1
|
Mathée-Scott J, Prescott KE, Pomper R, Saffran J, Weismer SE. Prediction by Young Autistic Children from Visual and Spoken Input. J Autism Dev Disord 2024:10.1007/s10803-024-06568-z. [PMID: 39361065 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06568-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 10/09/2024]
Abstract
Recent theoretical accounts suggest that differences in the processing of probabilistic events underlie the core and associated traits of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These theories hypothesize that autistic individuals are differentially impacted by disruptions in probabilistic input relative to neurotypical peers. According to this view, autistic individuals assign disproportionate weight to prediction errors such that novel input is overweighted relative to the aggregation of prior input; this is referred to as 'hyperplasticity' of learning. Prediction among autistic individuals has primarily been examined in nonverbal, visual contexts with older children and adults. The present study examined 32 autistic and 32 cognitively-matched neurotypical (NT) children's ability to generate predictions and adjust to changes in predictive relationships in auditory stimuli using two eye gaze tasks. In both studies, children were trained and tested on an auditory-visual cue which predicted the location of a reward stimulus. In Experiment 1 the cue was non-linguistic (instrumental sound) whereas in Experiment 2 the cue was linguistically-relevant (speaker gender). In both experiments, the cue-reward contingency was switched after the first block of trials, and predictive behavior was evaluated across a second block of trials. Results: Analyses of children's looking behavior revealed similar performance in both groups on the non-linguistic task (Exp. 1). In the linguistically-relevant task (Exp. 2), predictive looking was less disrupted by the contingency switch for autistic children than NT children. Results suggest that autistic children may demonstrate hyperplastic learning in linguistically-relevant contexts, relative to NT peers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janine Mathée-Scott
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1975 Willow Dr, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
- Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, Michigan State University, 1026 Red Cedar Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
| | - Kathryn E Prescott
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1975 Willow Dr, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Unit 1020, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Ron Pomper
- Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, Michigan State University, 1026 Red Cedar Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Center for Childhood Deafness, Language and Learning, Boys Town National Research Hospital, 425 N. 30th St., Omaha, NE, 68131, USA
| | - Jenny Saffran
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1202 W Johnson St., Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Susan Ellis Weismer
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1975 Willow Dr, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chao ZC, Komatsu M, Matsumoto M, Iijima K, Nakagaki K, Ichinohe N. Erroneous predictive coding across brain hierarchies in a non-human primate model of autism spectrum disorder. Commun Biol 2024; 7:851. [PMID: 38992101 PMCID: PMC11239931 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06545-3] [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: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
In autism spectrum disorder (ASD), atypical sensory experiences are often associated with irregularities in predictive coding, which proposes that the brain creates hierarchical sensory models via a bidirectional process of predictions and prediction errors. However, it remains unclear how these irregularities manifest across different functional hierarchies in the brain. To address this, we study a marmoset model of ASD induced by valproic acid (VPA) treatment. We record high-density electrocorticography (ECoG) during an auditory task with two layers of temporal control, and applied a quantitative model to quantify the integrity of predictive coding across two distinct hierarchies. Our results demonstrate a persistent pattern of sensory hypersensitivity and unstable predictions across two brain hierarchies in VPA-treated animals, and reveal the associated spatio-spectro-temporal neural signatures. Despite the regular occurrence of imprecise predictions in VPA-treated animals, we observe diverse configurations of underestimation or overestimation of sensory regularities within the hierarchies. Our results demonstrate the coexistence of the two primary Bayesian accounts of ASD: overly-precise sensory observations and weak prior beliefs, and offer a potential multi-layered biomarker for ASD, which could enhance our understanding of its diverse symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zenas C Chao
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, 113-0033, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Misako Komatsu
- Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 226-8503, Tokyo, Japan.
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 351-0198, Wako, Japan.
- Department of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), 187-8502, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Madoka Matsumoto
- Department of Preventive Intervention for Psychiatric Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), 187-8553, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuki Iijima
- Department of Preventive Intervention for Psychiatric Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), 187-8553, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiko Nakagaki
- Department of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), 187-8502, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noritaka Ichinohe
- Department of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), 187-8502, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
O'Brien AM, May TA, Koskey KLK, Bungert L, Cardinaux A, Cannon J, Treves IN, D'Mello AM, Joseph RM, Li C, Diamond S, Gabrieli JDE, Sinha P. Development of a Self-Report Measure of Prediction in Daily Life: The Prediction-Related Experiences Questionnaire. J Autism Dev Disord 2024:10.1007/s10803-024-06379-2. [PMID: 38713266 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06379-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Predictions are complex, multisensory, and dynamic processes involving real-time adjustments based on environmental inputs. Disruptions to prediction abilities have been proposed to underlie characteristics associated with autism. While there is substantial empirical literature related to prediction, the field lacks a self-assessment measure of prediction skills related to daily tasks. Such a measure would be useful to better understand the nature of day-to-day prediction-related activities and characterize these abilities in individuals who struggle with prediction. METHODS An interdisciplinary mixed-methods approach was utilized to develop and validate a self-report questionnaire of prediction skills for adults, the Prediction-Related Experiences Questionnaire (PRE-Q). Two rounds of online field testing were completed in samples of autistic and neurotypical (NT) adults. Qualitative feedback from a subset of these participants regarding question content and quality was integrated and Rasch modeling of the item responses was applied. RESULTS The final PRE-Q includes 19 items across 3 domains (Sensory, Motor, Social), with evidence supporting the validity of the measure's 4-point response categories, internal structure, and relationship to other outcome measures associated with prediction. Consistent with models of prediction challenges in autism, autistic participants indicated more prediction-related difficulties than the NT group. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence for the validity of a novel self-report questionnaire designed to measure the day-to-day prediction skills of autistic and non-autistic adults. Future research should focus on characterizing the relationship between the PRE-Q and lab-based measures of prediction, and understanding how the PRE-Q may be used to identify potential areas for clinical supports for individuals with prediction-related challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M O'Brien
- Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Hock E. Tan and K. Lisa Yang Center for Autism Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Toni A May
- School of Education, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Lindsay Bungert
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine, Hofstra University, Long Island, NY, USA
