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Rezvani S, Hosseini-Zahraei SH, Tootchi A, Guger C, Chaibakhsh Y, Saberi A, Chaibakhsh A. A review on the performance of brain-computer interface systems used for patients with locked-in and completely locked-in syndrome. Cogn Neurodyn 2024; 18:1419-1443. [PMID: 39104673 PMCID: PMC11297882 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-023-09995-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with locked-in syndrome (LIS) and complete locked-in syndrome (CLIS) own a fully functional brain restricted within a non-functional body. In order to help LIS patients stay connected with their surroundings, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and related technologies have emerged. BCIs translate brain activity into actions that can be performed by external devices enabling LIS patients to communicate, leading to an increase in their quality of life. The past decade has seen the rapid development of BCIs that have the potential to be used for patients with locked-in syndrome, from which a great deal is tested only on healthy subjects and not on actual patients. This study aims to (1) provide the readers with a comprehensive study that contributes to this growing area of research by exploring the performance of BCIs tested specifically on LIS and CLIS patients, (2) give an overview of different modalities and paradigms used in different stages of the locked-in syndrome, and (3) discuss the contributions and limitations of BCIs introduced for the LIS and CLIS patients in the state-of-the-art and lay a groundwork for researchers interested in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Rezvani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University, University of Guilan, Campus 2, Rasht, 41447-84475 Guilan Iran
- Intelligent Systems and Advanced Control Lab, University of Guilan, Rasht, 41938-13776 Guilan Iran
| | | | - Amirreza Tootchi
- Department of Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), 723 W Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
| | | | - Yasmin Chaibakhsh
- Department of Cardiac Anesthesia, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Centre, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 19956-14331 Iran
| | - Alia Saberi
- Department of Neurology, Poursina Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, 41937-13194 Guilan Iran
| | - Ali Chaibakhsh
- Intelligent Systems and Advanced Control Lab, University of Guilan, Rasht, 41938-13776 Guilan Iran
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Guilan, Rasht, 41996-13776 Guilan Iran
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Marji M, Schwartz C, Nguyen T, Kupfer AS, Blais C, Restrepo MA, Glenberg AM. Learning to Listen: Changes in Children's Brain Activity Following a Listening Comprehension Intervention. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:585. [PMID: 39062408 PMCID: PMC11273652 DOI: 10.3390/bs14070585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
"Are you LISTENING?" may be one of the most frequent questions preschoolers hear from their parents and teachers, but can children be taught to listen carefully-and thus better comprehend language-and if so, what changes occur in their brains? Twenty-seven four- and five-year-old children were taught a language simulation strategy to use while listening to stories: first, they practiced moving graphics on an iPad to correspond to the story actions, and then they practiced imagining the movements. Compared to a control condition, children in the intervention answered comprehension questions more accurately when imagining moving the graphics and on a measure of transfer using a new story without any instruction and with only immovable graphics. Importantly, for children in the intervention, the change in comprehension from the first to the sixth day was strongly correlated with changes in EEG mu and alpha desynchronization, suggesting changes in motor and visual processing following the intervention. Thus, the data are consistent with our hypothesis that a language simulation listening comprehension intervention can improve children's listening comprehension by teaching children to align visual and motor processing with language comprehension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Marji
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, 950 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (M.M.); (C.S.); (T.N.); (A.S.K.); (C.B.)
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1202 W Johnson St, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Cody Schwartz
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, 950 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (M.M.); (C.S.); (T.N.); (A.S.K.); (C.B.)
| | - Tri Nguyen
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, 950 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (M.M.); (C.S.); (T.N.); (A.S.K.); (C.B.)
| | - Anne S. Kupfer
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, 950 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (M.M.); (C.S.); (T.N.); (A.S.K.); (C.B.)
| | - Chris Blais
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, 950 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (M.M.); (C.S.); (T.N.); (A.S.K.); (C.B.)
| | - Maria Adelaida Restrepo
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33620, USA;
| | - Arthur M. Glenberg
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, 950 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (M.M.); (C.S.); (T.N.); (A.S.K.); (C.B.)
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1202 W Johnson St, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- INICO, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Salamanca, Avda. de la Merced, 109-131, 37005 Salamanca, Spain
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Simarro Gonzalez M, Ni G, Lam V, Demopoulos C. Beyond words: an investigation of fine motor skills and the verbal communication spectrum in autism. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1379307. [PMID: 38835552 PMCID: PMC11148429 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1379307] [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: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study investigated the associations between fine motor skills and expressive verbal abilities in a group of 97 autistic participants (age 8-17, mean=12.41) and 46 typically developing youth (age 8-17, mean=12.48). Methods Participants completed assessments of motor and verbal communication skills, including finger tapping speed, grooved pegboard, grip strength, visual-motor integration tasks, and measures of speech and communication skills. ASD group performance on motor tests was compared to controls. Non-parametric tests were used to analyze group differences and correlations between motor and verbal communication skills. Based on prior research, we hypothesized that individuals on the autism spectrum would exhibit deficits in fine motor speed, dexterity, pencil motor control, but not manual motor strength. Additionally, we expected that impaired fine motor skills would be linked to poorer performance on standardized measures of verbal abilities. Results The results indicated that 80% of autistic participants demonstrated an impairment on at least one measure of motor skills, and as a group, they exhibited significantly poorer fine motor performance compared to the non-ASD group in dominant hand finger tapping speed, bilateral fine motor dexterity measured via the grooved pegboard task, and pencil motor coordination and visual-motor integration measured on the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration-Sixth Edition. Moreover, impaired fine motor skills were associated with poorer performance on standardized clinical measures of verbal abilities, including articulation errors, receptive and expressive language and vocabulary, rapid naming, oromotor sequencing, and parent reported functional communication skills and social communication symptoms. Discussion Overall,our findings suggest there is a high prevalence of fine motor impairments in ASD, and these impairments were associated with a range of verbal abilities. Further research is warranted to better understand the underlying mechanisms of these associations and develop targeted interventions to address both fine motor and verbal impairments in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Simarro Gonzalez
- Spoken Language Interest Group, Basque Centre on Cognition, Brain and Language, San Sebastian, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Gessica Ni
- Department of UCSF Epilepsy and Pediatric Brain Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Valerie Lam
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Carly Demopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Pulvermüller F. Neurobiological mechanisms for language, symbols and concepts: Clues from brain-constrained deep neural networks. Prog Neurobiol 2023; 230:102511. [PMID: 37482195 PMCID: PMC10518464 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Neural networks are successfully used to imitate and model cognitive processes. However, to provide clues about the neurobiological mechanisms enabling human cognition, these models need to mimic the structure and function of real brains. Brain-constrained networks differ from classic neural networks by implementing brain similarities at different scales, ranging from the micro- and mesoscopic levels of neuronal function, local neuronal links and circuit interaction to large-scale anatomical structure and between-area connectivity. This review shows how brain-constrained neural networks can be applied to study in silico the formation of mechanisms for symbol and concept processing and to work towards neurobiological explanations of specifically human cognitive abilities. These include verbal working memory and learning of large vocabularies of symbols, semantic binding carried by specific areas of cortex, attention focusing and modulation driven by symbol type, and the acquisition of concrete and abstract concepts partly influenced by symbols. Neuronal assembly activity in the networks is analyzed to deliver putative mechanistic correlates of higher cognitive processes and to develop candidate explanations founded in established neurobiological principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friedemann Pulvermüller
- Brain Language Laboratory, Department of Philosophy and Humanities, WE4, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Germany; Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Cluster of Excellence 'Matters of Activity', Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Germany.
