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Rapaport H, Sowman PF. Examining predictive coding accounts of typical and autistic neurocognitive development. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024:105905. [PMID: 39326770 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105905] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 09/16/2024] [Accepted: 09/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Predictive coding has emerged as a prominent theoretical framework for understanding perception and its neural underpinnings. There has been a recent surge of interest in the predictive coding framework across the mind sciences. However, comparatively little of the research in this field has investigated the neural underpinnings of predictive coding in young neurotypical and autistic children. This paper provides an overview of predictive coding accounts of typical and autistic neurocognitive development and includes a review of the current electrophysiological evidence supporting these accounts. Based on the current evidence, it is clear that more research in pediatrics is needed to evaluate predictive coding accounts of neurocognitive development fully. If supported, these accounts could have wide-ranging practical implications for pedagogy, parenting, artificial intelligence, and clinical approaches to helping autistic children manage the barrage of everyday sensory information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Rapaport
- School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - Paul F Sowman
- School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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2
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Kamensek T, Iarocci G, Oruc I. Atypical daily visual exposure to faces in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Curr Biol 2024; 34:4197-4208.e4. [PMID: 39181127 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.07.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Expert face processes are refined and tuned through a protracted development. Exposure statistics of the daily visual experience of neurotypical adults (the face diet) show substantial exposure to familiar faces. People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) do not show the same expertise with faces as their non-autistic counterparts. This may be due to an impoverished visual experience with faces, according to experiential models of autism. Here, we present the first empirical report on the day-to-day visual experience of the faces of adults with ASD. Our results, based on over 360 h of first-person perspective footage of daily exposure, show striking qualitative and quantitative differences in the ASD face diet compared with those of neurotypical observers, which is best characterized by a pattern of reduced and atypical exposure to familiar faces in ASD. Specifically, duration of exposure to familiar faces was lower in ASD, and faces were viewed from farther distances and from viewpoints that were biased toward profile pose. Our results provide strong evidence that individuals with ASD may not be getting the experience needed for the typical development of expert face processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd Kamensek
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, 818 W 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Grace Iarocci
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Ipek Oruc
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, 818 W 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada.
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3
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Elul D, Levin N. The Role of Population Receptive Field Sizes in Higher-Order Visual Dysfunction. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2024:10.1007/s11910-024-01375-6. [PMID: 39266871 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-024-01375-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Population receptive field (pRF) modeling is an fMRI technique used to retinotopically map visual cortex, with pRF size characterizing the degree of spatial integration. In clinical populations, most pRF mapping research has focused on damage to visual system inputs. Herein, we highlight recent work using pRF modeling to study high-level visual dysfunctions. RECENT FINDINGS Larger pRF sizes, indicating coarser spatial processing, were observed in homonymous visual field deficits, aging, and autism spectrum disorder. Smaller pRF sizes, indicating finer processing, were observed in Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. In posterior cortical atrophy, a unique pattern was found in which pRF size changes depended on eccentricity. Changes to pRF properties were observed in clinical populations, even in high-order impairments, explaining visual behavior. These pRF changes likely stem from altered interactions between brain regions. Furthermore, some studies suggested that pRF sizes change as part of cortical reorganization, and they can point towards future prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deena Elul
- fMRI Unit, Neurology Department Hadassah Medical Organization, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, POB 12000, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
- Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Netta Levin
- fMRI Unit, Neurology Department Hadassah Medical Organization, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, POB 12000, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.
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4
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Wagner J, Zurlo A, Rusconi E. Individual differences in visual search: A systematic review of the link between visual search performance and traits or abilities. Cortex 2024; 178:51-90. [PMID: 38970898 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2024.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Visual search (VS) comprises a class of tasks that we typically perform several times during a day and requires intentionally scanning (with or without moving the eyes) the environment for a specific target (be it an object or a feature) among distractor stimuli. Experimental research in lab-based or real-world settings has offered insight into its underlying neurocognitive mechanisms from a nomothetic point of view. A lesser-known but rapidly growing body of quasi-experimental and correlational research has explored the link between individual differences and VS performance. This combines different research traditions and covers a wide range of individual differences in studies deploying a vast array of VS tasks. As such, it is a challenge to determine whether any associations highlighted in single studies are robust when considering the wider literature. However, clarifying such relationships systematically and comprehensively would help build more accurate models of VS, and it would highlight promising directions for future research. This systematic review provides an up to date and comprehensive synthesis of the existing literature investigating associations between common indices of performance in VS tasks and measures of individual differences mapped onto four categories of cognitive abilities (short-term working memory, fluid reasoning, visual processing and processing speed) and seven categories of traits (Big Five traits, trait anxiety and autistic traits). Consistent associations for both traits (in particular, conscientiousness, autistic traits and trait anxiety - the latter limited to emotional stimuli) and cognitive abilities (particularly visual processing) were identified. Overall, however, informativeness of future studies would benefit from checking and reporting the reliability of all measurement tools, applying multiplicity correction, using complementary techniques, study preregistration and testing why, rather than only if, a robust relation between certain individual differences and VS performance exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Wagner
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Adriana Zurlo
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Elena Rusconi
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy; Centre of Security and Crime Sciences, University of Trento - University of Verona, Trento, Italy.