| | - Annie Cardinaux
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan Cannon
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Isaac N Treves
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anila M D'Mello
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Robert M Joseph
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cindy Li
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Hock E. Tan and K. Lisa Yang Center for Autism Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sidney Diamond
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - John D E Gabrieli
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Hock E. Tan and K. Lisa Yang Center for Autism Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Pawan Sinha
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cary E, Pacheco D, Kaplan-Kahn E, McKernan E, Matsuba E, Prieve B, Russo N. Brain Signatures of Early and Late Neural Measures of Auditory Habituation and Discrimination in Autism and Their Relationship to Autistic Traits and Sensory Overresponsivity. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:1344-1360. [PMID: 36626009 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05866-8] [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: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Sensory differences are included in the DSM-5 criteria of autism for the first time, yet it is unclear how they relate to neural indicators of perception. We studied early brain signatures of perception and examined their relationship to sensory behaviors and autistic traits. Thirteen autistic children and 13 Typically Developing (TD) children matched on age and nonverbal IQ participated in a passive oddball task, during which P1 habituation and P1 and MMN discrimination were evoked by pure tones. Autistic children had less neural habituation than the TD comparison group, and the MMN, but not P1, mapped on to sensory overresponsivity. Findings highlight the significance of temporal and contextual factors in neural information processing as it relates to autistic traits and sensory behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Cary
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, 13244 2340, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Devon Pacheco
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Syracuse University, 621 Skytop Rd. Suite 1200, 13244, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth Kaplan-Kahn
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, 13244 2340, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth McKernan
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, 13244 2340, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Erin Matsuba
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, 13244 2340, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Beth Prieve
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Syracuse University, 621 Skytop Rd. Suite 1200, 13244, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Natalie Russo
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, 13244 2340, Syracuse, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Soto-Icaza P, Soto-Fernández P, Kausel L, Márquez-Rodríguez V, Carvajal-Paredes P, Martínez-Molina MP, Figueroa-Vargas A, Billeke P. Oscillatory activity underlying cognitive performance in children and adolescents with autism: a systematic review. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1320761. [PMID: 38384334 PMCID: PMC10879575 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1320761] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that exhibits a widely heterogeneous range of social and cognitive symptoms. This feature has challenged a broad comprehension of this neurodevelopmental disorder and therapeutic efforts to address its difficulties. Current therapeutic strategies have focused primarily on treating behavioral symptoms rather than on brain psychophysiology. During the past years, the emergence of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques (NIBS) has opened alternatives to the design of potential combined treatments focused on the neurophysiopathology of neuropsychiatric disorders like ASD. Such interventions require identifying the key brain mechanisms underlying the symptomatology and cognitive features. Evidence has shown alterations in oscillatory features of the neural ensembles associated with cognitive functions in ASD. In this line, we elaborated a systematic revision of the evidence of alterations in brain oscillations that underlie key cognitive processes that have been shown to be affected in ASD during childhood and adolescence, namely, social cognition, attention, working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. This knowledge could contribute to developing therapies based on NIBS to improve these processes in populations with ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Soto-Icaza
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Social y Neuromodulación, Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social, (neuroCICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Leonie Kausel
- Centro de Estudios en Neurociencia Humana y Neuropsicología (CENHN), Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
| | - Víctor Márquez-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Social y Neuromodulación, Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social, (neuroCICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Patricio Carvajal-Paredes
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Social y Neuromodulación, Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social, (neuroCICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - María Paz Martínez-Molina
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Social y Neuromodulación, Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social, (neuroCICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandra Figueroa-Vargas
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Social y Neuromodulación, Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social, (neuroCICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratory for Cognitive and Evolutionary Neuroscience (LaNCE), Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Billeke
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Social y Neuromodulación, Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social, (neuroCICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Isenstein EL, Freedman EG, Xu AJ, DeAndrea-Lazarus IA, Foxe JJ. Probing the Neurophysiology of Temporal Sensitivity in the Somatosensory System Using the Mismatch Negativity (MMN) Sensory Memory Paradigm. Neuroscience 2024; 536:47-56. [PMID: 37979841 PMCID: PMC11008681 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Duration is an amodal feature common to all sensory experiences, but low-level processing of the temporal qualities of somatosensation remains poorly understood. The goal of the present study was to evaluate electrophysiological discrimination of parametric somatosensory stimuli to better understand how the brain processes the duration of tactile information. This research used a somatosensory mismatch negativity (sMMN) paradigm to evaluate electrophysiological sensitivity to differences in the duration of vibrotactile stimuli in healthy young adults. Specifically, a 100 ms standard vibration was presented 80% of the time while the remaining 20% of presentations were made up of deviant stimuli with one of the following durations: 115, 130, 145, or 160 ms. When a deviation from the anticipated tactile input is detected, the distinct electrophysiological signature of the sMMN is present. A companion behavioral task assessed individual thresholds for cognizant awareness of the standard and deviant vibrotactile stimuli. The results of the present study demonstrated a sMMN response when deviant stimuli were 130, 145, and 160 ms, but not when they were 115 ms. This suggests that on average the participants did not electrophysiologically discriminate between the 100 and 115 ms. Future work may apply this paradigm to better understand atypical tactile sensitivity in various clinical conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Isenstein
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA; Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Edward G Freedman
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Ashley J Xu
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Ian A DeAndrea-Lazarus
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - John J Foxe