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Jabouille F, Billot M, Hermand E, Lemonnier E, Perrochon A. Balance rehabilitation for postural control in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A two-case report study. Physiother Theory Pract 2023; 39:658-666. [PMID: 34939886 DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2021.2017090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effect of balance rehabilitation on postural control in both low and increased cognitive load conditions in two children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). METHODS Two children diagnosed with ASD participated in a 4-week personalized balance rehabilitation program with two sessions per week. We assessed postural control in two single task (ST) conditions with low cognitive load: Eyes Closed (EC), Eyes Open (EO); and in five increased cognitive load conditions. Those dual task (DT) conditions consisted of presenting images representing a neutral condition, sadness, anger, happiness, and fear. Postural control parameters (surface, velocity, medio-lateral and antero-posterior sway amplitudes of the center of pressure (CoP)) were collected by a posturographic platform before and after the balance rehabilitation. RESULTS The rehabilitation program resulted in a 30-96% improvement of postural control parameters in the ST condition for both participants. In DT, participant 1 progressed on all conditions while participant 2 progressed on 3 of the 5 conditions (sadness, anger and fear). CONCLUSION This suggests that these two children with ASD improved their balance control in both low and increased cognitive load conditions. These encouraging results need to be replicated before recommending balance rehabilitation as standard health rehabilitation in children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Jabouille
- Ilfomer, Institut Limousin de Formation Aux Métiers de La Réadaptation, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Maxime Billot
- Prismatics Lab (Predictive Research in Spine/Neuromodulation Management and Thoracic Innovation/Cardiac Surgery), Poitiers University Hospital, 2 Rue de La Milétrie, 86000 Poitiers, France
| | - Eric Hermand
- Laboratoire Ea 7369 URePSSS (Unité de Recherche Pluridisciplinaire Sport, Santé, Société), Université Du Littoral Côte d'Opale, Dunkerque, France.,Laboratoire Ea 6310 Havae (Handicap Autonomie Vieillissement Activité Environnement), Université de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Eric Lemonnier
- Centre Ressource Autisme, Hôpital Le Cluzeau, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Anaick Perrochon
- Ilfomer, Institut Limousin de Formation Aux Métiers de La Réadaptation, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France.,Laboratoire Ea 6310 Havae (Handicap Autonomie Vieillissement Activité Environnement), Université de Limoges, Limoges, France
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Word learning in ASD: the sensorimotor, the perceptual and the symbolic. JOURNAL OF CULTURAL COGNITIVE SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s41809-022-00117-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
AbstractWord learning requires successful pairing of form and meaning. A common hypothesis about the process of word learning is that initially, infants work on identifying the phonological segments corresponding to words (speech analysis), and subsequently map those segments onto meaning. A range of theories have been proposed to account for the underlying mechanisms and factors in this remarkable achievement. While some are mainly concerned with the sensorimotor affordances and perceptual properties of referents out in the world, other theories emphasize the importance of language as a system, and the relations among language units (other words or syntax). Recent approaches inspired by neuro-science suggest that the storage and processing of word meanings is supported by neural systems subserving both the representation of conceptual knowledge and its access and use (Lambon Ralph et al., Nature Reviews Neuroscience 18:42–55, 2017). Developmental disorders have been attested to impact on different aspects of word learning. While impaired word knowledge is not a hallmark of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and remains largely understudied in this population, there is evidence that there are, sometimes subtle, problems in that domain, reflected in both how such knowledge is acquired and how words are used (Vulchanova et al., Word knowledge and word usage: A cross-disciplinary guide to the mental lexicon, Mouton De Gruyter, 2020). In addition, experimental evidence suggests that children with autism present with specific problems in categorizing the referents of linguistic labels leading to subsequent problems with using those labels (Hartley and Allen, Autism 19:570–579, 2015). Furthermore, deficits have been reported in some of the underlying mechanisms, biases and use of cues in word learning, such as e.g., object shape (Field et al., Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 46:1210–1219, 2016; Tek et al., Autism Research 1:208–222, 2008). Finally, it is likely that symbol use might be impaired in ASD, however, the direction of the causal relationship between social and communication impairment in autism and symbolic skills is still an open question (Allen and Lewis, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 45:1–3, 2015; Allen and Butler, British Journal of Developmental Psychology 38:345–362, 2020; Wainwright et al., Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 50:2941–2956, 2020). Further support for impaired symbol formation in autism comes from the well-attested problems with figurative, non-literal language use (e.g., metaphors, idioms, hyperbole, irony) (Vulchanova et al., Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 9:24, 2015). Here we propose that embodied theories of cognition which link perceptual experience with conceptual knowledge (see Eigsti, Frontiers in Psychology 4:224, 2013; Klin et al., Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences 358:345–360, 2003) might be useful in explaining the difficulty in symbolic understanding that individuals with autism face during the word learning process.
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Sakihara K, Kita Y, Suzuki K, Inagaki M. Modulation effects of the intact motor skills on the relationship between social skills and motion perceptions in children with autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study. Brain Dev 2023; 45:39-48. [PMID: 36184381 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2022.09.001] [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: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An individual with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has social skill, motor skill, and motion perception deficits. However, the relationship among them was not clarified. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of motor skills on social skills and motion perception. METHODS Five typically developed children and fourteen children with ASD participated in our study. The N200 component, a brain activity indicating motion perception, was induced in mid-temporal (MT/V5) brain area by watching a random dot kinematograph, and was recorded using a scalp electroencephalogram. Furthermore, the social responsiveness scale (SRS) indicating the social skill deficit, the developmental coordination disorder questionnaire (DCDQ) estimating the developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and the movement assessment battery for children second edition (MABC-2) indicating motor skills were recorded in the children with ASD. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the modulation effects of motor skills on the relationship between social skills and motion perception. The dependent variable was the N200 latency, and the independent variables were SRS, MABC-2, and combined MABC-2 and SRS. RESULTS The N200 latency was more delayed in children with ASD relative that in typically developed children. Intact balance ability modulated the relationship between social skills and N200 latency in children with ASD. Within the high balance ability, when the social skills worsened, the N200 latency was shortened. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report that intact motor skills could modulate the relationship between social skills and motion perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotoe Sakihara
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Japan; Department of Developmental Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Japan.
