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Wang J, Christensen D, Coombes SA, Wang Z. Cognitive and brain morphological deviations in middle-to-old aged autistic adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 163:105782. [PMID: 38944227 PMCID: PMC11283673 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive challenges and brain structure variations are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but are rarely explored in middle-to-old aged autistic adults. Cognitive deficits that overlap between young autistic individuals and elderlies with dementia raise an important question: does compromised cognitive ability and brain structure during early development drive autistic adults to be more vulnerable to pathological aging conditions, or does it protect them from further decline? To answer this question, we have synthesized current theoretical models of aging in ASD and conducted a systematic literature review (Jan 1, 1980 - Feb 29, 2024) and meta-analysis to summarize empirical studies on cognitive and brain deviations in middle-to-old aged autistic adults. We explored findings that support different aging theories in ASD and addressed study limitations and future directions. This review sheds light on the poorly understood consequences of aging question raised by the autism community to pave the way for future studies to identify sensitive and reliable measures that best predict the onset, progression, and prognosis of pathological aging in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingying Wang
- Neurocognitive and Behavioral Development Laboratory, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, PO Box 118206, Gainesville, FL 32611-8205, USA
| | - Danielle Christensen
- Neurocognitive and Behavioral Development Laboratory, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, PO Box 118206, Gainesville, FL 32611-8205, USA; Laboratory for Rehabilitation Neuroscience, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, PO Box 118206, Gainesville, FL 32611-8205, USA
| | - Stephen A Coombes
- Laboratory for Rehabilitation Neuroscience, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, PO Box 118206, Gainesville, FL 32611-8205, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Zheng Wang
- Neurocognitive and Behavioral Development Laboratory, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, PO Box 118206, Gainesville, FL 32611-8205, USA.
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Van der Hulst E, van Heusden E, Wagemans J, Moors P. Additivity of grouping by proximity and luminance similarity is dependent on relative grouping strength: An analysis of individual differences in grouping sensitivity. Atten Percept Psychophys 2024; 86:1186-1205. [PMID: 37740153 DOI: 10.3758/s13414-023-02770-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
It has previously been shown that grouping by proximity is well described by a linear function relating the perceived orientation of a dot lattice to the ratio of the distances between the dots in the different orientations. Similarly, luminance influences how observers perceptually group stimuli. Using the dot lattice paradigm, it has been shown that proximity and luminance similarity interact additively, which means that their effects can be summed to predict an observers' percept. In this study, we revisit the additive interplay between proximity and luminance similarity and we ask whether this pattern might be the result of inappropriately averaging different types of observers or the imbalance between the strength of proximity grouping and luminance similarity grouping. To address these questions, we first ran a replication of the original study reporting the additive interplay between proximity and luminance similarity. Our results showed a convincing replication at the aggregate and individual level. However, at the individual level, all observers showed grouping by proximity whereas some observers did not show grouping by luminance similarity. In response, we ran a second experiment with enlarged luminance differences to reinforce the strength of grouping by luminance similarity and balance the strength of the two grouping cues. Interestingly, in this second experiment, additivity was not observed but instead a significant interaction was obtained. This disparity suggests that the additivity or interaction between two grouping cues in a visual stimulus is not a general rule of perceptual grouping but a consequence of relative grouping strength.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Johan Wagemans
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter Moors
- Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Beckerson M, Paisley C, Murdaugh D, Holm H, Lemelman A, Spencer A, O'Kelley S, Kana R. Reading comprehension improvement in autism. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1292018. [PMID: 38563029 PMCID: PMC10982812 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1292018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction A subset of autistic children excel at word decoding but have difficulty with reading comprehension (i.e., the discrepant poor comprehender reading profile). Prior research suggests the Visualizing and Verbalizing (V/V) for language comprehension and thinking intervention helps improve reading comprehension in autistic children with this reading profile. Previous studies have demonstrated the role of vocabulary, memory, and social functioning in reading comprehension; however, predictors and moderators of reading comprehension within this specific profile of autistic readers have not been thoroughly explored. Methods In this study, we examined the effectiveness of the V/V intervention by comparing reading comprehension scores between groups and across time. Participants included a sample of autistic children (AUT-EXP; n=22) and a waitlist control group of autistic children (AUT-WLC; n=17) with reading comprehension difficulties, as well as a sample of non-autistic children (Non-AUT; n=26) (all age 8-13 years). AUT-EXP and AUT-WLC groups completed a battery of cognitive assessments during pre and post tests. We also analyzed whether cognitive assessment scores predicted reading comprehension, and examined the moderating effects of group (AUT-EXP vs. AUT-WLC) on these relationships. Results The AUT-EXP group significantly improved in their pre to post reading comprehension scores (t(21)=4.19, p<.001, d=.89), whereas the AUT-WLC group did not. Verbal memory significantly predicted reading comprehension, though group did not moderate relationships between cognitive test performance and reading comprehension. Discussion Results suggest that the V/V intervention may help improve reading comprehension for autistic children with the discrepant poor comprehender reading profile. Additionally, strategies for improving verbal memory may indirectly enhance reading comprehension in autistic children with this reading profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan Beckerson
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Courtney Paisley
- Department of Developmental Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Donna Murdaugh
