1
|
Tan DW, Gilani SZ, Boutrus M, Alvares GA, Whitehouse AJO, Mian A, Suter D, Maybery MT. Facial asymmetry in parents of children on the autism spectrum. Autism Res 2021; 14:2260-2269. [PMID: 34529361 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Greater facial asymmetry has been consistently found in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) relative to children without ASD. There is substantial evidence that both facial structure and the recurrence of ASD diagnosis are highly heritable within a nuclear family. Furthermore, sub-clinical levels of autistic-like behavioural characteristics have also been reported in first-degree relatives of individuals with ASD, commonly known as the 'broad autism phenotype'. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to examine whether a broad autism phenotype expresses as facial asymmetry among 192 biological parents of autistic individuals (134 mothers) compared to those of 163 age-matched adults without a family history of ASD (113 females). Using dense surface-modelling techniques on three dimensional facial images, we found evidence for greater facial asymmetry in parents of autistic individuals compared to age-matched adults in the comparison group (p = 0.046, d = 0.21 [0.002, 0.42]). Considering previous findings and the current results, we conclude that facial asymmetry expressed in the facial morphology of autistic children may be related to heritability factors. LAY ABSTRACT: In a previous study, we showed that autistic children presented with greater facial asymmetry than non-autistic children. In the current study, we examined the amount of facial asymmetry shown on three-dimensional facial images of 192 parents of autistic children compared to a control group consisting of 163 similarly aged adults with no known history of autism. Although parents did show greater levels of facial asymmetry than those in the control group, this effect is statistically small. We concluded that the facial asymmetry previously found in autistic children may be related to genetic factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Weiting Tan
- School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Syed Zulqarnain Gilani
- School of Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Maryam Boutrus
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gail A Alvares
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew J O Whitehouse
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ajmal Mian
- School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David Suter
- School of Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Murray T Maybery
- School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
The broad autism phenotype in real-life: clinical and functional correlates of autism spectrum symptoms and rumination among parents of patients with autism spectrum disorder. CNS Spectr 2020; 25:765-773. [PMID: 31747980 DOI: 10.1017/s1092852919001615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Increasing literature reported higher rates of psychiatric disorders in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as of autistic-like features in social and cognitive functioning. However, little attention has been paid to the association between autistic traits (AT) and global functioning in this population. The aim of the present work was to investigate clinical and functional correlates of AT among parents of ASD children, with a specific focus on ruminative thinking. METHODS One hundred and twenty parents of ASD children were assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum), the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS), the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS). RESULTS Subjects with at least 1 psychiatric disorder (39.2%) showed significantly higher AdAS Spectrum and RRS scores. Subjects with a history of school difficulties and with language development alterations scored significantly higher on specific AdAS Spectrum domains. A significant negative correlation was found between SOFAS and AdAS Spectrum scores, as well as between SOFAS and RRS scores. AdAS Spectrum nonverbal communication domain score was identified has a statistically predictive variable for the presence of psychiatric disorders and lower SOFAS scores. Finally, we found a significant indirect effect of AdAS total score on SOFAS score, which was fully mediated by RRS total score. CONCLUSIONS AT in parents of ASD children seem to be associated with a higher vulnerability toward psychopathology and with a lower global functioning. Ruminative thinking may play a role in the relationship between AT and functional outcome.
Collapse
|
3
|
Camodeca A, Todd KQ, Hosack A. Intact verbal fluency abilities in the Broad Autism Phenotype. Psychiatry Res 2018; 270:443-452. [PMID: 30316172 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This study attempted to replicate the findings of Camodeca and Voelker (2016), who demonstrated that controlled processing weaknesses were evident in the Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP), and that these weaknesses were predictive of real-world pragmatic language problems. One hundred eighty-two undergraduates completed the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Verbal Fluency (D-KEFS-VF) test and the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ). Results were partially replicated. Contrary to the previous study, the BAP group (n = 31) did not demonstrate comparative weaknesses in controlled processing, nor were controlled processing abilities predictive of BAPQ Pragmatic Language score. Similar to the previous study, controlled processing did not predict pragmatic language abilities for Non-BAP (n = 151) subjects. For each group, letter fluency score predicted 2nd 15″ interval score (controlled processing abilities); automatic processing (1st 15″ interval) did not. Results suggest that verbal fluency skills in the BAP are similar to controls, and that controlled processing does not account for significant variance in real-world social language in the BAP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Camodeca
- The Pennsylvania State University, 100 University Drive, Monaca, PA 15061, USA.