| | - Yosuke Kita
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Letters, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan; Cognitive Brain Research Unit (CBRU), Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kota Suzuki
- Faculty of Education, Shitennoji University, Japan
| | - Masumi Inagaki
- Department of Developmental Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Japan; Tottori Prefectural Tottori Rehabilitation Center, Japan
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Mason AH, Pickett KA, Padilla AS, Travers BG. Combined Gait and Grasping in Autistic and Non-Autistic Youths. Dev Neurorehabil 2022; 25:452-461. [PMID: 35289701 PMCID: PMC9972923 DOI: 10.1080/17518423.2022.2052375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This study was designed to extend research on motor skill development in autism spectrum disorder using a dual-task skill. Nine autistic and 18 non-autistic youths walked without grasping or while reaching to grasp a small or large object. Step extremity ratio, percent time in double support, and normalized speed were quantified. We hypothesized that gait would differ between autistic and non-autistic youth and that differences would be moderated by the phase (approach and grasp) and the complexity of the task (walking and grasping versus walking alone). Although gait parameters were similar during the walking-only trials, the combined task resulted in slower speed and shorter steps in autistic youth, particularly during the grasp phase. These findings, while in a small sample, offer preliminary evidence that autistic youth who show typical gait during simple assessments of motor ability may have difficulties in more complex tasks that require the coordination of movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Mason
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - K A Pickett
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Program in Occupational Therapy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - A S Padilla
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - B G Travers
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Program in Occupational Therapy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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Roșca AM, Rusu L, Marin MI, Ene Voiculescu V, Ene Voiculescu C. Physical Activity Design for Balance Rehabilitation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9081152. [PMID: 36010043 PMCID: PMC9406473 DOI: 10.3390/children9081152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
One of the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) subjects is postural control deficit, which is significant when somatosensory perception is affected. This study analyzed postural stability evolution after physical therapy exercises based on balance training. The study included 28 children with ASD (average age 8 years, average weight 32.18 kg). The rehabilitation program involved performing balance exercises twice a week for three months. Subject assessment was carried out using the RSScan platform. The parameters were the surface of the confidence ellipse (A) and the length of the curve (L) described by the pressure center, which were evaluated before and after the rehabilitation program. Following data processing, we observed a significant decrease in the surface of the confidence ellipse by 92% from EV1 to EV2. Additionally, a decrease of 42% in the curve length was observed from EV1 to EV2. A t test applied to the ellipse surface showed a p = 0.021 and a Cohen’s coefficient of 0.8 (very large effect size). A t test applied to the length L showed p = 0.029 and Cohen’s coefficient of 1.27 mm. Thus, the results show a significant improvement in the two parameters. The application of the program based on physical exercise led to an improvement in the balance of children with autism under complex evaluation conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Maria Roșca
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, Romania; (A.M.R.); (V.E.V.)
| | - Ligia Rusu
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, Romania; (A.M.R.); (V.E.V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Mihnea Ion Marin
- Faculty of Mechanics, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Virgil Ene Voiculescu
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, Romania; (A.M.R.); (V.E.V.)
| | - Carmen Ene Voiculescu
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Ovidius University of Constant, 900470 Constanța, Romania;
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Davis CP, Eigsti IM, Healy R, Joergensen GH, Yee E. Autism-spectrum traits in neurotypicals predict the embodiment of manipulation knowledge about object concepts: Evidence from eyetracking. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268069. [PMID: 35877618 PMCID: PMC9312413 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensorimotor-based theories of cognition predict that even subtle developmental motor differences, such as those characterizing autism spectrum disorder (ASD), impact how we represent the meaning of manipulable objects (e.g., faucet). Here, we test 85 neurotypical participants, who varied widely on the Adult Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), a measure intended to capture variability in ASD characteristics in the general adult population (participant scores were all below the clinical threshold for autism). Participants completed a visual world eyetracking task designed to assess the activation of conceptual representations of manipulable objects. Participants heard words referring to manually manipulable objects (e.g., faucet) while we recorded their eye movements to arrays of four objects: the named object, a related object typically manipulated similarly (e.g., jar), and two unrelated objects. Consistent with prior work, we observed more looks to the related object than to the unrelated ones (i.e., a manipulation-relatedness effect). This effect likely reflects the overlapping conceptual representations of objects sharing manipulation characteristics (e.g., faucet and jar), due to embodied sensorimotor properties being part of their representations. Critically, we observed—among typically developed young adults—that as AQ scores increased, manipulation-relatedness effects decreased. In contrast, in a visual control condition, in which a target object was paired with related objects of a similar shape (e.g., snake and rope), relatedness effects increased with AQ scores. The results show that AQ scores can predict variation in how object-concept representations are activated for typically developed individuals. More speculatively, they are consistent with the hypothesis that in individuals with ASD, differences in object-concept representations emerge at least in part via differences in sensorimotor experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles P. Davis
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States of America
- CT Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Inge-Marie Eigsti
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States of America
- CT Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States of America
| | - Roisin Healy
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States of America
| | - Gitte H. Joergensen
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States of America
- CT Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States of America
| | - Eiling Yee
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States of America
- CT Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States of America
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Migó M, Guillory SB, McLaughlin CS, Isenstein EL, Grosman HE, Thakkar KN, Castellanos FX, Foss-Feig JH. Investigating Motor Preparation in Autism Spectrum Disorder With and Without Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2022; 52:2379-2387. [PMID: 34160725 PMCID: PMC10015467 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05130-5] [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: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated motor preparation and action-consequence prediction using the lateralized readiness potential (LRP). Motor impairments are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which commonly co-occur. Alterations in predictive processes may impact motor planning. Whether motor planning deficits are characteristic of ASD broadly or magnified in the context of co-morbid ADHD is unclear. ASD children with (ASD + ADHD; n = 12) and without (ASD - ADHD; n = 9) comorbid ADHD and typical controls (n = 29) performed voluntary motor actions that either did or did not result in auditory consequences. ASD - ADHD children demonstrated LRP enhancement when their action produced an effect while ASD + ADHD children had attenuated responses regardless of action-effect pairings. Findings suggest influence of ADHD comorbidity on motor preparation and prediction in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Migó
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1230, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sylvia B Guillory
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1230, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Christopher S McLaughlin
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1230, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Emily L Isenstein
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1230, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Brain and Cognitive Sciences Department, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Hannah E Grosman
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1230, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Katharine N Thakkar
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1230, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Francisco X Castellanos
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Clinical Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer H Foss-Feig
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1230, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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12
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Quantitative Assessment of Sensory Integration and Balance in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Cross-Sectional Study. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9030353. [PMID: 35327725 PMCID: PMC8947293 DOI: 10.3390/children9030353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Postural stability is dependent on the interpretation of external inputs acquired by sensory information processes, such as visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems, in order to accomplish neuromuscular control, balance maintenance, and appropriate motor response. A defect in any of these systems, or in the integration of information given by these systems, might threaten their capacity to maintain balance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the sensory integration and balance using the Biodex balance system (BBS) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the static posture. Seventy-four children from both sexes, 38 with ASD matched with 36 typically developed (TD) children as a control group, were included in the study. Using the Biodex balance system, the postural sway was evaluated through the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance (m-CTSIB) during quiet standing. In this test, four different situations were considered from standing position: eyes open/firm surface, eyes closed/firm surface, eyes open/foam surface, and eyes closed/foam surface. ASD children showed a significant increase in postural sway under all tested conditions when compared to the TD children group, especially for the conditions in which visual and somatosensory inputs were disrupted (p-value < 0.05). These results provide evidence that postural stability decreased in ASD children. Under static postural challenges, the current study’s findings imply that children diagnosed with ASD have postural control deficiencies, especially for the conditions in which visual and somatosensory input was disrupted. Further research must be conducted to find the best balance training program for ASD cases using the Biodex balance system and considering its impact on motor skills.