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA; Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Matsuba ESM, Prieve BA, Cary E, Pacheco D, Madrid A, McKernan E, Kaplan-Kahn E, Russo N. A Preliminary Study Characterizing Subcortical and Cortical Auditory Processing and Their Relation to Autistic Traits and Sensory Features. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:75-92. [PMID: 36227444 PMCID: PMC9559145 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05773-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This study characterizes the subcortical auditory brainstem response (speech-ABR) and cortical auditory processing (P1 and Mismatch Negativity; MMN) to speech sounds and their relationship to autistic traits and sensory features within the same group of autistic children (n = 10) matched on age and non-verbal IQ to their typically developing (TD) peers (n = 21). No speech-ABR differences were noted, but autistic individuals had larger P1 and faster MMN responses. Correlations revealed that larger P1 amplitudes and MMN responses were associated with greater autistic traits and more sensory features. These findings highlight the complexity of the auditory system and its relationships to behaviours in autism, while also emphasizing the importance of measurement and developmental matching.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin S. M. Matsuba
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
| | - Beth A. Prieve
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Syracuse University, 1200 Skytop Road, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
| | - Emily Cary
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
| | - Devon Pacheco
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Syracuse University, 1200 Skytop Road, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
| | - Angela Madrid
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Syracuse University, 1200 Skytop Road, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
| | - Elizabeth McKernan
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
| | - Elizabeth Kaplan-Kahn
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
| | - Natalie Russo
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dwyer P, Williams ZJ, Vukusic S, Saron CD, Rivera SM. Habituation of auditory responses in young autistic and neurotypical children. Autism Res 2023; 16:1903-1923. [PMID: 37688470 PMCID: PMC10651062 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3022] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Prior studies suggest that habituation of sensory responses is reduced in autism and that diminished habituation could be related to atypical autistic sensory experiences, for example, by causing brain responses to aversive stimuli to remain strong over time instead of being suppressed. While many prior studies exploring habituation in autism have repeatedly presented identical stimuli, other studies suggest group differences can still be observed in habituation to intermittent stimuli. The present study explored habituation of electrophysiological responses to auditory complex tones of varying intensities (50-80 dB SPL), presented passively in an interleaved manner, in a well-characterized sample of 127 autistic (MDQ = 65.41, SD = 20.54) and 79 typically developing (MDQ = 106.02, SD = 11.50) children between 2 and 5 years old. Habituation was quantified as changes in the amplitudes of single-trial responses to tones of each intensity over the course of the experiment. Habituation of the auditory N2 response was substantially reduced in autistic participants as compared to typically developing controls, although diagnostic groups did not clearly differ in habituation of the P1 response. Interestingly, the P1 habituated less to loud 80 dB sounds than softer sounds, whereas the N2 habituated less to soft 50 dB sounds than louder sounds. No associations were found between electrophysiological habituation and cognitive ability or participants' caregiver-reported sound tolerance (Sensory Profile Hyperacusis Index). The results present study results extend prior research suggesting habituation of certain sensory responses is reduced in autism; however, they also suggest that habituation differences observed using this study's paradigm might not be a primary driver of autistic participants' real-world sound intolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Dwyer
- Department of Psychology, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Zachary J. Williams
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Vanderbilt University School of
Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Hearing & Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University
Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN,
USA
- Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Vanderbilt University,
Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center,
Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Svjetlana Vukusic
- Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of General Practice, Melbourne Medical School, the
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Clifford D. Saron
- Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, UC Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Susan M. Rivera
- Department of Psychology, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, UC Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Angulo-Ruiz BY, Ruiz-Martínez FJ, Rodríguez-Martínez EI, Ionescu A, Saldaña D, Gómez CM. Linear and Non-linear Analyses of EEG in a Group of ASD Children During Resting State Condition. Brain Topogr 2023; 36:736-749. [PMID: 37330940 PMCID: PMC10415465 DOI: 10.1007/s10548-023-00976-7] [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: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
This study analyses the spontaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) brain activity of 14 children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to 18 children with normal development, aged 5-11 years. (i) Power Spectral Density (PSD), (ii) variability across trials (coefficient of variation: CV), and (iii) complexity (multiscale entropy: MSE) of the brain signal analysis were computed on the resting state EEG. PSD (0.5-45 Hz) and CV were averaged over different frequency bands (low-delta, delta, theta, alpha, low-beta, high-beta and gamma). MSE were calculated with a coarse-grained procedure on 67 time scales and divided into fine, medium and coarse scales. In addition, significant neurophysiological variables were correlated with behavioral performance data (Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT) and Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)). Results show increased PSD fast frequency bands (high-beta and gamma), higher variability (CV) and lower complexity (MSE) in children with ASD when compared to typically developed children. These results suggest a more variable, less complex and, probably, less adaptive neural networks with less capacity to generate optimal responses in ASD children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Y. Angulo-Ruiz
- Human Psychobiology Laboratory, Experimental Psychology Department, University of Seville, C/ Camilo José Cela S/N 41018, Seville, Spain
| | - Francisco J. Ruiz-Martínez
- Human Psychobiology Laboratory, Experimental Psychology Department, University of Seville, C/ Camilo José Cela S/N 41018, Seville, Spain
| | - Elena I. Rodríguez-Martínez
- Human Psychobiology Laboratory, Experimental Psychology Department, University of Seville, C/ Camilo José Cela S/N 41018, Seville, Spain
| | - Anca Ionescu
- Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - David Saldaña
- Laboratorio de Diversidad, Cognición y Lenguaje, Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, University of Seville, C/ Camilo José Cela S/N 41018, Seville, Spain
| | - Carlos M. Gómez
- Human Psychobiology Laboratory, Experimental Psychology Department, University of Seville, C/ Camilo José Cela S/N 41018, Seville, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Charlebois-Poirier AR, Lalancette E, Agbogba K, Fauteux AA, Knoth IS, Lippé S. Working memory and processing speed abilities are related to habituation and change detection in school-aged children: An ERP study. Neuropsychologia 2023; 187:108616. [PMID: 37339690 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