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Haley Holm
- Department of Neuropsychology, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Amy Lemelman
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alyssa Spencer
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States
| | - Sarah O'Kelley
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Rajesh Kana
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Homograph and homophone readings in Hong Kong bilingual children with autism spectrum disorder. JOURNAL OF CULTURAL COGNITIVE SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s41809-021-00089-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Borgolte A, Roy M, Sinke C, Wiswede D, Stephan M, Bleich S, Münte TF, Szycik GR. Enhanced attentional processing during speech perception in adult high-functioning autism spectrum disorder: An ERP-study. Neuropsychologia 2021; 161:108022. [PMID: 34530026 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2021.108022] [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: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Deficits in audiovisual speech perception have consistently been detected in patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Especially for patients with a highly functional subtype of ASD, it remains uncertain whether these deficits and underlying neural mechanisms persist into adulthood. Research indicates differences in audiovisual speech processing between ASD and healthy controls (HC) in the auditory cortex. The temporal dynamics of these differences still need to be characterized. Thus, in the present study we examined 14 adult subjects with high-functioning ASD and 15 adult HC while they viewed visual (lip movements) and auditory (voice) speech information that was either superimposed by white noise (condition 1) or not (condition 2). Subject's performance was quantified by measuring stimulus comprehension. In addition, event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded. Results demonstrated worse speech comprehension for ASD subjects compared to HC under noisy conditions. Moreover, ERP-analysis revealed significantly higher P2 amplitudes over parietal electrodes for ASD subjects compared to HC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Borgolte
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.
| | - Mandy Roy
- Asklepios, Psychiatric Hospital Ochsenzoll, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christopher Sinke
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Daniel Wiswede
- Dept. of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Michael Stephan
- Dept. of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Stefan Bleich
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany; Center of Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
| | - Thomas F Münte
- Dept. of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Gregor R Szycik
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
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Nejati V, Moradkhani L, Suggate S, Jansen P. The impact of visual-spatial abilities on theory of mind in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2021; 114:103960. [PMID: 33895697 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2021.103960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience impaired social cognition. AIMS In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relation between visual-spatial abilities and theory of mind in children and adolescents with and without ASD. METHODS Forty-five boys from the age of 7 to 17 years with ASD and thirty-one aged matched boys without ASD participated and completed the test of intrinsic stable visual-spatial ability (test of visual perceptual skill-revised), intrinsic dynamic visual-spatial ability (animal mental rotation test), and theory of mind test (TOMT). RESULTS Results showed that relative to boys without ASD, boys with ASD had a lower performance in theory of mind and intrinsic visual-spatial abilities. Secondly, theory of mind correlated with visual-spatial abilities in boys with ASD. Theory of mind for first and second order beliefs was predicted by the intrinsic dynamic visual abilities, whereas the theory of mind ability of emotion recognition was predicted by visual-spatial static abilities. In children without ASD, theory of mind for emotion recognition was predicted by intrinsic visual-spatial ability and the theory of mind for first order beliefs. DISCUSSION Theory of mind can be predicted by visual-spatial abilities in children and adolescents with ASD. Future studies should investigate the role of different types of intrinsic dynamic visual-spatial abilities (e.g., egocentric vs. object-based mental rotation tasks) in relation to different aspects of theory of mind in children and adolescents with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Nejati
- Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, PO Box: 1983969411, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Moradkhani
- Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, PO Box: 1983969411, Tehran, Iran
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Huang W, Zhang L, Sun Y, Chen F, Wang K. The Prediction Analysis of Autistic and Schizotypal Traits in Attentional Networks. Psychiatry Investig 2021; 18:417-425. [PMID: 33910323 PMCID: PMC8169336 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2020.0251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Empirical findings confirmed that autistic and schizotypal traits are associated with attentional function as well as include various dimensions. So far, no study has reported which dimension of these traits relates to attentional networks. This study aimed to find out whether there are associations between attentional networks and autistic traits; and between attentional networks and schizotypal traits. METHODS A total of 449 volunteers was included in this study, and autism-spectrum quotient (AQ), schizotypal personality questionnaire (SPQ), and attention network test (ANT) were used to measure autistic traits and schizotypal traits. The three independent attentional networks, including alerting network, orienting network, and executive control network, were also measured. RESULTS Autistic traits were associated with the orienting network, whereas schizotypal traits were associated with the orienting network and executive control network. Furthermore, attentional networks could be predicted by specific dimensions of autistic and schizotypal traits. AQ-attention switching [0.104 (-1.175- -0.025), p=0.041] and AQ-attention to detail [-0.097 (-0.798- -0.001), p=0.049] were significant predictors of orienting network and gender were significant predictor of executive network (Beta=0.107; 95% CI=-0.476-10.139; p=0.031). Whereas, schizotypal dimension "interpersonal" was a significant predictor of all three attentional networks [Alerting: 0.147 (-0.010-0.861), p=0.045; Orienting: 0.147 (0.018-0.733), p=0.040; Executive: 0.198 (0.215-1.309), p=0.006]. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that autistic and schizotypal traits were associated with attentional networks. The specific dimensions of autistic and schizotypal traits could predict attentional networks. Nevertheless, the attentional networks predicted with these two traits were different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanling Huang