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5
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Wang HC, Feldman DE. Degraded tactile coding in the Cntnap2 mouse model of autism. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114612. [PMID: 39110592 PMCID: PMC11396660 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Atypical sensory processing is common in autism, but how neural coding is disrupted in sensory cortex is unclear. We evaluate whisker touch coding in L2/3 of somatosensory cortex (S1) in Cntnap2-/- mice, which have reduced inhibition. This classically predicts excess pyramidal cell spiking, but this remains controversial, and other deficits may dominate. We find that c-fos expression is elevated in S1 of Cntnap2-/- mice under spontaneous activity conditions but is comparable to that of control mice after whisker stimulation, suggesting normal sensory-evoked spike rates. GCaMP8m imaging from L2/3 pyramidal cells shows no excess whisker responsiveness, but it does show multiple signs of degraded somatotopic coding. This includes broadened whisker-tuning curves, a blurred whisker map, and blunted whisker point representations. These disruptions are greater in noisy than in sparse sensory conditions. Tuning instability across days is also substantially elevated in Cntnap2-/-. Thus, Cntnap2-/- mice show no excess sensory-evoked activity, but a degraded and unstable tactile code in S1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Chin Wang
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Daniel E Feldman
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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Constable T, Pilling RF, Woodhouse JM. Testing the Hard to Test: A Pilot Study Examining the Role of Questionnaires in Eliciting Visual Behaviours in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2024:10.1007/s10803-024-06509-w. [PMID: 39133394 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06509-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE There is a higher prevalence of visual problems in children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared with the neuro-typical population. Issues relating to visual perception can be evident as atypical visual behaviours (ViBes). The aim of the study was to compare findings of parents and eye health professionals using questionnaires to describe visual function in young children with ASD. MATERIALS AND METHODS Parents/Caregivers of patients diagnosed with ASD attending routine hospital eye clinics were invited to participate. A questionnaire to draw out presence of ViBes was completed by the parent prior to attending clinic. The clinician independently completed the same questionnaire and undertook a clinical ocular assessment. RESULTS 32 children were recruited (mean age 7 years, range 4-11). Most caregivers indicated they had noted at least one atypical ViBe (97%, median 5, range 0-8). Parental-reported ViBe8 scores were higher than clinician-reported scores (p = 0.04). The most commonly reported ViBes by both groups related to use of vision at the same time as other senses, and atypical fixation (e.g. looking away during speech or side viewing). There was weak correlation between visual acuity and parental ViBe8 score (rho = 0.364) and no correlation between refractive error and parental ViBe8 score (rho = 0.047). CONCLUSION Clinicians were likely to under-report atypical visual function compared with parent. Refraction and visual acuity alone do not detect all visual problems in children with ASD. A Visual Behaviour (ViBe) questionnaire offers a structured approach and shared language to allow documentation of functional visual assessment for both parents, carers, and educational professionals. Use of the ViBe questionnaire may promote understanding between caregiver and professional and provide a baseline for visual behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Constable
- Clinical Optometrist Children's Health Ireland (CHI) Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rachel Fiona Pilling
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Bradford, Shearbridge Road, Bradford, BD7 1NL, UK.