High cognitive performance is related to efficient brain processing while accomplishing complex cognitive tasks. This efficiency is observed through a rapid engagement of the brain regions and the cognitive processes required for task accomplishment. However, it is unclear if this efficiency is also present in basic sensory processes such as habituation and change detection. We recorded EEG with 85 healthy children (51 males) aged between 4 and 13 years old, while they listened to an auditory oddball paradigm. Cognitive functioning was evaluated using the Weschler Intelligence Scales for Children Fifth Edition and the Weschler Preschool & Primary School for Intelligence Fourth Edition. Auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) analyses and repeated measure analysis of covariance as well as regression models were performed. The analysis revealed that P1 and N1 repetition effects were observed across levels of cognitive functioning. Further, working memory abilities were related to repetition suppression on the auditory P2 component amplitude, while faster processing speed was related to repetition enhancement on the N2 component amplitude. Also, Late Discriminative Negativity (LDN) amplitude, a neural correlate of change detection, increased with working memory abilities. Our results confirm that efficient repetition suppression (i.e. greater reduction in amplitudes with greater levels of cognitive functioning) and more sensitive change detection (greater amplitude changes of the LDN) are related to the level of cognitive functioning in healthy children. More specifically, working memory and processing speed abilities are the cognitive domains related to efficient sensory habituation and change detection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A-R Charlebois-Poirier
- Research Center, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - E Lalancette
- Research Center, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - K Agbogba
- Research Center, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - A-A Fauteux
- Research Center, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - I S Knoth
- Research Center, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - S Lippé
- Research Center, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Merchie A, Gomot M. Habituation, Adaptation and Prediction Processes in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Comprehensive Review. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1110. [PMID: 37509040 PMCID: PMC10377027 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13071110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Habituation, the simplest form of learning preserved across species and evolution, is characterized by a response decrease as a stimulus is repeated. This adaptive function has been shown to be altered in some psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or schizophrenia. At the brain level, habituation is characterized by a decrease in neural activity as a stimulation is repeated, referred to as neural adaptation. This phenomenon influences the ability to make predictions and to detect change, two processes altered in some neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. In this comprehensive review, the objectives are to characterize habituation, neural adaptation, and prediction throughout typical development and in neurodevelopmental disorders; and to evaluate their implication in symptomatology, specifically in sensitivity to change or need for sameness. A summary of the different approaches to investigate adaptation will be proposed, in which we report the contribution of animal studies as well as electrophysiological studies in humans to understanding of underlying neuronal mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marie Gomot
- UMR 1253 iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Schulz SE, Luszawski M, Hannah KE, Stevenson RA. Sensory Gating in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Scoping Review. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2023; 51:1005-1019. [PMID: 37014483 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-023-01058-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
This review aimed to explore the current understanding of sensory gating in neurodevelopmental disorders as a possible transdiagnostic mechanism. We applied methods according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis, following the population, concept, and context scoping review eligibility criteria. Using a comprehensive search strategy in five relevant research databases (Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychInfo, and Scopus), we searched for relevant peer-reviewed, primary research articles and unpublished data. Two independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts, full-texts, and completed data extraction. We identified a total of 81 relevant articles and used descriptive analyses to summarize the characteristics and outcomes of all identified studies. Literature regarding sensory gating was most common in autistic populations with relatively fewer studies examining attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, tic disorders, and childhood-onset fluency disorder (COFD). The methods to assess sensory gating varied widely both within and between groups and included measures such as habituation, prepulse inhibition, affect-modulated inhibition, medication and other intervention trials. Most consistently, when participants complete questionnaires about their sensory experiences, those who have neurodevelopmental disorders report differences in their sensory gating. Affect-modulated inhibition appears to be discrepant between samples with and without neurodevelopmental disorder diagnoses. Habituation was the most commonly reported phenomenon and many differences in habituation have been found in autistic individuals and individuals with tic disorders whereas concerns with inhibition seemed more common in COFD. Overall, the evidence is inconsistent within and between disorders suggesting there is still much to learn about sensory gating in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E Schulz
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Western Institute for Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Michelle Luszawski
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Western Institute for Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Kara E Hannah
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Western Institute for Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ryan A Stevenson
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
- Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
- Western Institute for Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mayerle MCCDS, Riesgo R, Gregory L, Borges VMS, Sleifer P. Mismatch Negativity in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2023; 27:e218-e225. [PMID: 37125353 PMCID: PMC10147454 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1768209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have abnormalities in auditory perception and sensitivity. The mismatch negativity (MMN) component of the evoked potential demonstrates a brain detection response to an auditory change due to memory, and enables the identification of changes in the auditory system. Objective To analyze MMN responses in children and adolescents with ASD and compare them with those of a control group. Methods Cross-sectional and comparative study. The sample was composed of 68 children and adolescents, divided into study group (SG), which contained those diagnosed with ASD, and the control group (CG), which contained those with typical development, normal hearing thresholds, and without hearing complaints. All participants were submitted to peripheral and central electrophysiological auditory evaluations. For the electrophysiological auditory evaluation and MMN recording, the electrodes were fixed in the following positions: Fz (active electrode), M1 and M2 (reference electrodes), and on the forehead (ground electrode). Auditory stimuli were presented in both ears simultaneously, with a frequency of 1,000 Hz for the frequent stimulus, and of 2,000 Hz for the rare stimulus, in an intensity of 80 dBNA. Results Latency and amplitude values were increased in the SG, with a statistically significant difference in comparison with the CG. In the MMN analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in the comparison between right and left ears and between genders. Conclusion Children and adolescents with ASD had higher latency and amplitude values in the MMN component than the individuals in the CG.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rudimar Riesgo
- Departamento de Pediatria, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Letícia Gregory
- Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Viviann Magalhães Silva Borges
- Departamento de Saúde e Comunicação Humana, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Pricila Sleifer
- Departamento de Saúde e Comunicação Humana, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
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: 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: 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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Hyperacusis: Loudness Intolerance, Fear, Annoyance and Pain. Hear Res 2022; 426:108648. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2022.108648] [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: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
