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Qian H, Shao M, Wei Z, Zhang Y, Liu S, Chen L, Meng J. Intact painful sensation but enhanced non-painful sensation in individuals with autistic traits. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1432149. [PMID: 39045552 PMCID: PMC11263351 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1432149] [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: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Somatosensory abnormalities are commonly recognized as diagnostic criteria in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and may also exist in individuals with autistic traits. The present research included two studies to explore the painful and non-painful sensation and their cognitive-neurological mechanisms of individuals with autistic traits. Study 1 included 358 participants to assess the relationship between autistic traits and pain/non-pain sensitivities using questionnaires: the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire, and the Highly Sensitive Person Scale, respectively. Study 1 found that autistic traits were positively correlated with non-pain sensitivity, but not associated with pain sensitivity. Study 2 recruited 1,167 participants whose autistic traits were assessed using the AQ. Subsequently, thirty-three participants who scored within the top 10% and bottom 10% on the AQ were selected into High-AQ and Low-AQ groups, respectively, to explore the cognitive-neural responses of individuals with autistic traits to both painful and non-painful stimuli with event-related potential (ERP) technology. Results of Study 2 showed that the High-AQ group showed higher intensity ratings, more negative emotional reactions, and larger N1 amplitudes than the Low-AQ group to the non-painful stimuli, but no difference of response to the painful stimuli was found between High-AQ and Low-AQ groups. These findings suggest that individuals with autistic traits may experience enhanced non-painful sensation but intact painful sensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiling Qian
- Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Min Shao
- Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zilong Wei
- Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yudie Zhang
- Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shuqin Liu
- Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Meng
- Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
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Li T, Xiong Q, Shi R, Yi L. Autistic and Non-autistic Children's Pain Perception is Modulated by Their First-Hand Pain Sensitivity and Theory of Mind. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2024; 52:1173-1182. [PMID: 38345657 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-024-01176-y] [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: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
The current study examined whether autistic children's perception of others' pain could be modulated by their first-hand pain sensitivity and theory of mind (ToM). We measured the first-hand pain sensitivity, the rating of others' pain intensity, and the performance in the ToM tasks in 43 5- to 8-year-old autistic and 30 neurotypical children. Our results revealed hyposensitivity to first-hand pain, underestimation of others' pain intensity, as well as difficulties in the False Belief subtasks of ToM in autistic children. Furthermore, we detected an interaction between children's first-hand pain sensitivity and ToM in predicting their perception of others' pain. To be specific, for autistic and NT children with normal or hyper-sensitivity to first-hand pain, better performance on ToM predicted higher ratings for others' pain intensity; while for autistic and NT children with hyposensitivity to first-hand pain, ToM did not predict ratings for others' pain intensity. Our study contributes to the understanding of pain perception in young children and provides implications for clinical practices to improve social understanding in autistic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianbi Li
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences & Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qianhan Xiong
- Department of Counseling Psychology, Social Psychology, and Counseling, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA
| | - Ruoxi Shi
- Qingdao Autism Research Institute, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Li Yi
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences & Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at PKU Peking University, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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3
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Meng J, Li Y, Luo L, Li L, Jiang J, Liu X, Shen L. The Empathy for Pain Stimuli System (EPSS): Development and preliminary validation. Behav Res Methods 2024; 56:784-803. [PMID: 36862304 PMCID: PMC10830729 DOI: 10.3758/s13428-023-02087-4] [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: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
We present the Empathy for Pain Stimuli System (EPSS): a large-scale database of stimuli for studying people's empathy for pain. The EPSS comprises five sub-databases. First, the Empathy for Limb Pain Picture Database (EPSS-Limb) provides 68 painful and 68 non-painful limb pictures, exhibiting people's limbs in painful and non-painful situations, respectively. Second, the Empathy for Face Pain Picture Database (EPSS-Face) provides 80 painful and 80 non-painful pictures of people's faces being penetrated by a syringe or touched by a Q-tip. Third, the Empathy for Voice Pain Database (EPSS-Voice) provides 30 painful and 30 non-painful voices exhibiting either short vocal cries of pain or neutral interjections. Fourth, the Empathy for Action Pain Video Database (EPSS-Action_Video) provides 239 painful and 239 non-painful videos of whole-body actions. Finally, the Empathy for Action Pain Picture Database (EPSS-Action_Picture) provides 239 painful and 239 non-painful pictures of whole-body actions. To validate the stimuli in the EPSS, participants evaluated the stimuli using four different scales, rating pain intensity, affective valence, arousal, and dominance. The EPSS is available to download for free at https://osf.io/muyah/?view_only=33ecf6c574cc4e2bbbaee775b299c6c1 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Meng
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China.
- Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, School of Educational Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Yanting Li
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, School of Educational Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Longli Luo
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, School of Educational Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lingxiao Li
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, School of Educational Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, School of Educational Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaocui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, School of Educational Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Shen
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
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Kordbagheri M, Kordbagheri A, Tayim N, Davoudi M. Evaluation of the psychometric indicators of the Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory in Iranian adults. Asian J Psychiatr 2024; 91:103885. [PMID: 38157634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The DSM-5's Comprehensive Autism Traits Inventory (CATI) was a useful diagnostic tool for the general population because it covered all the critical aspects of autism. However, its reliability and validity in the overall Iranian population still need to be investigated. PURPOSE We reviewed the inventory and estimated the validity and reliability of the Iranian version of CATI among 1800 adults. METHODS The Persian version of CATI (CATI-I) was administered to 1800 Iranian adults using the online Star Questionnaire system. Internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity, test-retest reliability, and measurement invariance across genders were calculated. RESULTS The Correlated social & non-social bifactor model showed the best fit in the Iranian community (CFI=.966; TLI=.947; RMSEA=.045; SRMR=.028). Ultimately, the CATI-I scale in the Iranian community consisted of 39 items across six factors and two higher-order constructs. Additionally, the CATI-I scale's convergent validity and reliability values were acceptable. CONCLUSION The CATI-I demonstrates satisfactory reliability and validity in measuring autism traits. It is an appropriate model for the second-order social and non-social factors, and it also shows measurement invariance across genders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadreza Kordbagheri
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Alireza Kordbagheri
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Natalie Tayim
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammadreza Davoudi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Meng F, Xuan B. Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:2213-2223. [PMID: 37342828 PMCID: PMC10278863 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s411599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory (CATI) was an appropriate assessment tool that included all the principal dimensions related to autism defined in DSM-5 for the general population. However, its validity and reliability in the general Chinese population still need to be examined. Purpose We revised the inventory and estimated the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the CATI among 2232 general undergraduates. Methods The Chinese version of the CATI (CATI-C) was administered to 2259 undergraduates using the online Questionnaires Star electronic system. Internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity, test-retest reliability, and measurement invariance across gender were calculated. In order to determine the diagnostic accuracy and optimal cut-off score of the CATI-C, an analysis using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) was performed. Results The CATI-C includes 35 items of two factors and six dimensions. CFA demonstrated that the fit index of the structure of the scale was good (Satorra-Bentler chi-square/degrees of freedom [S-Bχ2 /df] = 2.406, Standardized Root Mean Square Residual [SRMR] = 0.038, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation [RMSEA] = 0.037, Comparative Fit Index [CFI] = 0.929, Tucker-Lewis Index [TLI] = 0.917). The convergent validity examined based on the Autism Spectrum Quotient total score was satisfactory (r = 0.54). The internal consistency reliability of social factor, non-social factor, and total scores were 0.87, 0.85, and 0.90. The test-retest reliability was 0.80. A cut-off score of 115 provided optimal sensitivity and specificity for the CATI-C (sensitivity = 0.926, specificity = 0.781, and Youden's index = 0.707). Conclusion The CATI-C has satisfactory reliability and validity in measuring autistic traits. It showed a good model fit for social and non-social second-order bifactors and measurement invariance across gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Meng
- School of Educational Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bin Xuan
- School of Educational Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
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Xiao L, Jiang S, Wang Y, Gao C, Liu C, Huo X, Li W, Guo B, Wang C, Sun Y, Wang A, Feng Y, Wang F, Sun T. Continuous high-frequency deep brain stimulation of the anterior insula modulates autism-like behavior in a valproic acid-induced rat model. J Transl Med 2022; 20:570. [PMID: 36474209 PMCID: PMC9724311 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03787-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Until now, the treatment of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain a difficult problem. The insula is involved in empathy and sensorimotor integration, which are often impaired in individuals with ASD. Deep brain stimulation, modulating neuronal activity in specific brain circuits, has recently been considered as a promising intervention for neuropsychiatric disorders. Valproic acid (VPA) is a potential teratogenic agent, and prenatal exposure can cause autism-like symptoms including repetitive behaviors and defective sociability. Herein, we investigated the effects of continuous high-frequency deep brain stimulation in the anterior insula of rats exposed to VPA and explored cognitive functions, behavior, and molecular proteins connected to autism spectrum disorder. METHODS