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13
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Henningsen-Schomers MR, Pulvermüller F. Modelling concrete and abstract concepts using brain-constrained deep neural networks. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2021; 86:2533-2559. [PMID: 34762152 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-021-01591-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A neurobiologically constrained deep neural network mimicking cortical areas relevant for sensorimotor, linguistic and conceptual processing was used to investigate the putative biological mechanisms underlying conceptual category formation and semantic feature extraction. Networks were trained to learn neural patterns representing specific objects and actions relevant to semantically 'ground' concrete and abstract concepts. Grounding sets consisted of three grounding patterns with neurons representing specific perceptual or action-related features; neurons were either unique to one pattern or shared between patterns of the same set. Concrete categories were modelled as pattern triplets overlapping in their 'shared neurons', thus implementing semantic feature sharing of all instances of a category. In contrast, abstract concepts had partially shared feature neurons common to only pairs of category instances, thus, exhibiting family resemblance, but lacking full feature overlap. Stimulation with concrete and abstract conceptual patterns and biologically realistic unsupervised learning caused formation of strongly connected cell assemblies (CAs) specific to individual grounding patterns, whose neurons were spread out across all areas of the deep network. After learning, the shared neurons of the instances of concrete concepts were more prominent in central areas when compared with peripheral sensorimotor ones, whereas for abstract concepts the converse pattern of results was observed, with central areas exhibiting relatively fewer neurons shared between pairs of category members. We interpret these results in light of the current knowledge about the relative difficulty children show when learning abstract words. Implications for future neurocomputational modelling experiments as well as neurobiological theories of semantic representation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malte R Henningsen-Schomers
- Department of Philosophy of Humanities, Brain Language Laboratory, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence 'Matters of Activity. Image Space Material', Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Friedemann Pulvermüller
- Department of Philosophy of Humanities, Brain Language Laboratory, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences, Berlin, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence 'Matters of Activity. Image Space Material', Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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14
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Galigani M, Fossataro C, Gindri P, Conson M, Garbarini F. Monochannel Preference in Autism Spectrum Conditions Revealed by a Non-Visual Variant of Rubber Hand Illusion. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:4252-4260. [PMID: 34595575 PMCID: PMC9508008 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05299-9] [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] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) are less susceptible to multisensory delusions, such as rubber hand illusion (RHI). Here, we investigate whether a monochannel variant of RHI is more effective in inducing an illusory feeling of ownership in ASC. To this aim, we exploit a non-visual variant of the RHI that, excluding vision, leverages only on the somatosensory channel. While the visual-tactile RHI does not alter the perceived hand position in ASC individuals, the tacto-tactile RHI effectively modulates proprioception to a similar extent as that found in typical development individuals. These findings suggest a more effective integration of multiple inputs originating from the same sensory channel in ASC, revealing a monochannel preference in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Galigani
- Manibus Lab, Psychology Department, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124, Turin, Italy
| | - Carlotta Fossataro
- Manibus Lab, Psychology Department, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124, Turin, Italy.
| | | | - Massimiliano Conson
- Neuropsychology Laboratory, Psychology Department, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Francesca Garbarini
- Manibus Lab, Psychology Department, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124, Turin, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute of Turin, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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15
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Zampella CJ, Wang LAL, Haley M, Hutchinson AG, de Marchena A. Motor Skill Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Clinically Focused Review. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2021; 23:64. [PMID: 34387753 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-021-01280-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review synthesizes recent, clinically relevant findings on the scope, significance, and centrality of motor skill differences in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). RECENT FINDINGS Motor challenges in ASD are pervasive, clinically meaningful, and highly underrecognized, with up to 87% of the autistic population affected but only a small percentage receiving motor-focused clinical care. Across development, motor differences are associated with both core autism symptoms and broader functioning, though the precise nature of those associations and the specificity of motor profiles to ASD remain unestablished. Findings suggest that motor difficulties in ASD are quantifiable and treatable, and that detection and intervention efforts targeting motor function may also positively influence social communication. Recent evidence supports a need for explicit recognition of motor impairment within the diagnostic framework of ASD as a clinical specifier. Motor differences in ASD warrant greater clinical attention and routine incorporation into screening, evaluation, and treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey J Zampella
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Leah A L Wang
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Margaret Haley
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anne G Hutchinson
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ashley de Marchena
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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16
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Nadeem MS, Murtaza BN, Al-Ghamdi MA, Ali A, Zamzami MA, Khan JA, Ahmad A, Rehman MU, Kazmi I. Autism - A Comprehensive Array of Prominent Signs and Symptoms. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1418-1433. [PMID: 33494665 DOI: 10.2174/1381612827666210120095829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a multifaceted neurodevelopmental condition characterized by multiple psychological and physiological impairments in young children. According to the recent reports, 1 out of every 58 newly-born children is suffering from autism. The aetiology of the disorder is complex and poorly understood, hindering the adaptation of targeted and effective therapies. There are no well- established diagnostic biomarkers for autism. Hence the analysis of symptoms by the pediatricians plays a critical role in the early intervention. METHODS In the present report, we have emphasized 24 behavioral, psychological and clinical symptoms of autism. RESULTS Impaired social interaction, restrictive and narrow interests, anxiety, depression; aggressive, repetitive, rigid and self-injurious behavior, lack of consistency, short attention span, fear, shyness and phobias, hypersensitivity and rapid mood alterations, high level of food and toy selectivity; inability to establish friendships or follow the instructions; fascination by round spinning objects and eating non-food materials are common psychological characteristics of autism. Speech or hearing impairments, poor cognitive function, gastrointestinal problems, weak immunity, disturbed sleep and circadian rhythms, weak motor neuromuscular interaction, lower level of serotonin and neurotransmitters, headache and body pain are common physiological symptoms. CONCLUSION A variable qualitative and quantitative impact of this wide range of symptoms is perceived in each autistic individual, making him/her distinct, incomparable and exceptional. Selection and application of highly personalized medical and psychological therapies are therefore recommended for the management and treatment of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shahid Nadeem
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bibi Nazia Murtaza
- Department of Zoology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Maryam A Al-Ghamdi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Akbar Ali
- College of Pharmacy, Northern Border University Rafha 1321, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mazin A Zamzami
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jalaluddin A Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aftab Ahmad
- College of Pharmacy, Northern Border University Rafha 1321, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mujaddad Ur Rehman
- Department of Zoology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Imran Kazmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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17
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How Technology Applied to Music-Therapy and Sound-Based Activities Addresses Motor and Social Skills in Autistic Children. MULTIMODAL TECHNOLOGIES AND INTERACTION 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/mti5030011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism affects how people perceive and make sense of the world around them. Autism is a spectrum condition which impacts people in different ways. Also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is characterized by challenges in the domains of social, cognitive and motor functioning, which differ in severity. Previous research suggests that music can have cognitive, psychosocial, behavioural, and motor benefits in this population. We systematically review the use of technology in Music-therapy and related sound-based activities to improve the motor and social skills of children. In May 2020 we conducted a systematic search on Music-therapy and musical activities for autistic children in research databases including Science Direct, APA PsycNet, Cochrane, IEE and Web of Science, to collect relevant studies. We initially collected 5179 papers of which only 27 studies were identified as suitable for the scope of this review. In the paper, we analyse and describe key characteristics of each project. We then highlight the commonalities, strengths and limitations of existing work, and identify implications for future interaction design.