|
16
|
Janz P, Bainier M, Marashli S, Schoenenberger P, Valencia M, Redondo RL. Neurexin1α knockout rats display oscillatory abnormalities and sensory processing deficits back-translating key endophenotypes of psychiatric disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:455. [PMID: 36307390 PMCID: PMC9616904 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02224-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurexins are presynaptic transmembrane proteins crucial for synapse development and organization. Deletion and missense mutations in all three Neurexin genes have been identified in psychiatric disorders, with mutations in the NRXN1 gene most strongly linked to schizophrenia (SZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While the consequences of NRXN1 deletion have been extensively studied on the synaptic and behavioral levels, circuit endophenotypes that translate to the human condition have not been characterized yet. Therefore, we investigated the electrophysiology of cortico-striatal-thalamic circuits in Nrxn1α-/- rats and wildtype littermates focusing on a set of translational readouts, including spontaneous oscillatory activity, auditory-evoked oscillations and potentials, as well as mismatch negativity-like (MMN) responses and responses to social stimuli. On the behavioral level Nrxn1α-/- rats showed locomotor hyperactivity. In vivo freely moving electrophysiology revealed pronounced increases of spontaneous oscillatory power within the gamma band in all studied brain areas and elevation of gamma coherence in cortico-striatal and thalamocortical circuits of Nrxn1α-/- rats. In contrast, auditory-evoked oscillations driven by chirp-modulated tones showed reduced power in cortical areas confined to slower oscillations. Finally, Nrxn1α-/- rats exhibited altered auditory evoked-potentials and profound deficits in MMN-like responses, explained by reduced prediction error. Despite deficits for auditory stimuli, responses to social stimuli appeared intact. A central hypothesis for psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders is that a disbalance of excitation-to-inhibition is underlying oscillatory and sensory deficits. In a first attempt to explore the impact of inhibitory circuit modulation, we assessed the effects of enhancing tonic inhibition via δ-containing GABAA receptors (using Gaboxadol) on endophenotypes possibly associated with network hyperexcitability. Pharmacological experiments applying Gaboxadol showed genotype-specific differences, but failed to normalize oscillatory or sensory processing abnormalities. In conclusion, our study revealed endophenotypes in Nrxn1α-/- rats that could be used as translational biomarkers for drug development in psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Janz
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Marie Bainier
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Marashli
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Schoenenberger
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Miguel Valencia
- Universidad de Navarra, CIMA, Program of Neuroscience, 31080, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31080, Pamplona, Spain
- Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Universidad de Navarra, 31080, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Roger L Redondo
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ellis Weismer S, Saffran JR. Differences in Prediction May Underlie Language Disorder in Autism. Front Psychol 2022; 13:897187. [PMID: 35756305 PMCID: PMC9221834 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.897187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Language delay is often one of the first concerns of parents of toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and early language abilities predict broader outcomes for children on the autism spectrum. Yet, mechanisms underlying language deficits in autistic children remain underspecified. One prominent component of linguistic behavior is the use of predictions or expectations during learning and processing. Several researcher teams have posited prediction deficit accounts of ASD. The basic assumption of the prediction accounts is that information is processed by making predictions and testing violations against expectations (prediction errors). Flexible (neurotypical) brains attribute differential weights to prediction errors to determine when new learning is appropriate, while autistic individuals are thought to assign disproportionate weight to prediction errors. According to some views, these prediction deficits are hypothesized to lead to higher levels of perceived novelty, resulting in “hyperplasticity” of learning based on the most recent input. In this article, we adopt the perspective that it would be useful to investigate whether language deficits in children with ASD can be attributed to atypical domain-general prediction processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Ellis Weismer
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Jenny R Saffran
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Bigras C, Villatte B, Duda V, Hébert S. The electrophysiological markers of hyperacusis: a scoping review. Int J Audiol 2022:1-11. [PMID: 35549972 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2022.2070083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hyperacusis is known as a reduced tolerance to sounds perceived as normal to the majority of the population. There is currently no agreed definition, diagnostic tool, or objective measure of its occurrence. The purpose of this review is to catalogue the research to date on the use of auditory evoked potentials (AEP) to assess hyperacusis. DESIGN A step-by-step methodology was conducted following guidelines. Four databases were searched. A total of 3343 papers were identified. A final yield of 35 articles were retained for analysis. RESULTS The analysis identified four types of aetiologies to describe the hyperacusic population in AEP studies; developmental disorders (n = 19), neurological disorders (n = 3), induced hearing damage (n = 8) and idiopathic aetiology (n = 5). Electrophysiological measures were of short (n = 16), middle (n = 13) and long (n = 19) latencies, believed to reflect the activity of the ascending and descending pathways of the auditory system from periphery to cortex. CONCLUSIONS The results of this review revealed the potential use of electrophysiological measures for further understanding the mechanisms of hyperacusis. However, according to the disparity of concepts to define hyperacusis, definitions and populations need to be clarified before biomarkers specific to hyperacusis can be identified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Bigras
- School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Center of Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM), Montreal, Canada
| | - Bérangère Villatte
- School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Center of Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM), Montreal, Canada
| | - Victoria Duda
- School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation (CRIR), Montreal, Canada
| | - Sylvie Hébert
- School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Center of Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM), Montreal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lassen J, Oranje B, Vestergaard M, Foldager M, Kjaer TW, Arnfred S, Aggernaes B. Reduced mismatch negativity in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder is associated with their impaired adaptive functioning. Autism Res 2022; 15:1469-1481. [PMID: 35545929 PMCID: PMC9546157 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2738] [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: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Children and adolescents on the autism spectrum display sensory disturbances, rigid and repetitive behavior, social communication problems and a high prevalence of impaired adaptive functioning. Autism is associated with slowed behavioral and neural habituation to repeated sensory input and decreased responses to sensory deviations. Mismatch negativity (MMN) reflects a pre‐attentive difference in the neural response to sensory deviations relative to regularities and studies overall suggest that children and adolescents with autism tend to have smaller MMN. However, it remains unclear whether reduced MMN in autism is coupled to severity of specific autistic symptoms or more generally to lower level of adaptive functioning. To address these questions, the present study used electroencephalography (EEG) to assess whether auditory MMN in 59 children and adolescents with autism aged 7–14 years compared to 59 typically developing children and adolescents were related to specific autistic symptoms or level in adaptive functioning. As hypothesized, the autism group had a lower MMN amplitude than controls. Smaller MMN amplitudes were specifically associated with lower adaptive functioning in the autistic subjects but not in controls while no apparent relationships were observed with autistic‐like social interaction and communication problems, atypical language, rigidity, stereotypy or sensory sensitivity symptoms. Our findings indicate that a blunted response to changes in sensory input may underlie or contribute to the generalized difficulties with adapting to daily life circumstances seen in children and adolescents with autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Lassen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital - Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bob Oranje
