
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21
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Stilley SE, Blakely RD. Rare Opportunities for Insights Into Serotonergic Contributions to Brain and Bowel Disorders: Studies of the SERT Ala56 Mouse. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:677563. [PMID: 34149362 PMCID: PMC8210832 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.677563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered structure, expression, and regulation of the presynaptic serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT) have been associated with multiple neurobehavioral disorders, including mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Opportunities to investigate mechanistic links supporting these associations were spurred with the identification of multiple, rare human SERT coding variants in a study that established a male-specific linkage of ASD to a linkage marker on chromosome 17 which encompassed the location of the SERT gene (SLC6A4). We have explored the most common of these variants, SERT Ala56, in vitro and in vivo. Results support a tonic elevation of 5-HT transport activity in transfected cells and human lymphoblasts by the variant in vitro that leads to an increased 5-HT clearance rate in vivo when studied in the SERT Ala56 mouse model, along with altered sensitivity to SERT regulatory signaling pathways. Importantly, hyperserotonemia, or an elevated whole blood 5-HT, level, was found in SERT Ala56 mice, reproducing a well-replicated trait observed in a significant fraction of ASD subjects. Additionally, we found multiple biochemical, physiological, and behavioral alterations in the SERT Ala56 mice that can be analogized to those observed in ASD and its medical comorbidities. The similarity of the functional impact of the SERT Ala56 variant to the consequences of p38α MAPK activation, ascribed to the induction of a biased conformation of the transporter toward an outward-facing conformation, has resulted in successful efforts to restore normal behavioral and bowel function via pharmacological and genetic p38α MAPK targeting. Moreover, the ability of the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β to enhance SERT activity via a p38α MAPK-dependent pathway suggests that the SERT Ala56 conformation mimics that of a chronic inflammatory state, supporting findings in ASD of elevated inflammatory cytokine levels. In this report, we review studies of the SERT Ala56 variant, discussing opportunities for continued insight into how chronically altered synaptic 5-HT homeostasis can drive reversible, functional perturbations in 5-HT sensitive pathways in the brain and periphery, and how targeting the SERT regulome, particularly through activating pathways such as those involving IL-1β/p38α MAPK, may be of benefit for neurobehavioral disorders, including ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E. Stilley
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
| | - Randy D. Blakely
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
- Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, United States
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22
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Scott KE, Schulz SE, Moehrle D, Allman BL, Oram Cardy JE, Stevenson RA, Schmid S. Closing the species gap: Translational approaches to studying sensory processing differences relevant for autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2021; 14:1322-1331. [PMID: 34003584 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2533] [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: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The study of sensory phenotypes has great potential for increasing research translation between species, a necessity to decipher the neural mechanisms that contribute to higher-order differences in neurological conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Over the past decade, despite separate advances in our understanding of the structural and functional differences within the brain of autistic and non-autistic individuals and in rodent models for ASD, researchers have had difficulty translating the findings in murine species to humans, mostly due to incompatibility in experimental methodologies used to screen for ASD phenotypes. Focusing on sensory phenotypes offers an avenue to close the species gap because sensory pathways are highly conserved across species and are affected by the same risk-factors as the higher-order brain areas mostly responsible for the diagnostic criteria for ASD. By first reviewing how sensory processing has been studied to date, we direct our focus to electrophysiological and behavioral techniques that can be used to study sensory phenotypes consistently across species. Using auditory sensory phenotypes as a template, we seek to improve the accessibility of translational methods by providing a framework for collecting cohesive data in both rodents and humans. Specifically, evoked-potentials, acoustic startle paradigms, and psychophysical detection/discrimination paradigms can be created and implemented in a coordinated and systematic fashion across species. Through careful protocol design and collaboration, sensory processing phenotypes can be harnessed to bridge the gap that exists between preclinical animal studies and human testing, so that mutually held questions in autism research can be answered. LAY SUMMARY: It has always been difficult to relate results from animal research to humans. We try to close this gap by studying changes in sensory processing using careful protocol design and collaboration between clinicians and researchers. Sensory pathways are comparable between animals and humans, and are affected in the same way as the rest of the brain in ASD. Using changes in hearing as a template, we point the field in an innovative direction by providing a framework for collecting cohesive data in rodents and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaela E Scott
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samantha E Schulz
- The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dorit Moehrle
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brian L Allman
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Janis E Oram Cardy
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ryan A Stevenson
- The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susanne Schmid
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Lian F, Northoff G. The Lost Neural Hierarchy of the Autistic Self-Locked-Out of the Mental Self and Its Default-Mode Network. Brain Sci 2021; 11:574. [PMID: 33946964 PMCID: PMC8145974 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11050574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by a fundamental change in self-awareness including seemingly paradoxical features like increased ego-centeredness and weakened self-referentiality. What is the neural basis of this so-called "self-paradox"? Conducting a meta-analytic review of fMRI rest and task studies, we show that ASD exhibits consistent hypofunction in anterior and posterior midline regions of the default-mode network (DMN) in both rest and task with decreased self-non-self differentiation. Relying on a multilayered nested hierarchical model of self, as recently established (Qin et al. 2020), we propose that ASD subjects cannot access the most upper layer of their self, the DMN-based mental self-they are locked-out of their own DMN and its mental self. This, in turn, results in strong weakening of their self-referentiality with decreases in both self-awareness and self-other distinction. Moreover, this blocks the extension of non-DMN cortical and subcortical regions at the lower layers of the physical self to the DMN-based upper layer of the mental self, including self-other distinction. The ASD subjects remain stuck and restricted to their intero- and exteroceptive selves as manifested in a relative increase in ego-centeredness (as compared to self-referentiality). This amounts to what we describe as "Hierarchical Model of Autistic Self" (HAS), which, characterizing the autistic self in hierarchical and spatiotemporal terms, aligns well with and extends current theories of ASD including predictive coding and weak central coherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuxin Lian
- Institute of Psychological Sciences, School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China;
- Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Georg Northoff
- Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
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