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18
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Cordeiro ESG, Aprígio LCS, Azoni CAS, Gazzola JM. Postural balance in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. REVISTA CEFAC 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0216/20212350921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Purpose: to characterize the performance of children with autism spectrum disorders in two postural balance assessment scales. Methods: an observational cross-sectional study with a descriptive, analytical profile. Seven to 11-year-old children with mild autism spectrum disorder, diagnosed by an interdisciplinary team, according to the DSM-5, were assessed. The protocols used were the Sensory Organization Test and Pediatric Balance Scale. Results: all the children obtained maximum performance in the Sensory Organization Test. As for the Pediatric Balance Scale, the participants had similar responses in 8 out of its 14 items; in the other 6, there was a standard deviation. Conclusion: the participants did not have difficulties performing the Pediatric Balance Scale and Sensory Organization Test, scoring quite close to the maximum value.
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19
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Candini M, di Pellegrino G, Frassinetti F. The plasticity of the interpersonal space in autism spectrum disorder. Neuropsychologia 2020; 147:107589. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2020.107589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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20
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Alsaedi RH. An Assessment of the Motor Performance Skills of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Gulf Region. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10090607. [PMID: 32899306 PMCID: PMC7564795 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10090607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to determine the prevalence, severity, and nature of the motor abnormalities seen in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as well as to elucidate the associated developmental profiles. The short-form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (BOT-2) was used to assess various aspects of the motor performance of 119 children with ASD and 30 typically developing children (age range: 6–12 years) from three Gulf states. The results revealed the high prevalence of motor abnormalities among the ASD group when compared with the normative data derived from the BOT-2 manual as well as with the data concerning the typically developing group. The results also indicated that the motor performance of the children with ASD fell within the below-average range according to the BOT-2 cut-off score. Further, the results suggested that the age variable may influence the overall motor performance of children with ASD, since the children’s motor abnormalities may decrease with maturation. The results concerning the specific motor dysfunction profiles seen in individuals with ASD could help practitioners, parents, and educators to better understand the nature of the motor deficits exhibited by children with ASD, which could assist with the design and implementation of treatment and rehabilitation programs for such children. Overall, motor performance represents an important aspect that should be considered during the clinical evaluation of ASD and that should not be ignored during early interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rehab H. Alsaedi
- Faculty of Education, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane 4059, Australia;
- Department of Special Education, Taibah University, Madinah 41477, Saudi Arabia
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21
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Abstract
Sound symbolism, the surprising semantic relationship between meaningless pseudowords (e.g., 'maluma', 'takete') and abstract (round vs. sharp) shapes, is a hitherto unexplained human-specific knowledge domain. Here we explore whether abstract sound symbolic links can be explained by those between the sounds and shapes of bodily actions. To this end, we asked human subjects to match pseudowords with abstract shapes and, in a different experimental block, the sounds of actions with the shapes of the trajectories of the actions causing these same sounds. Crucially, both conditions were also crossed. Our findings reveal concordant matching in the sound symbolic and action domains, and, importantly, significant correlations between them. We conclude that the sound symbolic knowledge interlinking speech sounds and abstract shapes is explained by audiovisual information immanent to action experience along with acoustic similarities between speech and action sounds. These results demonstrate a fundamental role of action knowledge for abstract sound symbolism, which may have been key to human symbol-manipulation ability.
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22
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Early Motor Development Predicts Clinical Outcomes of Siblings at High-Risk for Autism: Insight from an Innovative Motion-Tracking Technology. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10060379. [PMID: 32560198 PMCID: PMC7349903 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10060379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Atypical motor patterns are potential early markers and predictors of later diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study aimed to investigate the early motor trajectories of infants at high-risk (HR) of ASD through MOVIDEA, a semi-automatic software developed to analyze 2D and 3D videos and provide objective kinematic features of their movements. MOVIDEA was developed within the Italian Network for early detection of Autism Spectrum Disorder (NIDA Network), which is currently coordinating the most extensive surveillance program for infants at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). MOVIDEA was applied to video recordings of 53 low-risk (LR; siblings of typically developing children) and 50 HR infants’ spontaneous movements collected at 10 days and 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks. Participants were grouped based on their clinical outcome (18 HR received an NDD diagnosis, 32 HR and 53 LR were typically developing). Results revealed that early developmental trajectories of specific motor parameters were different in HR infants later diagnosed with NDDs from those of infants developing typically. Since MOVIDEA was useful in the association of quantitative measures with specific early motor patterns, it should be applied to the early detection of ASD/NDD markers.