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Li M, Wang Y, Gao H, Xia Z, Zeng C, Huang K, Zhu Z, Lu J, Chen Q, Ke X, Zhang W. Exploring autism via the retina: Comparative insights in children with autism spectrum disorder and typical development. Autism Res 2024; 17:1520-1533. [PMID: 39075780 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a widely recognized neurodevelopmental disorder, yet the identification of reliable imaging biomarkers for its early diagnosis remains a challenge. Considering the specific manifestations of ASD in the eyes and the interconnectivity between the brain and the eyes, this study investigates ASD through the lens of retinal analysis. We specifically examined differences in the macular region of the retina using optical coherence tomography (OCT)/optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images between children diagnosed with ASD and those with typical development (TD). Our findings present potential novel characteristics of ASD: the thickness of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) with cone photoreceptors was significantly increased in ASD; the large-caliber arteriovenous of the inner retina was significantly reduced in ASD; these changes in the EZ and arteriovenous were more significant in the left eye than in the right eye. These observations of photoreceptor alterations, vascular function changes, and lateralization phenomena in ASD warrant further investigation, and we hope that this work can advance interdisciplinary understanding of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingchao Li
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
- Future Lab, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuexuan Wang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
| | - Huiyun Gao
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengwang Xia
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
| | - Chaofan Zeng
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
| | - Kun Huang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhaoqi Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianfeng Lu
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Ke
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiwei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Manning C. Visual processing and decision-making in autism and dyslexia: Insights from cross-syndrome approaches. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2024:17470218241264627. [PMID: 38876999 DOI: 10.1177/17470218241264627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Atypical visual processing has been reported in developmental conditions like autism and dyslexia, and some accounts propose a causal role for visual processing in the development of these conditions. However, few studies make direct comparisons between conditions, or use sufficiently sensitive methods, meaning that it is hard to say whether atypical visual processing tells us anything specific about these conditions, or whether it reflects a more general marker of atypical development. Here I review findings from two computational modelling approaches (equivalent noise and diffusion modelling) and related electroencephalography (EEG) indices which we have applied to data from autistic, dyslexic and typically developing children to reveal how the component processes involved in visual processing and decision-making are altered in autism and dyslexia. The results identify both areas of convergence and divergence in autistic and dyslexic children's visual processing and decision-making, with implications for influential theoretical accounts such as weak central coherence, increased internal noise, and dorsal-stream vulnerability. In both sets of studies, we also see considerable variability across children in all three groups. To better understand this variability, and further understand the convergence and divergence identified between conditions, future studies would benefit from studying how the component processes reviewed here relate to transdiagnostic dimensions, which will also give insights into individual differences in visual processing and decision-making more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Manning
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Bunce C, Gehdu BK, Press C, Gray KLH, Cook R. Autistic adults exhibit typical sensitivity to changes in interpersonal distance. Autism Res 2024; 17:1464-1474. [PMID: 38828663 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
The visual processing differences seen in autism often impede individuals' visual perception of the social world. In particular, many autistic people exhibit poor face recognition. Here, we sought to determine whether autistic adults also show impaired perception of dyadic social interactions-a class of stimulus thought to engage face-like visual processing. Our focus was the perception of interpersonal distance. Participants completed distance change detection tasks, in which they had to make perceptual decisions about the distance between two actors. On half of the trials, participants judged whether the actors moved closer together; on the other half, whether they moved further apart. In a nonsocial control task, participants made similar judgments about two grandfather clocks. We also assessed participants' face recognition ability using standardized measures. The autistic and nonautistic observers showed similar levels of perceptual sensitivity to changes in interpersonal distance when viewing social interactions. As expected, however, the autistic observers showed clear signs of impaired face recognition. Despite putative similarities between the visual processing of faces and dyadic social interactions, our results suggest that these two facets of social vision may dissociate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Bunce
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Bayparvah Kaur Gehdu
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK
| | - Clare Press
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK
| | - Katie L H Gray
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Richard Cook
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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10
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Riboldi EM, Capelli E, Cantiani C, Beretta C, Molteni M, Riva V. Differentiating early sensory profiles in toddlers at elevated likelihood of autism and association with later clinical outcome and diagnosis. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024; 28:1654-1666. [PMID: 37795823 PMCID: PMC11191663 DOI: 10.1177/13623613231200081] [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] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Early sensory responsiveness may produce cascading effects on later development, but the relation between sensory profiles and autistic diagnosis remains unclear. In a longitudinal sample of toddlers at elevated likelihood for autism, we aimed to characterize sensory subgroups and their association with clinical outcomes later on. Three sensory subgroups were described and early sensory sensitivity plays a significant role in later development and diagnosis. This study supported the importance of examining different levels of sensory patterns to dissect the phenotypic heterogeneity in sensory processing. As sensory differences are associated with later developmental outcomes, these results may be critical when designing intervention needs and support for children at increased likelihood for neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Capelli