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) & Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Copenhagen University Hospital, Psychiatric Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Martin Vestergaard
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital - Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Malene Foldager
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital - Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Troels W Kjaer
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Neurology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Sidse Arnfred
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Psychiatric Research Unit, Region Zealand, Denmark, Research Unit for Psychotherapy & Psychopathology, Mental Health Service West, Copenhagen University Hospital - Psychiatry Region Zealand, Slagelse, Denmark
| | - Bodil Aggernaes
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital - Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark.,PP Clinic Copenhagen, Gentofte, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Goris J, Braem S, Van Herck S, Simoens J, Deschrijver E, Wiersema JR, Paton B, Brass M, Todd J. Reduced Primacy Bias in Autism during Early Sensory Processing. J Neurosci 2022; 42:3989-3999. [PMID: 35361705 PMCID: PMC9097775 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3088-20.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent theories of autism propose that a core deficit in autism would be a less context-sensitive weighting of prediction errors. There is also first support for this hypothesis on an early sensory level. However, an open question is whether this decreased context sensitivity is caused by faster updating of one's model of the world (i.e., higher weighting of new information), proposed by predictive coding theories, or slower model updating. Here, we differentiated between these two hypotheses by investigating how first impressions shape the mismatch negativity (MMN), reflecting early sensory prediction error processing. An autism and matched control group of human adults (both n = 27, 8 female) were compared on the multi-timescale MMN paradigm, in which tones were presented that were either standard (frequently occurring) or deviant (rare), and these roles reversed every block. A well-replicated observation is that the initial model (i.e., the standard and deviant sound in the first block) influences MMN amplitudes in later blocks. If autism is characterized by faster model updating, and thus a smaller primacy bias, we hypothesized (and demonstrate using a simple reinforcement learning model) that their MMN amplitudes should be less influenced by the initial context. In line with this hypothesis, we found that MMN responses in the autism group did not differ between the initial deviant and initial standard sounds as they did in the control group. These findings are consistent with the idea that autism is characterized by faster model updating during early sensory processing, as proposed by predictive coding accounts of autism.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Recent theories of autism propose that a core deficit in autism is that they are faster to update their models of the world based on new sensory information. Here, we tested this hypothesis by investigating how first impressions shape brain responses during early sensory processing, and hypothesized that individuals with autism would be less influenced by these first impressions. In line with earlier studies, our results show that early sensory processing was influenced by first impressions in a control group. However, this was not the case in an autism group. This suggests that individuals with autism are faster to abandon their initial model, and is consistent with the proposal that they are faster to update their models of the world.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judith Goris
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Senne Braem
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Department of Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, 1050, Belgium
| | - Shauni Van Herck
- Research Group ExpORL, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Jonas Simoens
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Eliane Deschrijver
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, NSW 2033, Australia
| | - Jan R Wiersema
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Bryan Paton
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Marcel Brass
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Juanita Todd
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Janz P, Nicolas MJ, Redondo RL, Valencia M.
GABA
B
R
activation partially normalizes acute
NMDAR
hypofunction oscillatory abnormalities but fails to rescue sensory processing deficits. J Neurochem 2022; 161:417-434. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Janz
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann‐La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel Switzerland
| | - Maria Jesus Nicolas
- Universidad de Navarra, CIMA, Program of Neuroscience, 31080 Pamplona Spain
- IdiSNA Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31080 Pamplona Spain
| | - Roger L. Redondo
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann‐La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel Switzerland
| | - Miguel Valencia
- Universidad de Navarra, CIMA, Program of Neuroscience, 31080 Pamplona Spain
- IdiSNA Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31080 Pamplona Spain
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Riccioni A, Pro S, Di Criscio L, Terribili M, Siracusano M, Moavero R, Valeriani M, Mazzone L. High Intellectual Potential and High Functioning Autism: Clinical and Neurophysiological Features in a Pediatric Sample. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11121607. [PMID: 34942909 PMCID: PMC8699491 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11121607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
High Intellectual Potential (HIP) and High Functioning Autism (HFA) are two different conditions sharing some clinical and neurobiological features. The aim of the present study was to characterize a sample of HIP children (n: 16; M/F: 14/2; median age: 10 years) in comparison to those with HFA (n: 17; M/F: 16/1; median age: 13 years) and to neurotypically developed (NTD) children (n: 10; M/F: 4/6; median age: 11 years) from a clinical and neurophysiological perspective. Specifically, a standardized clinical assessment of cognitive and adaptive skills, autistic symptoms, executive functions and behavioral features was performed. Moreover, event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded, referring specifically to the mismatch negativity (MMN) and P300 paradigm. Our data highlighted the presence of similarities between the intellectually gifted individuals and the ones with autism (i.e., a nonhomogeneous intellective profile, an adaptive skills impairment, subthreshold autistic symptoms and increased perfectionism). Interestingly, a distinct neurophysiological characterization between groups came out, with evidence of a reduced MMN amplitude only in the HFA group. Furthermore, no differences within groups in the P300 component emerged. Therefore, our results start to provide a more informative characterization of the HIP phenotype in comparison to those of HFA and NTD, highlighting the potential role of the MMN amplitude index in helping clinicians and researchers to distinguish between HIP and HFA. Nevertheless, further research on the topic is strongly needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Assia Riccioni
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Fondazione PTV, Oxford Street 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; (L.D.C.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (L.M.)