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23
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Armstrong EC, Caruso A, Servadio M, Andreae LC, Trezza V, Scattoni ML, Fernandes C. Assessing the developmental trajectory of mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders: Social and communication deficits in mice with Neurexin 1α deletion. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 19:e12630. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emily C. Armstrong
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College London London UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental DisordersKing's College London London UK
| | - Angela Caruso
- Research Coordination and Support ServiceIstituto Superiore di Sanità Rome Italy
| | - Michela Servadio
- Department of ScienceSection of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University “Roma Tre” Rome Italy
| | - Laura C. Andreae
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College London London UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental DisordersKing's College London London UK
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of ScienceSection of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University “Roma Tre” Rome Italy
| | - Maria L. Scattoni
- Research Coordination and Support ServiceIstituto Superiore di Sanità Rome Italy
| | - Cathy Fernandes
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental DisordersKing's College London London UK
- Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, PO82, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College London London UK
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24
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Bueichekú E, Aznárez-Sanado M, Diez I, d'Oleire Uquillas F, Ortiz-Terán L, Qureshi AY, Suñol M, Basaia S, Ortiz-Terán E, Pastor MA, Sepulcre J. Central neurogenetic signatures of the visuomotor integration system. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:6836-6843. [PMID: 32144139 PMCID: PMC7104395 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1912429117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Visuomotor impairments characterize numerous neurological disorders and neurogenetic syndromes, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Dravet, Fragile X, Prader-Willi, Turner, and Williams syndromes. Despite recent advances in systems neuroscience, the biological basis underlying visuomotor functional impairments associated with these clinical conditions is poorly understood. In this study, we used neuroimaging connectomic approaches to map the visuomotor integration (VMI) system in the human brain and investigated the topology approximation of the VMI network to the Allen Human Brain Atlas, a whole-brain transcriptome-wide atlas of cortical genetic expression. We found the genetic expression of four genes-TBR1, SCN1A, MAGEL2, and CACNB4-to be prominently associated with visuomotor integrators in the human cortex. TBR1 gene transcripts, an ASD gene whose expression is related to neural development of the cortex and the hippocampus, showed a central spatial allocation within the VMI system. Our findings delineate gene expression traits underlying the VMI system in the human cortex, where specific genes, such as TBR1, are likely to play a central role in its neuronal organization, as well as on specific phenotypes of neurogenetic syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisenda Bueichekú
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Basic Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Jaume I University, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Maite Aznárez-Sanado
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- School of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ibai Diez
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Neurotechnology Laboratory, Health Department, Tecnalia, E-48160 Derio, Spain
| | - Federico d'Oleire Uquillas
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08540
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129
| | - Laura Ortiz-Terán
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston MA 02115
| | - Abid Y Qureshi
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 66160
| | - Maria Suñol
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Psychiatry Department, Bellvitge University Hospital, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in Mental Health Network, Carlos III Health Institute, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Basaia
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Ortiz-Terán
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Maria A Pastor
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jorge Sepulcre
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115;
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129
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25
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Grisoni L, Moseley RL, Motlagh S, Kandia D, Sener N, Pulvermüller F, Roepke S, Mohr B. Prediction and Mismatch Negativity Responses Reflect Impairments in Action Semantic Processing in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:395. [PMID: 31798432 PMCID: PMC6868096 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurophysiological mechanisms underlying motor and language difficulties in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are still largely unclear. The present work investigates biological indicators of sound processing, (action-) semantic understanding and predictive coding and their correlation with clinical symptoms of ASD. Twenty-two adults with high-functioning ASD and 25 typically developed (TD) participants engaged in an auditory, passive listening, Mismatch Negativity (MMN) task while high-density electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded. Action and non-action words were presented in the context of sounds, which were either semantically congruent with regard to the body part they relate to or semantically incongruent or unrelated. The anticipatory activity before sound onset, the Prediction Potential (PP), was significantly reduced in the ASD group specifically for action, but not for non-action sounds. The early-MMN-like responses to words (latency: 120 ms) were differentially modulated across groups: controls showed larger amplitudes for words in action-sound compared to non-action contexts, whereas ASD participants demonstrated enlarged early-MMN-like responses only in a pure tone context, with no other modulation dependent on action sound context. Late-MMN-like responses around 560 ms post-stimulus onset revealed body-part-congruent action-semantic priming for words in control participants, but not in the ASD group. Importantly, neurophysiological indices of semantic priming in ASD participants correlated with the extent of autistic traits as revealed by the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). The data suggest that high-functioning adults with ASD show a specific deficit in semantic processing and predictive coding of sounds and words related to action, which is absent for neutral, non-action, sounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Grisoni
- Brain Language Laboratory, Department of Philosophy and Humanities, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rachel L Moseley
- Department of Psychology, University of Bournemouth, Poole, United Kingdom
| | - Shiva Motlagh
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dimitra Kandia
- Brain Language Laboratory, Department of Philosophy and Humanities, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Neslihan Sener
- Brain Language Laboratory, Department of Philosophy and Humanities, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Friedemann Pulvermüller
- Brain Language Laboratory, Department of Philosophy and Humanities, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Einstein Center for Neurosciences, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Roepke
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bettina Mohr
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.,Zentrum für Neuropsychologie und Intensive Sprachtherapie (ZeNIS), Berlin, Germany
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Hillus J, Moseley R, Roepke S, Mohr B. Action Semantic Deficits and Impaired Motor Skills in Autistic Adults Without Intellectual Impairment. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:256. [PMID: 31404247 PMCID: PMC6669914 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies indicate the functional importance of the motor cortex for higher cognition, language and semantic processing, and place the neural substrate of these processes in sensorimotor action-perception circuits linking motor, sensory and perisylvian language regions. Interestingly, in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), semantic processing of action and emotion words seems to be impaired and is associated with hypoactivity of the motor cortex during semantic processing. In this study, the relationship between semantic processing, fine motor skills and clinical symptoms was investigated in 19 individuals with ASD and 22 typically-developing matched controls. Participants completed two semantic decision tasks involving words from different semantic categories, a test of alexithymia (the Toronto Alexithymia Scale), and a test of fine motor skills (the Purdue Pegboard Test). A significant Group × Word Category interaction in accuracy (p < 0.05) demonstrated impaired semantic processing for action words, but not object words in the autistic group. There was no significant group difference when processing abstract emotional words or abstract neutral words. Moreover, our study revealed deficits in fine motor skills as well as evidence for alexithymia in the ASD group, but not in neurotypical controls. However, these motor deficits did not correlate significantly with impairments in action-semantic processing. We interpret the data in terms of an underlying dysfunction of the action-perception system in ASD and its specific impact on semantic language processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephina Hillus