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Chiara Cantiani
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Carolina Beretta
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Massimo Molteni
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Valentina Riva
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
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Marcu GM, Szekely-Copîndean RD, Zăgrean AM. Shared Psychophysiological Electroencephalographic Features in Maltreated Adolescent Siblings and Twins: A Case Report. Cureus 2024; 16:e63269. [PMID: 39070317 PMCID: PMC11282483 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.63269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
This case report presents a comprehensive assessment of four maltreated adolescents, two half-siblings, and two non-identical twins to investigate the effects of complex childhood trauma on brain functioning. The study aimed to identify shared psychophysiological features in the electroencephalographic (EEG) data of these adolescents compared to database norms. Quantitative EEG, event-related potentials (ERPs), and their independent components were analyzed to examine alterations in patterns of electrical activity associated with psychopathology. In the half-sibling pair, enhanced P1 and N1 amplitudes were observed during the cued Go/NoGo task, while reduced N2 amplitude was present in the fraternal twins. The type of trauma also seems to affect EEG spectral distribution and higher-order cognitive processes, such as attention allocation and response inhibition (N2 wave). Specifically, physically abused and bullied adolescents showed reduced N2 amplitudes and lower alpha power in the posterior region. No significant differences were noted in the ERP-independent components for maltreated adolescents compared to norms. The analysis of these cases aimed to provide insights into the neurobiological substrates underlying the overlapping symptoms and syndromes of child maltreatment, which may aid in differential diagnosis and the development of targeted interventions for trauma-related psychopathology in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela M Marcu
- Department of Functional Sciences, Division of Physiology II - Neuroscience, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
- Department of Psychology, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Sibiu, ROU
| | | | - Ana-Maria Zăgrean
- Department of Functional Sciences, Division of Physiology II - Neuroscience, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
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12
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Burnett LE, Koppensteiner P, Symonova O, Masson T, Vega-Zuniga T, Contreras X, Rülicke T, Shigemoto R, Novarino G, Joesch M. Shared behavioural impairments in visual perception and place avoidance across different autism models are driven by periaqueductal grey hypoexcitability in Setd5 haploinsufficient mice. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002668. [PMID: 38857283 PMCID: PMC11216578 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the diverse genetic origins of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), affected individuals share strikingly similar and correlated behavioural traits that include perceptual and sensory processing challenges. Notably, the severity of these sensory symptoms is often predictive of the expression of other autistic traits. However, the origin of these perceptual deficits remains largely elusive. Here, we show a recurrent impairment in visual threat perception that is similarly impaired in 3 independent mouse models of ASD with different molecular aetiologies. Interestingly, this deficit is associated with reduced avoidance of threatening environments-a nonperceptual trait. Focusing on a common cause of ASDs, the Setd5 gene mutation, we define the molecular mechanism. We show that the perceptual impairment is caused by a potassium channel (Kv1)-mediated hypoexcitability in a subcortical node essential for the initiation of escape responses, the dorsal periaqueductal grey (dPAG). Targeted pharmacological Kv1 blockade rescued both perceptual and place avoidance deficits, causally linking seemingly unrelated trait deficits to the dPAG. Furthermore, we show that different molecular mechanisms converge on similar behavioural phenotypes by demonstrating that the autism models Cul3 and Ptchd1, despite having similar behavioural phenotypes, differ in their functional and molecular alteration. Our findings reveal a link between rapid perception controlled by subcortical pathways and appropriate learned interactions with the environment and define a nondevelopmental source of such deficits in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Burnett
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | | | - Olga Symonova
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Tomás Masson
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Tomas Vega-Zuniga
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Ximena Contreras
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Thomas Rülicke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ryuichi Shigemoto
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Gaia Novarino
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Maximilian Joesch
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
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13
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Michel L, Ricou C, Bonnet-Brilhault F, Houy-Durand E, Latinus M. Sounds Pleasantness Ratings in Autism: Interaction Between Social Information and Acoustical Noise Level. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:2148-2157. [PMID: 37118645 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-05989-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
A lack of response to voices, and a great interest for music are part of the behavioral expressions, commonly (self-)reported in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These atypical interests for vocal and musical sounds could be attributable to different levels of acoustical noise, quantified in the harmonic-to-noise ratio (HNR). No previous study has investigated explicit auditory pleasantness in ASD comparing vocal and non-vocal sounds, in relation to acoustic noise level. The aim of this study is to objectively evaluate auditory pleasantness. 16 adults on the autism spectrum and 16 neuro-typical (NT) matched adults rated the likeability of vocal and non-vocal sounds, with varying harmonic-to-noise ratio levels. A group by category interaction in pleasantness judgements revealed that participants on the autism spectrum judged vocal sounds as less pleasant than non-vocal sounds; an effect not found for NT participants. A category by HNR level interaction revealed that participants of both groups rated sounds with a high HNR as more pleasant for non-vocal sounds. A significant group by HNR interaction revealed that people on the autism spectrum tended to judge as less pleasant sounds with high HNR and more pleasant those with low HNR than NT participants. Acoustical noise level of sounds alone does not appear to explain atypical interest for voices and greater interest in music in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Michel
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, 37000, Tours, France.