- Department of Neurology, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Long Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cognition and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Hefei, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Mental Health, Hefei, China.,Department of Medical Psychology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yaoting Sun
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | | | - Kai Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cognition and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Hefei, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Mental Health, Hefei, China.,Department of Medical Psychology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Neufeld J, Hagström A, Van't Westeinde A, Lundin K, Cauvet É, Willfors C, Isaksson J, Lichtenstein P, Bölte S. Global and local visual processing in autism - a co-twin-control study. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2020; 61:470-479. [PMID: 31452200 PMCID: PMC7155117 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is associated with altered global and local visual processing. However, the nature of these alterations remains controversial, with contradictory findings and notions ranging from a reduced drive to integrate information into a coherent 'gestalt' ("weak central coherence" = WCC) to an enhanced perceptual functioning (EPF) in local processing. METHODS This study assessed the association between autism and global/local visual processing, using a large sample of monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins (N = 290, 48% females, age = 8-31 years). The Fragmented Pictures Test (FPT) assessed global processing, whereas local processing was estimated with the Embedded Figures Test (EFT) and the Block Design Test (BDT). Autism was assessed both categorically (clinical diagnosis), and dimensionally (autistic traits). Associations between visual tasks and autism were estimated both across the cohort and within-twin pairs where all factors shared between twins are implicitly controlled. RESULTS Clinical diagnosis and autistic traits predicted a need for more visual information for gestalt processing in the FPT across the cohort. For clinical diagnosis, this association remained within-pairs and at trend-level even within MZ twin pairs alone. ASD and higher autistic traits predicted lower EFT and BDT performance across the cohort, but these associations were lost within-pairs. CONCLUSIONS In line with the WCC account, our findings indicate an association between autism and reduced global visual processing in children, adolescents and young adults (but no evidence for EPF). Observing a similar association within MZ twins suggests a non-shared environmental contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Neufeld
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden
| | - A. Hagström
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden
| | - A. Van't Westeinde
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden,Department of Women's and Children's HealthUnit of Pediatric EndocrinologyKarolinska University HospitalKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - K. Lundin
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden
| | - É. Cauvet
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden
| | - C. Willfors
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden,Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Rare DiseasesKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - J. Isaksson
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden,Department of Neuroscience, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry UnitUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - P. Lichtenstein
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - S. Bölte
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden,Curtin Autism Research GroupEssential Partner Autism CRCSchool of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech PathologyCurtin UniversityPerthWAAustralia
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Paul A, Gallot C, Lelouche C, Bouvard MP, Amestoy A. Victimisation in a French population of children and youths with autism spectrum disorder: a case control study. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2018; 12:48. [PMID: 30524501 PMCID: PMC6276214 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-018-0256-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children and youths with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have behavioural characteristics and severe social disabilities that make them vulnerable to victimisation. The current study explores the prevalence of peer victimisation in this population in France. METHODS We used the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire-Screener Sum Version in a French sample of 39 children and youths with ASD and 53 typically developing (TD) children and youths and tested the association of the victimisation with socio-demographic factors and clinical factors of anxiety and post-traumatic stress. RESULTS The results indicate that 72% of the subjects with ASD had been victimised during the previous year and 94.9% during their entire lifetime. Of all students victimised at least once over the course of their lives, 75% had been victimised at school. Their peer victimisation score was significantly higher than in the TD group and was correlated to clinical factors such as a deficit in social skills and the severity of post-traumatic symptoms. Symptoms of anxiety were reported by parents of children and youths with ASD in 80% of cases. CONCLUSIONS Children and youths with ASD are particularly vulnerable to victimisation at school. Discussion focuses on the importance of considering the impacts and needs of school integration of this population in France in order to prevent these phenomena and their consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Paul
- 0000 0001 1554 2345grid.489895.1INCIA, CNRS, UMR 5287, Centre Ressource Autisme Aquitaine, Centre Hospitalier Charles Perrens, Bordeaux, France ,0000 0001 0226 3611grid.418076.cPresent Address: Centre Hospitalier Côte Basque, Bayonne, France
| | - C. Gallot
- 0000 0001 1554 2345grid.489895.1INCIA, CNRS, UMR 5287, Centre Ressource Autisme Aquitaine, Centre Hospitalier Charles Perrens, Bordeaux, France
| | - C. Lelouche
- 0000 0001 1554 2345grid.489895.1INCIA, CNRS, UMR 5287, Centre Ressource Autisme Aquitaine, Centre Hospitalier Charles Perrens, Bordeaux, France
| | - M. P. Bouvard
- 0000 0001 1554 2345grid.489895.1INCIA, CNRS, UMR 5287, Centre Ressource Autisme Aquitaine, Centre Hospitalier Charles Perrens, Bordeaux, France
| | - A. Amestoy
- 0000 0001 1554 2345grid.489895.1INCIA, CNRS, UMR 5287, Centre Ressource Autisme Aquitaine, Centre Hospitalier Charles Perrens, Bordeaux, France
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