- Systems Medicine Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-2090-0249
| | - Stefano Pro
- Child Neurology Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (M.V.)
| | - Lorena Di Criscio
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Fondazione PTV, Oxford Street 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; (L.D.C.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (L.M.)
| | - Monica Terribili
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Fondazione PTV, Oxford Street 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; (L.D.C.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (L.M.)
| | - Martina Siracusano
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Fondazione PTV, Oxford Street 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; (L.D.C.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (L.M.)
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Romina Moavero
- Systems Medicine Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Child Neurology Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (M.V.)
| | - Massimiliano Valeriani
- Child Neurology Unit, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (M.V.)
- Center for Sensory Motor Interaction, Aalborg University, 9100 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Luigi Mazzone
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Fondazione PTV, Oxford Street 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; (L.D.C.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (L.M.)
- Systems Medicine Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
O'Reilly JA. Roving oddball paradigm elicits sensory gating, frequency sensitivity, and long-latency response in common marmosets. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2021; 11:128-136. [PMID: 34622244 PMCID: PMC8482433 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mismatch negativity (MMN) is a candidate biomarker for neuropsychiatric disease. Understanding the extent to which it reflects cognitive deviance-detection or purely sensory processes will assist practitioners in making informed clinical interpretations. This study compares the utility of deviance-detection and sensory-processing theories for describing MMN-like auditory responses of a common marmoset monkey during roving oddball stimulation. The following exploratory analyses were performed on an existing dataset: responses during the transition and repetition sequence of the roving oddball paradigm (standard -> deviant/S1 -> S2 -> S3) were compared; long-latency potentials evoked by deviant stimuli were examined using a double-epoch waveform subtraction; effects of increasing stimulus repetitions on standard and deviant responses were analyzed; and transitions between standard and deviant stimuli were divided into ascending and descending frequency changes to explore contributions of frequency-sensitivity. An enlarged auditory response to deviant stimuli was observed. This decreased exponentially with stimulus repetition, characteristic of sensory gating. A slow positive deflection was viewed over approximately 300–800 ms after the deviant stimulus, which is more difficult to ascribe to afferent sensory mechanisms. When split into ascending and descending frequency transitions, the resulting difference waveforms were disproportionally influenced by descending frequency deviant stimuli. This asymmetry is inconsistent with the general deviance-detection theory of MMN. These findings tentatively suggest that MMN-like responses from common marmosets are predominantly influenced by rapid sensory adaptation and frequency preference of the auditory cortex, while deviance-detection may play a role in long-latency activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jamie A O'Reilly
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Rangsit University, 52/347 Muang-Ake, Phaholyothin Road, Pathumthani 12000, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Rotschafer SE. Auditory Discrimination in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:651209. [PMID: 34211363 PMCID: PMC8239241 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.651209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasingly common with 1 in 59 children in the United States currently meeting the diagnostic criteria. Altered sensory processing is typical in ASD, with auditory sensitivities being especially common; in particular, people with ASD frequently show heightened sensitivity to environmental sounds and a poor ability to tolerate loud sounds. These sensitivities may contribute to impairments in language comprehension and to a worsened ability to distinguish relevant sounds from background noise. Event-related potential tests have found that individuals with ASD show altered cortical activity to both simple and speech-like sounds, which likely contribute to the observed processing impairments. Our goal in this review is to provide a description of ASD-related changes to the auditory system and how those changes contribute to the impairments seen in sound discrimination, sound-in-noise performance, and language processing. In particular, we emphasize how differences in the degree of cortical activation and in temporal processing may contribute to errors in sound discrimination.
Collapse
|
25
|
Begum-Ali J, Kolesnik-Taylor A, Quiroz I, Mason L, Garg S, Green J, Johnson MH, Jones EJH. Early differences in auditory processing relate to Autism Spectrum Disorder traits in infants with Neurofibromatosis Type I. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:22. [PMID: 34049498 PMCID: PMC8161667 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-021-09364-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sensory modulation difficulties are common in children with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and could contribute to other social and non-social symptoms. Positing a causal role for sensory processing differences requires observing atypical sensory reactivity prior to the emergence of other symptoms, which can be achieved through prospective studies. METHODS In this longitudinal study, we examined auditory repetition suppression and change detection at 5 and 10 months in infants with and without Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), a condition associated with higher likelihood of developing ASD. RESULTS In typically developing infants, suppression to vowel repetition and enhanced responses to vowel/pitch change decreased with age over posterior regions, becoming more frontally specific; age-related change was diminished in the NF1 group. Whilst both groups detected changes in vowel and pitch, the NF1 group were largely slower to show a differentiated neural response. Auditory responses did not relate to later language, but were related to later ASD traits. CONCLUSIONS These findings represent the first demonstration of atypical brain responses to sounds in infants with NF1 and suggest they may relate to the likelihood of later ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jannath Begum-Ali
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, Henry Wellcome Building, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK.