| | - Camille Ricou
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, 37000, Tours, France
| | - Frédérique Bonnet-Brilhault
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, 37000, Tours, France
- EXAC.T, Centre Universitaire de Pédopsychiatrie, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Emannuelle Houy-Durand
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, 37000, Tours, France
- EXAC.T, Centre Universitaire de Pédopsychiatrie, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Marianne Latinus
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, 37000, Tours, France
- Centro de Estudios en Neurociencia Humana y Neuropsicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
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14
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Sapey-Triomphe LA, Puts NAJ, Costa TL, Wagemans J. GABA and Glx predict EEG responses of visual sensitivity in autism. Autism Res 2024; 17:917-922. [PMID: 38576253 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying atypical sensory processing in autism remain to be elucidated, but research points toward a role of the glutamatergic/GABAergic balance. To investigate the potential relationships between visual sensitivity and its molecular correlates in autism, we combined data from electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies. Twenty autistic adults and sixteen neurotypical adults (NT) participated in both an EEG study assessing visual sensitivity (Sapey-Triomphe et al., Autism Research, 2023) and in an MRS study measuring Glx and GABA+ concentrations in the occipital cortex (Sapey-Triomphe et al., Molecular Autism, 2021). These studies revealed no group differences in neural detection thresholds or in Glx/GABA levels in the occipital cortex. Neural detection thresholds for contrast and spatial frequency (SF) were determined using fast periodic visual stimulations and neural frequency tagging. In the present study, Glx/GABA+ concentrations in the occipital cortex and neural detection thresholds did not differ between groups. Interestingly, lower Glx/GABA+ ratios were associated with lower contrast detection thresholds and higher SF detection thresholds. These correlations were also significant within the neurotypical and autistic groups. This report suggests that the Glx/GABA balance regulates visual detection thresholds across individuals. In both autistic and NTs, lower Glx/GABA ratios in the occipital cortex allow for better detection of visual inputs at the neural level. This study sheds light on the neurochemical underpinnings of visual sensitivity in autism and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie-Anne Sapey-Triomphe
- Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, CAP Team, Bron, France
| | - Nicolaas A J Puts
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, King's College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Thiago L Costa
- Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Johan Wagemans
- Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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15
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Vagnetti R, Vicovaro M, Spoto A, Battaglini L, Attanasio M, Valenti M, Mazza M. Atypical Time to Contact Estimation in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2024:10.1007/s10803-024-06352-z. [PMID: 38635130 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06352-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) present atypical sensory processing in the perception of moving stimuli and biological motion. The present study aims to explore the performance of young adults with ASD in a time to contact (TTC) estimation task involving social and non-social stimuli. TTC estimation involves extrapolating the trajectory of a moving target concealed by an occluder, based on the visible portion of its path, to predict the target's arrival time at a specific position. Sixteen participants with a diagnosis of level-1 ASD (M = 19.2 years, SE = 0.54 years; 3 F, 13 M) and sixteen participants with TD (M = 22.3 years, SE = 0.44 years; 3 F, 13 M) took part in the study and underwent a TTC estimation task. The task presented two object types (a car and a point-light walker), different object speeds, occluder lengths, motion directions and motion congruency. For the car object, a larger overestimation of TTC emerged for ASDs than for TDs, whereas no difference between ASDs and TDs emerged for the point-light walker. ASDs exhibited a larger TTC overestimation for the car object than for the point-light walker, whereas no difference between object types emerged for TDs. Our results indicated an atypical TTC estimation process in young adults with ASD. Given its importance in daily life, future studies should further explore this skill. Significant effects that emerged from the analysis are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Vagnetti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Michele Vicovaro
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
| | - Andrea Spoto
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Luca Battaglini
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Margherita Attanasio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Marco Valenti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- Regional Reference Centre for Autism (Centro di Riferimento Regionale per l'Autismo), Abruzzo Region Local Health Agency 1 (ASL 1), L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Monica Mazza
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- Regional Reference Centre for Autism (Centro di Riferimento Regionale per l'Autismo), Abruzzo Region Local Health Agency 1 (ASL 1), L'Aquila, Italy
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16
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Huang Q, Ellis CL, Leo SM, Velthuis H, Pereira AC, Dimitrov M, Ponteduro FM, Wong NML, Daly E, Murphy DGM, Mahroo OA, McAlonan GM. Retinal GABAergic Alterations in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1218232024. [PMID: 38467434 PMCID: PMC10993034 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1218-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) have been implicated in sensory differences in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Visual signals are initially processed in the retina, and in this study, we explored the hypotheses that the GABA-dependent retinal response to light is altered in individuals with ASD. Light-adapted electroretinograms were recorded from 61 adults (38 males and 23 females; n = 22 ASD) in response to three stimulus protocols: (1) the standard white flash, (2) the standard 30 Hz flickering protocol, and (3) the photopic negative response protocol. Participants were administered an oral dose of placebo, 15 or 30 mg of arbaclofen (STX209, GABAB agonist) in a randomized, double-blind, crossover order before the test. At baseline (placebo), the a-wave amplitudes in response to single white flashes were more prominent in ASD, relative to typically developed (TD) participants. Arbaclofen was associated with a decrease in the a-wave amplitude in ASD, but an increase in TD, eliminating the group difference observed at baseline. The extent of this arbaclofen-elicited shift significantly correlated with the arbaclofen-elicited shift in cortical responses to auditory stimuli as measured by using an electroencephalogram in our prior study and with broader autistic traits measured with the autism quotient across the whole cohort. Hence, GABA-dependent differences in retinal light processing in ASD appear to be an accessible component of a wider autistic difference in the central processing of sensory information, which may be upstream of more complex autistic phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyun Huang