| | - Kylie Q Todd
- The Pennsylvania State University, 100 University Drive, Monaca, PA 15061, USA
| | - Alexandra Hosack
- The Pennsylvania State University, 100 University Drive, Monaca, PA 15061, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kempenaers C, Braun S, Delvaux N, Linkowski P. The assessment of autistic traits with the Autism Spectrum Quotient: Contribution of the French version to its construct validity. EUROPEAN REVIEW OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.erap.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
5
|
Ruparelia K, Manji K, Abubakar A, Newton CR. Investigating the Evidence of Behavioral, Cognitive, and Psychiatric Endophenotypes in Autism: A Systematic Review. AUTISM RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2017; 2017:6346912. [PMID: 28761767 PMCID: PMC5516739 DOI: 10.1155/2017/6346912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Substantial evidence indicates that parents of autistic individuals often display milder forms of autistic traits referred to as the broader autism phenotype (BAP). To determine if discrete endophenotypes of autism can be identified, we reviewed the literature to assess the evidence of behavioral, cognitive, and psychiatric profiles of the BAP. A systematic review was conducted using EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PsycEXTRA, and Global Health. Sixty papers met our inclusion criteria and results are discussed according to the proportion of studies that yield significant deficits per domain. The behavioral, cognitive, and psychiatric endophenotypes in parents of autistic probands are still not clarified; however, evidence suggests mild social/communication deficits, rigid/aloof personality traits, and pragmatic language difficulties as the most useful sociobehavioral candidate endophenotype traits. The existence of deficits in the cognitive domain does suggest familial vulnerability for autism. Furthermore, increased depressed mood and anxiety can also be useful markers; however, findings should be interpreted with caution because of the small number of studies in such heterogeneously broad domains and several methodological limitations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Ruparelia
- Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Karim Manji
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Amina Abubakar
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Psychometric Properties of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient for Assessing Low and High Levels of Autistic Traits in College Students. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 47:1838-1853. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3109-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
7
|
Shi LJ, Ou JJ, Gong JB, Wang SH, Zhou YY, Zhu FR, Liu XD, Zhao JP, Luo XR. Broad autism phenotype features of Chinese parents with autistic children and their associations with severity of social impairment in probands. BMC Psychiatry 2015; 15:168. [PMID: 26202327 PMCID: PMC4511534 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-015-0568-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parents of children with autism have higher rates of broad autism phenotype (BAP) features than parents of typically developing children (TDC) in Western countries. This study was designed to examine the rate of BAP features in parents of children with autism and the relationship between parental BAP and the social impairment of their children in a Chinese sample. METHODS A total of 299 families with autistic children and 274 families with TDC participated in this study. Parents were assessed using the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ), which includes self-report, informant-report, and best-estimate versions. Children were assessed using the Chinese version of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). RESULTS Parents of children with autism were significantly more likely to have BAP features than were parents of TDC; mothers and fathers in families with autistic children had various BAP features. The total scores of the informant and best-estimate BAPQ versions for fathers were significantly associated with their children's SRS total scores in the autism group, whereas the total scores of the three BAPQ versions for mothers were significantly associated with their children's SRS total scores in the TDC group. In the autism group, the total SRS scores of children with "BAP present" parents (informant and best-estimate) were higher than the total SRS scores of children with"BAP absent" parents. In the TDC group, the total SRS scores of children with "BAP present" parents were higher than the total SRS scores of children with"BAP absent" parents (best-estimate). CONCLUSIONS Parents of autistic children were found to have higher rates of BAP than parents of TDC in a sample of Chinese parents. The BAP features of parents are associated with their children's social functioning in both autism families and TDC families, but the patterns of the associations are different.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Shi
- Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital and Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, The Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, PR China.
| | - Jian-Jun Ou
- Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital and Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, The Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, PR China.
| | - Jing-Bo Gong
- Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital and Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, The Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, PR China. .,Traditional Chinese Medicine University of Hunan, Changsha, Hunan, PR China.
| | - Su-Hong Wang
- Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital and Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, The Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, PR China. .,Department of Neuroscience, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - Yuan-Yue Zhou
- Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital and Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, The Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, PR China. .,Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Hangzhou, PR China.
| | - Fu-Rong Zhu
- Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital and Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, The Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, PR China.
| | - Xu-Dong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, 191 Portsmouth Ave, Kingston, ON, K7M 8A6, Canada.
| | - Jing-Ping Zhao
- Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital and Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, The Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, PR China.
| | - Xue-Rong Luo
- Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital and Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, The Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Pisula E, Ziegart-Sadowska K. Broader Autism Phenotype in Siblings of Children with ASD--A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:13217-58. [PMID: 26068453 PMCID: PMC4490493 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160613217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2015] [Revised: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although less pronounced, social, cognitive, and personality characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may be present in people who do not meet ASD diagnostic criteria, especially in first-degree relatives of individuals with ASD. Research on these characteristics, referred to as broader autism phenotype (BAP), provides valuable data on potential expressions of autism-specific deficits in the context of family relations. This paper offers a review of research on BAP in siblings of individuals with ASD, focusing on reports regarding social, communication, and cognitive deficits, published from 1993 to 2014. The studies are divided into two groups based on participants’ age: papers on preschool and older siblings of individuals with ASD; and publications on infants at risk for ASD. On the basis of this review, suggestions are offered for further research and its significance for our understanding of the genetic determinants of autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Pisula
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Stawki 5/7, 00-183 Warsaw, Poland.
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Polanczyk GV. Dimensionality of childhood psychopathology and the challenge of integration into clinical practice. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2014; 23:183-5. [PMID: 24682570 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-014-0539-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme V Polanczyk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INCT-CNPq), São Paulo, Brazil.
- Research Support Center on Neurodevelopment and Mental Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
- , Rua Dr. Ovídio Pires de Campos 785, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP, 05403-010, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|