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rachel Moseley
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Roepke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bettina Mohr
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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Khalili Ardali M, Rana A, Purmohammad M, Birbaumer N, Chaudhary U. Semantic and BCI-performance in completely paralyzed patients: Possibility of language attrition in completely locked in syndrome. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2019; 194:93-97. [PMID: 31151035 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Patients with completely locked-in syndrome (CLIS) are incapable of any voluntary muscle movement and do not have any means of communication. Recently functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) based brain computer interface (BCI) has been successfully used to enable communication with these patients. The developed fNIRS-BCI system relies on the intactness of language comprehension in these patients in all dimensions of language. Interwoven language and motor cortex in brain, and lack of muscular activity in long run, can cause language attrition due to complete immobility in CLIS patients. In this study we have investigated effects of semantic content of sentences presented to a CLIS patient on the performance of the BCI system during a YES/NO paradigm. Comparison of communication success rate in BCI classification between different semantic categories indicate that semantic content of sentences presented to a CLIS patient can affect the BCI performance. Affected concepts are mostly associated with executive words. These findings can be beneficial towards development of more reliable communication device for patients in CLIS. In addition, these results may assist in elucidating the cognitive changes in completely paralyzed patients with the passage of time since the onset of total immovability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Khalili Ardali
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany; Department of Cognitive Linguistics, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Aygul Rana
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany
| | - Mehdi Purmohammad
- Department of Cognitive Linguistics, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Niels Birbaumer
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany; Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ujwal Chaudhary
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany; Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Kühne K, Gianelli C. Is Embodied Cognition Bilingual? Current Evidence and Perspectives of the Embodied Cognition Approach to Bilingual Language Processing. Front Psychol 2019; 10:108. [PMID: 30787892 PMCID: PMC6373578 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating behavioral and neurophysiological evidence supports the idea of language being grounded in sensorimotor processes, with indications of a functional role of motor, sensory and emotional systems in processing both concrete and abstract linguistic concepts. However, most of the available studies focused on native language speakers (L1), with only a limited number of investigations testing embodied language processing in the case of a second language (L2). In this paper we review the available evidence on embodied effects in L2 and discuss their possible integration into existing models of linguistic processing in L1 and L2. Finally, we discuss possible avenues for future research towards an integrated model of L1 and L2 sensorimotor and emotional grounding.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Gianelli
- Division of Cognitive Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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Candini M, Giuberti V, Santelli E, di Pellegrino G, Frassinetti F. When social and action spaces diverge: A study in children with typical development and autism. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2019; 23:1687-1698. [DOI: 10.1177/1362361318822504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The space around the body has been defined as action space ( peripersonal space) and a social space ( interpersonal space). Within the current debate about the characteristics of these spaces, here we investigated the functional properties and plasticity of action and social space in developmental age. To these aims, children with typical development and autism spectrum disorders were submitted to Reaching- and Comfort-distance tasks, to assess peripersonal and interpersonal space, respectively. Participants approached a person (confederate) or an object and stopped when they thought they could reach the stimulus (Reaching-distance task), or they felt comfortable with stimulus’ proximity (Comfort-distance task). Both tasks were performed before and after a cooperative tool-use training, in which participant and confederate actively cooperated to reach tokens by using either a long (Experiment 1) or a short (Experiment 2) tool. Results showed that in both groups, peripersonal space extended following long-tool-use but not short-tool-use training. Conversely, in typical development, but not in autism spectrum disorders children, interpersonal space toward confederate reduced following the cooperative tool-use training. These findings reveal that action and social spaces are functionally dissociable both in typical and atypical development, and that action but not social space regulation is intact in children with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Giuseppe di Pellegrino
- University of Bologna, Italy
- Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Cesena, Italy
| | - Francesca Frassinetti
- University of Bologna, Italy
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Operative Unit for Recovery and Functional Rehabilitation of the Institute of CastelGoffredo (Mantova), Italy
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30
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Jacques C, Courchesne V, Meilleur AAS, Mineau S, Ferguson S, Cousineau D, Labbe A, Dawson M, Mottron L. What interests young autistic children? An exploratory study of object exploration and repetitive behavior. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0209251. [PMID: 30596684 PMCID: PMC6312372 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Behaviors characterized as restricted and repetitive (RRBs) in autism manifest in diverse ways, from motor mannerisms to intense interests, and are diagnostically defined as interfering with functioning. A variety of early autism interventions target RRBs as preoccupying young autistic children to the detriment of exploration and learning opportunities. In an exploratory study, we developed a novel stimulating play situation including objects of potential interest to autistic children, then investigated repetitive behaviors and object explorations in 49 autistic and 43 age-matched typical young children (20-69 months). Autistic children displayed significantly increased overall frequency and duration of repetitive behaviors, as well as increased specific repetitive behaviors. However, groups did not significantly differ in frequency and duration of overall object explorations, in number of different objects explored, or in explorations of specific objects. Exploratory analyses found similar or greater exploration of literacy-related objects in autistic compared to typical children. Correlations between repetitive behaviors and object explorations (their frequency and duration) revealed positive, not negative, associations in both groups. Our findings, from a novel situation incorporating potential autistic interests, suggest that RRBs do not necessarily displace exploration and its possibilities for learning in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudine Jacques
- Psychoeducation and Psychology Department, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, Québec, Canada
- Autism Research Group, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Valérie Courchesne
- Autism Research Group, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Suzanne Mineau
- Autism Research Group, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Ferguson
- Autism Research Group, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Dominique Cousineau
- Development Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ste-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Michelle Dawson
- Autism Research Group, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Laurent Mottron
- Autism Research Group, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Psychiatry Department, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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31
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Salo VC, Ferrari PF, Fox NA. The role of the motor system in action understanding and communication: Evidence from human infants and non-human primates. Dev Psychobiol 2018; 61:390-401. [PMID: 30315570 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
There is growing evidence that activation of the motor system during observation of actions, a phenomenon first observed in non-human primates, underlies action understanding and even communication. This review (a) examines the evidence on motor system activity as an underlying neural correlate of action understanding; (b) reviews the theoretical and empirical work linking action understanding and the development of communication, with a specific focus on the role that gestures play as an intermediary; and (c) discusses the research on and existing opportunities for understanding the link between the motor system and communication in both humans and non-human primates, through the lens of action perception. Bringing together findings and perspectives from developmental social cognition in both humans and non-human primates and applying recent neuroscientific perspectives will help to elucidate the processes underlying the ability to understand and communicate with others.