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Research Center for Brain-Computer Interface, Pazhou Lab, Guangzhou 510665, China
| | - Claire L Ellis
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Shaun M Leo
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, United Kingdom
| | - Hester Velthuis
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Andreia C Pereira
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal
| | - Mihail Dimitrov
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca M Ponteduro
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Nichol M L Wong
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Eileen Daly
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Declan G M Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Omar A Mahroo
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, United Kingdom
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
- Section of Ophthalmology, St Thomas' Hospital, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom
- Department of Translational Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
| | - Gráinne M McAlonan
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
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17
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Larson C, Bochynska A, Vulchanova M. Mental rotation and language in autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2024; 17:785-798. [PMID: 38563047 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Though visuospatial skills are often considered a relative strength in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), unexplained difficulties relative to neurotypical (NT) peers have also been observed. Dissociations between spatial cognition and language skills in ASD may explain these difficulties given that these systems are linked in NT individuals. The current study examined performance on a mental rotation task that systematically varied stimulus features and the degree to which performance was associated with language in ASD relative to NT peers. Participants were children and young adults with ASD and 25 pairwise age- and IQ-matched NT peers (p's>0.53). The mental rotation task involved four conditions: two-dimensional (2D) abstract figures, three-dimensional (3D) abstract figures, 2D common objects, and 3D common objects. Structural language was measured using the grammar subscale from the Test of Language Development: Intermediate adapted for Norwegian. Mixed-effects model results indicated that autistic individuals were less accurate and had slower reaction time across mental rotation task conditions than NT peers. Language was associated with mental rotation accuracy for both groups across conditions, but with reaction time only for the NT group. The current study demonstrated selective associations between language and performance on a classic spatial cognition task in autistic individuals. Namely, there was a dissociation between language and in-the-moment efficiency in the ASD group, and this dissociation may reflect a broader dissociation between visuospatial and language systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Larson
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Agata Bochynska
- University of Oslo Library, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Language and Literature, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Mila Vulchanova
- Department of Language and Literature, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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18
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Goldfarb Y, Assion F, Begeer S. Where do autistic people work? The distribution and predictors of occupational sectors of autistic and general population employees. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024:13623613241239388. [PMID: 38497251 DOI: 10.1177/13623613241239388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Studies on employment of autistic individuals mainly assessed if they work and what their working conditions are (e.g. weekly hours, salary) while less is known about where they work. We explore this issue in our study, by examining which employment sectors do autistic adults work in, and comparing them to the general workforce in the Netherlands. We also explored the possibility that gender, age, age at diagnosis, level of education, degree of autistic traits and presence of focused interests could lead to a higher likelihood of working in specific sectors. We assessed data from a survey filled in by 1115 employed autistic adults (476 male; 627 female; 12 other; mean age: 40.75). Dutch workforce information was based on data form the Central Bureau of Statistics. Results showed that a higher proportion of autistic employees worked in healthcare & welfare, information technology, and the public-army-charity sectors. These were the three most-common sectors for this group. A lower proportion of autistic employees worked in economics & finances, and industry & construction, compared to the general workforce. Most autistic employees in the healthcare & welfare sector were females while having a higher educational degree and being male increased the chance of working in information technology. In addition to the common impression that most autistic individuals have interests or abilities that align with employment in information technology and technology sectors, we found that autistic employees worked in various sectors. It is important to address individual characteristics and needs of autistic individuals, while encouraging diverse employment opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Franziska Assion
- Section Clinical Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the Netherlands and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, The Netherlands
| | - Sander Begeer
- Section Clinical Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the Netherlands and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, The Netherlands
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19