VPA-exposed offspring were bilaterally implanted with electrodes in the anterior insula (Day 0) with a recovery period of 1 week. (Day 0-7). High-frequency deep brain stimulation was applied from days 11 to 29. Three behavioral tests, including three-chamber social interaction test, were performed on days 7, 13, 18, 25 and 36, and several rats were used for analysis of immediate early genes and proteomic after deep brain stimulation intervention. Meanwhile, animals were subjected to a 20 day spatial learning and cognitive rigidity test using IntelliCage on day 11. RESULTS Deep brain stimulation improved the sociability and social novelty preference at day 18 prior to those at day 13, and the improvement has reached the upper limit compared to day 25. As for repetitive/stereotypic-like behavior, self- grooming time were reduced at day 18 and reached the upper limit, and the numbers of burried marbles were reduced at day 13 prior to those at day 18 and day 25. The improvements of sociability and social novelty preference were persistent after the stimulation had ceased. Spatial learning ability and cognitive rigidity were unaffected. We identified 35 proteins in the anterior insula, some of which were intimately linked to autism, and their expression levels were reversed upon administration of deep brain stimulation. CONCLUSIONS Autism-like behavior was ameliorated and autism-related proteins were reversed in the insula by deep brain stimulation intervention, these findings reveal that the insula may be a potential target for DBS in the treatment of autism, which provide a theoretical basis for its clinical application., although future studies are still warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifei Xiao
- grid.412194.b0000 0004 1761 9803Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750000 China ,grid.413385.80000 0004 1799 1445Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750000 China
| | - Shucai Jiang
- grid.416966.a0000 0004 1758 1470Department of Neurosurgery, Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, 261000 China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- grid.412194.b0000 0004 1761 9803Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750000 China
| | - Caibin Gao
- grid.413385.80000 0004 1799 1445Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750000 China
| | - Cuicui Liu
- grid.477991.5Department of Otolaryngology and Head Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Yinchuan, Yinchuan, 750000 China
| | - Xianhao Huo
- grid.412194.b0000 0004 1761 9803Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750000 China ,grid.413385.80000 0004 1799 1445Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750000 China
| | - Wenchao Li
- grid.412194.b0000 0004 1761 9803Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750000 China
| | - Baorui Guo
- grid.440288.20000 0004 1758 0451Department of Neurosurgery, Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Xi’an, 710000 China
| | - Chaofan Wang
- grid.412194.b0000 0004 1761 9803Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750000 China
| | - Yu Sun
- grid.412194.b0000 0004 1761 9803Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750000 China
| | - Anni Wang
- grid.412194.b0000 0004 1761 9803Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750000 China
| | - Yan Feng
- grid.412194.b0000 0004 1761 9803Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750000 China
| | - Feng Wang
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000 China
| | - Tao Sun
- grid.412194.b0000 0004 1761 9803Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750000 China ,grid.413385.80000 0004 1799 1445Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750000 China
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Li Y, Wei Z, Shao M, Hong M, Yang D, Luo L, Meng J. Empathy for pain in individuals with autistic traits during observation of static and dynamic stimuli. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1022087. [PMID: 36465286 PMCID: PMC9709309 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1022087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have reported that individuals with autistic traits, like those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), may have impaired empathic responses when observing static stimuli of others' pain. However, it remains unclear whether individuals with autistic traits exhibit impaired empathy for pain in response to dynamic stimuli. The present study addressed this question by recruiting 529 individuals whose autistic traits were assessed using the autism-spectrum quotient (AQ) questionnaire. Thirty participants who scored within the top 10% and bottom 10% on the AQ were selected into High-AQ and Low-AQ groups, respectively. This study employed painful whole-body action pictures and videos as static and dynamic stimuli. Both groups were instructed to judge whether the models in the stimuli were experiencing pain, and their reaction times, accuracy and event-related potential (ERP) data were recorded. Results showed that the P2 amplitudes were larger in the High-AQ group than in the Low-AQ group when viewing painful static stimuli, while no difference between the two groups was found when viewing painful dynamic stimuli. These results suggest that autistic traits influenced the emotional processing of others' pain in response to static stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Li
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China.,Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zilong Wei
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China.,Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Min Shao
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China.,Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingyu Hong
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China.,Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Di Yang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China.,Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Longli Luo
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China.,Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Meng
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China.,Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
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