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Hirjak D, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Fritze S, Sambataro F, Kubera KM, Wolf RC. Motor dysfunction as research domain across bipolar, obsessive-compulsive and neurodevelopmental disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 95:315-335. [PMID: 30236781 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Although genuine motor abnormalities (GMA) are frequently found in schizophrenia, they are also considered as an intrinsic feature of bipolar, obsessive-compulsive, and neurodevelopmental disorders with early onset such as autism, ADHD, and Tourette syndrome. Such transnosological observations strongly suggest a common neural pathophysiology. This systematic review highlights the evidence on GMA and their neuroanatomical substrates in bipolar, obsessive-compulsive, and neurodevelopmental disorders. The data lends support for a common pattern contributing to GMA expression in these diseases that seems to be related to cerebello-thalamo-cortical, fronto-parietal, and cortico-subcortical motor circuit dysfunction. The identified studies provide first evidence for a motor network dysfunction as a correlate of early neurodevelopmental deviance prior to clinical symptom expression. There are also first hints for a developmental risk factor model of these mental disorders. An in-depth analysis of motor networks and related patho-(physiological) mechanisms will not only help promoting Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) Motor System construct, but also facilitate the development of novel psychopharmacological models, as well as the identification of neurobiologically plausible target sites for non-invasive brain stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dusan Hirjak
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stefan Fritze
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Katharina M Kubera
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Psychiatry, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Robert C Wolf
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Psychiatry, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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33
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Pulvermüller F. The case of CAUSE: neurobiological mechanisms for grounding an abstract concept. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 373:20170129. [PMID: 29914997 PMCID: PMC6015827 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
How can we understand causal relationships and how can we understand words such as 'cause'? Some theorists assume that the underlying abstract concept is given to us, and that perceptual correlation provides the relevant hints towards inferring causation from perceived real-life events. A different approach emphasizes the role of actions and their typical consequences for the emergence of the concept of causation and the application of the related term. A model of causation is proposed that highlights the family resemblance between causal actions and postulates that symbols are necessary for binding together the different partially shared semantic features of subsets of causal actions and their goals. Linguistic symbols are proposed to play a key role in binding the different subsets of semantic features of the abstract concept. The model is spelt out at the neuromechanistic level of distributed cortical circuits and the cognitive functions they carry. The model is discussed in light of behavioural and neuroscience evidence, and questions for future research are highlighted. In sum, taking causation as a concrete example, I argue that abstract concepts and words can be learnt and grounded in real-life interaction, and that the neurobiological mechanisms realizing such abstract semantic grounding are within our grasp.This article is part of the theme issue 'Varieties of abstract concepts: development, use and representation in the brain'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friedemann Pulvermüller
- Brain Language Laboratory, Department of Philosophy and Humanities, WE4, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Germany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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34
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Stins JF, Emck C. Balance Performance in Autism: A Brief Overview. Front Psychol 2018; 9:901. [PMID: 29922206 PMCID: PMC5996852 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Children with autism not only have limited social and communicative skills but also have motor abnormalities, such as poor timing and coordination of balance. Moreover, impaired gross motor skills hamper participation with peers. Balance control is interesting from a cognitive science perspective, since it involves a complex interplay between information processing, motor planning, and timing and sequencing of muscle movements. In this paper, we discuss the background of motor problems in children with autism, focusing on how posture is informed by sensory information processing. We also discuss the neurobiological basis of balance problems, and how this is related to anxiety in this group. We then discuss possible avenues for treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms, especially as regards movement-related interventions. Finally, we present a theoretical outlook and discuss whether some of the symptoms in ASD can be understood from an embodied cognition perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F Stins
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Claudia Emck
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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35
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Moseley RL, Hitchiner R, Kirkby JA. Self-reported sex differences in high-functioning adults with autism: a meta-analysis. Mol Autism 2018; 9:33. [PMID: 29796237 PMCID: PMC5960195 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-018-0216-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sex differences in autistic symptomatology are believed to contribute to the mis- and missed diagnosis of many girls and women with an autism spectrum condition (ASC). Whilst recent years have seen the emergence of clinical and empirical reports delineating the profile of young autistic girls, recognition of sex differences in symptomatology in adulthood is far more limited. Methods We chose here to focus on symptomatology as reported using a screening instrument, the Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R). In a meta-analysis, we pooled and analysed RAADS-R data from a number of experimental groups. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) searched for the presence of main effects of Sex and Diagnosis and for interactions between these factors in our sample of autistic and non-autistic adults. Results In social relatedness and circumscribed interests, main effects of Diagnosis revealed that as expected, autistic adults reported significantly greater lifetime prevalence of symptoms in these domains; an effect of Sex, in circumscribed interests, also suggested that males generally reported more prevalent symptoms than females. An interaction of Sex and Diagnosis in language symptomatology revealed that a normative sex difference in language difficulties was attenuated in autism. An interaction of Sex and Diagnosis in the sensorimotor domain revealed the opposite picture: a lack of sex differences between typically developing men and women and a greater prevalence of sensorimotor symptoms in autistic women than autistic men. Conclusions We discuss the literature on childhood sex differences in relation to those which emerged in our adult sample. Where childhood sex differences fail to persist in adulthood, several interpretations exist, and we discuss, for example, an inherent sampling bias that may mean that only autistic women most similar to the male presentation are diagnosed. The finding that sensorimotor symptomatology is more highly reported by autistic women is a finding requiring objective confirmation, given its potential importance in diagnosis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13229-018-0216-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Moseley
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB UK
| | - R Hitchiner
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB UK
| | - J A Kirkby
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB UK
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36
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García AM, Ibáñez A. When embodiment breaks down: Language deficits as novel avenues into movement disorders. Cortex 2018; 100:1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2017.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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37
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Fulceri F, Grossi E, Contaldo A, Narzisi A, Apicella F, Parrini I, Tancredi R, Calderoni S, Muratori F. Motor Skills as Moderators of Core Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Preliminary Data From an Exploratory Analysis With Artificial Neural Networks. Front Psychol 2018; 9:2683. [PMID: 30687159 PMCID: PMC6333655 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor disturbances have been widely observed in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and motor problems are currently reported as associated features supporting the diagnosis of ASD in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Studies on this issue reported disturbances in different motor domains, including both gross and fine motor areas as well as coordination, postural control, and standing balance. However, they failed to clearly state whether motor impairments are related to demographical and developmental features of ASD. Both the different methodological approaches assessing motor skills and the heterogeneity in clinical features of participants analyzed have been implicated as contributors to variance in findings. However, the non-linearity of the relationships between variables may account for the inability of the traditional analysis to grasp the core problem suggesting that the "single symptom approach analysis" should be overcome. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are computational adaptive systems inspired by the functioning processes of the human brain particularly adapted to solving non-linear problems. This study aimed to apply the ANNs to reveal the entire spectrum of the relationship between motor skills and clinical variables. Thirty-two male children with ASD [mean age: 48.5 months (SD: 8.8); age range: 30-60 months] were recruited in a tertiary care university hospital. A multidisciplinary comprehensive diagnostic evaluation was associated with a standardized assessment battery for motor skills, the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-Second Edition. Exploratory analyses were performed through the ANNs. The findings revealed that poor motor skills were a common clinical feature of preschoolers with ASD, relating both to the high level of repetitive behaviors and to the low level of expressive language. Moreover, unobvious trends among motor, cognitive and social skills have been detected. In conclusion, motor abnormalities in preschoolers with ASD were widespread, and the degree of impairment may inform clinicians about the severity of ASD core symptoms. Understanding motor disturbances in children with ASD may be relevant to clarify neurobiological basis and ultimately to guide the development of tailored treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Fulceri
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Grossi
- Autism Research Unit, Villa Santa Maria Institute, Tavernerio, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sara Calderoni
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Sara Calderoni, ;
| | - Filippo Muratori
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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