| | - Anna Kolesnik-Taylor
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, Henry Wellcome Building, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Isabel Quiroz
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, Henry Wellcome Building, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Luke Mason
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, Henry Wellcome Building, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Shruti Garg
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jonathan Green
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Mark H Johnson
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, Henry Wellcome Building, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emily J H Jones
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, Henry Wellcome Building, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Fang H, Li X, Zhang W, Fan B, Wu Y, Peng W. Single dose testosterone administration enhances novelty responsiveness and short-term habituation in healthy males. Horm Behav 2021; 131:104963. [PMID: 33711638 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.104963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The role of testosterone in sensory perception suggests that testosterone likely regulates adaptive responses to sensory changes, including habituation to repeated events and responsiveness to novel events. To test this hypothesis, we investigated how testosterone modulates brain responses to rapid changes in sensory inputs. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-participant design, each participant received a single dose of either testosterone or placebo, and then completed a passive auditory oddball task in which infrequent deviant tones were embedded in a series of frequent standard tones. Analysis of novelty-evoked potentials revealed smaller Mismatch Negativity (MMN) responses, but larger P3a responses in the testosterone session than in the placebo session. This suggests testosterone attenuates MMN responses that are associated with pre-attentive novelty detection and enhances P3a responses that are associated with involuntary attentional orientation toward novelty. Along with the repetition of standard tones, P2 responses on the auditory evoked potentials became significantly attenuated in the testosterone session, but not in the placebo session. This suggests testosterone enhances short-term habituation of P2 responses to recurring sensory events, which has been associated with bottom-up attention allocation. Mediation analysis further revealed that the role of testosterone in promoting attentional orientation toward novelty could be explained by the influence it exerts on short-term habituation and pre-attentive novelty detection. Overall, testosterone facilitated involuntary attention switching-withdrawal of attention from repeated sensory events and orientation toward novel sensory events-at the cost of attenuated pre-attentive novelty detection. This finding provides insight into the interplay between endocrinology and involuntary attentional processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huihua Fang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Department of Psychology, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Xiaoyun Li
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenyun Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bi Fan
- School of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yin Wu
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiwei Peng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Cannon J, O’Brien AM, Bungert L, Sinha P. Prediction in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of Empirical Evidence. Autism Res 2021; 14:604-630. [PMID: 33570249 PMCID: PMC8043993 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
According to a recent influential proposal, several phenotypic features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be accounted for by differences in predictive skills between individuals with ASD and neurotypical individuals. In this systematic review, we describe results from 47 studies that have empirically tested this hypothesis. We assess the results based on two observable aspects of prediction: learning a pairing between an antecedent and a consequence and responding to an antecedent in a predictive manner. Taken together, these studies suggest distinct differences in both predictive learning and predictive response. Studies documenting differences in learning predictive pairings indicate challenges in detecting such relationships especially when predictive features of an antecedent have low salience or consistency, and studies showing differences in habituation and perceptual adaptation suggest low-level predictive processing differences in ASD. These challenges may account for the observed differences in the influence of predictive priors, in spontaneous predictive movement or gaze, and in social prediction. An important goal for future research will be to better define and constrain the broad domain-general hypothesis by testing multiple types of prediction within the same individuals. Additional promising avenues include studying prediction within naturalistic contexts and assessing the effect of prediction-based intervention on supporting functional outcomes for individuals with ASD. LAY SUMMARY: Researchers have suggested that many features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be explained by differences in the prediction skills of people with ASD. We review results from 47 studies. These studies suggest that ASD may be associated with differences in the learning of predictive pairings (e.g., learning cause and effect) and in low-level predictive processing in the brain (e.g., processing repeated sounds). These findings lay the groundwork for research that can improve our understanding of ASD and inform interventions. Autism Res 2021, 14: 604-630. © 2021 International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Cannon
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
| | - Amanda M. O’Brien
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, Harvard University
| | - Lindsay Bungert
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
| | - Pawan Sinha
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Roberta B, Riva V, Cantiani C, Riboldi EM, Molteni M, Macchi Cassia V, Bulf H. Dysfunctions in Infants' Statistical Learning are Related to Parental Autistic Traits. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 51:4621-4631. [PMID: 33582879 PMCID: PMC8531064 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-04894-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Statistical learning refers to the ability to extract the statistical relations embedded in a sequence, and it plays a crucial role in the development of communicative and social skills that are impacted in the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Here, we investigated the relationship between infants’ SL ability and autistic traits in their parents. Using a visual habituation task, we tested infant offspring of adults (non-diagnosed) who show high (HAT infants) versus low (LAT infants) autistic traits. Results demonstrated that LAT infants learned the statistical structure embedded in a visual sequence, while HAT infants failed. Moreover, infants’ SL ability was related to autistic traits in their parents, further suggesting that early dysfunctions in SL might contribute to variabilities in ASD symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bettoni Roberta
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Ateneo Nuovo, 1 (U6), 20126, Milano, Italy. .,NeuroMi, Milan Center for Neuroscience, Milano, Italy.
| | - Valentina Riva
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Chiara Cantiani
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Elena Maria Riboldi
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Massimo Molteni
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Viola Macchi Cassia
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Ateneo Nuovo, 1 (U6), 20126, Milano, Italy.,NeuroMi, Milan Center for Neuroscience, Milano, Italy
| | - Hermann Bulf
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Ateneo Nuovo, 1 (U6), 20126, Milano, Italy.,NeuroMi, Milan Center for Neuroscience, Milano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Di Lorenzo G, Riccioni A, Ribolsi M, Siracusano M, Curatolo P, Mazzone L. Auditory Mismatch Negativity in Youth Affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder With and Without Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:555340. [PMID: 33329094 PMCID: PMC7732489 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.555340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigates the differences in auditory mismatch negativity (MMN) parameters given in a sample of young subjects with autism spectrum disorder (ASD, n = 37) with or without co-occurrent attenuated psychosis syndrome (APS). Our results show that ASD individuals present an MMN decreased amplitude and prolonged latency, without being influenced by concurrent APS. Additionally, when correlating the MMN indexes to clinical features, in the ASD + APS group, we found a negative correlation between the severity of autistic symptoms and the MMN latency in both frequency (f-MMN r = -0.810; p < 0.0001) and duration (d-MMN r = -0.650; p = 0.006) deviants. Thus, our results may provide a more informative characterization of the ASD sub-phenotype when associated with APS, highlighting the need for further longitudinal investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Di Lorenzo
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Assia Riccioni
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Ribolsi
- Psychiatry Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Siracusano
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Paolo Curatolo
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Mazzone
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|