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Vlasits AL, Syeda M, Wickman A, Guzman P, Schmidt TM. Atypical retinal function in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.15.585283. [PMID: 38559003 PMCID: PMC10980068 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.15.585283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Altered function of peripheral sensory neurons is an emerging mechanism for symptoms of autism spectrum disorders. Visual sensitivities are common in autism, but whether differences in the retina might underlie these sensitivities is not well-understood. We explored retinal function in the Fmr1 knockout model of Fragile X syndrome, focusing on a specific type of retinal neuron, the "sustained On alpha" retinal ganglion cell. We found that these cells exhibit changes in dendritic structure and dampened responses to light in the Fmr1 knockout. We show that decreased light sensitivity is due to increased inhibitory input and reduced E-I balance. The change in E-I balance supports maintenance of circuit excitability similar to what has been observed in cortex. These results show that loss of Fmr1 in the mouse retina affects sensory function of one retinal neuron type. Our findings suggest that the retina may be relevant for understanding visual function in Fragile X syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Vlasits
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
- Lead contact
| | - Maria Syeda
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Annelise Wickman
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Pedro Guzman
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Tiffany M Schmidt
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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20
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Oberman LM, Francis SM, Beynel L, Hynd M, Jaime M, Robins PL, Deng ZD, Stout J, van der Veen JW, Lisanby SH. Design and methodology for a proof of mechanism study of individualized neuronavigated continuous Theta burst stimulation for auditory processing in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1304528. [PMID: 38389984 PMCID: PMC10881663 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1304528] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that aberrant excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance and dysfunctional structure and function of relevant brain networks may underlie the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the nomological network linking these constructs to quantifiable measures and mechanistically relating these constructs to behavioral symptoms of ASD is lacking. Herein we describe a within-subject, controlled, proof-of-mechanism study investigating the pathophysiology of auditory/language processing in adolescents with ASD. We utilize neurophysiological and neuroimaging techniques including magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and magnetoencephalography (MEG) metrics of language network structure and function. Additionally, we apply a single, individually targeted session of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) as an experimental probe of the impact of perturbation of the system on these neurophysiological and neuroimaging outcomes. MRS, fMRI, and MEG measures are evaluated at baseline and immediately prior to and following cTBS over the posterior superior temporal cortex (pSTC), a region involved in auditory and language processing deficits in ASD. Also, behavioral measures of ASD and language processing and DWI measures of auditory/language network structures are obtained at baseline to characterize the relationship between the neuroimaging and neurophysiological measures and baseline symptom presentation. We hypothesize that local gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate concentrations (measured with MRS), and structural and functional activity and network connectivity (measured with DWI and fMRI), will significantly predict MEG indices of auditory/language processing and behavioral deficits in ASD. Furthermore, a single session of cTBS over left pSTC is hypothesized to lead to significant, acute changes in local glutamate and GABA concentration, functional activity and network connectivity, and MEG indices of auditory/language processing. We have completed the pilot phase of the study (n=20 Healthy Volunteer adults) and have begun enrollment for the main phase with adolescents with ASD (n=86; age 14-17). If successful, this study will establish a nomological network linking local E/I balance measures to functional and structural connectivity within relevant brain networks, ultimately connecting them to ASD symptoms. Furthermore, this study will inform future therapeutic trials using cTBS to treat the symptoms of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay M Oberman
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sunday M Francis
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lysianne Beynel
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Megan Hynd
- Clinical Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Miguel Jaime
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Pei L Robins
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Zhi-De Deng
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jeff Stout
- Magnetoencephalography Core, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jan Willem van der Veen
- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Core, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sarah H Lisanby
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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21
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Toutain M, Dollion N, Henry L, Grandgeorge M. How Do Children and Adolescents with ASD Look at Animals? A Scoping Review. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:211. [PMID: 38397322 PMCID: PMC10887101 DOI: 10.3390/children11020211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by interaction and communication differences, entailing visual attention skill specificities. Interactions with animals, such as in animal-assisted interventions or with service dogs, have been shown to be beneficial for individuals with ASD. While interacting with humans poses challenges for them, engaging with animals appears to be different. One hypothesis suggests that differences between individuals with ASD's visual attention to humans and to animals may contribute to these interaction differences. We propose a scoping review of the research on the visual attention to animals of youths with ASD. The objective is to review the methodologies and tools used to explore such questions, to summarize the main results, to explore which factors may contribute to the differences reported in the studies, and to deduce how youth with ASD observe animals. Utilizing strict inclusion criteria, we examined databases between 1942 and 2023, identifying 21 studies in international peer-reviewed journals. Three main themes were identified: attentional engagement and detection, visual exploration, and behavior. Collectively, our findings suggest that the visual attention of youths with ASD towards animals appears comparable to that of neurotypical peers, at least in 2D pictures (i.e., eye gaze patterns). Future studies should explore whether these results extend to real-life interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Toutain
- CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie Animale et Humaine)—UMR 6552, University Rennes, Normandie University, F-35000 Rennes, France; (L.H.); (M.G.)
| | - Nicolas Dollion
- Laboratoire C2S (Cognition Santé Société)—EA6291, Université Reims Champagne-Ardenne, F-51100 Reims, France;
| | - Laurence Henry
- CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie Animale et Humaine)—UMR 6552, University Rennes, Normandie University, F-35000 Rennes, France; (L.H.); (M.G.)
| | - Marine Grandgeorge
- CNRS, EthoS (Éthologie Animale et Humaine)—UMR 6552, University Rennes, Normandie University, F-35000 Rennes, France; (L.H.); (M.G.)
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22
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Dwyer P, Vukusic S, Williams ZJ, Saron CD, Rivera SM. "Neural Noise" in Auditory Responses in Young Autistic and Neurotypical Children. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:642-661. [PMID: 36434480 PMCID: PMC10209352 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05797-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Elevated "neural noise" has been advanced as an explanation of autism and autistic sensory experiences. However, functional neuroimaging measures of neural noise may be vulnerable to contamination by recording noise. This study explored variability of electrophysiological responses to tones of different intensities in 127 autistic and 79 typically-developing children aged 2-5 years old. A rigorous data processing pipeline, including advanced visualizations of different signal sources that were maximally independent across different time lags, was used to identify and eliminate putative recording noise. Inter-trial variability was measured using median absolute deviations (MADs) of EEG amplitudes across trials and inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC). ITPC was elevated in autism in the 50 and 60 dB intensity conditions, suggesting diminished (rather than elevated) neural noise in autism, although reduced ITPC to soft 50 dB sounds was associated with increased loudness discomfort. Autistic and non-autistic participants did not differ in MADs, and indeed, the vast majority of the statistical tests examined in this study yielded no significant effects. These results appear inconsistent with the neural noise account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Dwyer
- Department of Psychology, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
- Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA.
| | | | - Zachary J Williams
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Clifford D Saron
- Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Susan M Rivera
- Department of Psychology, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
- College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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23
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Ujiie Y, Takahashi K. Subjective Sensitivity to Exteroceptive and Interoceptive processing in Highly Sensitive Person. Psychol Rep 2024; 127:142-158. [PMID: 35962556 DOI: 10.1177/00332941221119403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A highly sensitive person is known to have greater levels of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) referring to a personality trait to exhibit high stimulation and arousal while processing subtle sensory signals. However, how SPS levels reflect the profile of sensitivity in exteroceptive and interoceptive sensory processing remains inadequately understood. Thus, we collected data using the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS), the Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire (GSQ), and the Body Perception Questionnaire-Short Form (BPQ-SF) from 600 Japanese adults, and examined their relationships. The results revealed that SPS levels, assessed by the HSPS, were significantly, positively correlated with hypersensitivity scores of the GSQ in several exteroceptive sensory domains. Further, SPS levels were positively correlated with sensitivity in interoceptive awareness assessed by the BPQ-SF; however, it does so scarcely. Our findings suggest that SPS levels reflect a subjective sensitivity to exteroceptive sensory processing regardless of sensory domains and narrowly to the interoceptive sensory processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Ujiie
- College of Contemporary Psychology, Rikkyo University, Saitama, Japan
- Research Organization of Open Innovation and Collaboration, Ritsumeikan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kohske Takahashi
- College of Comprehensive Psychology, Ritsumeikan University, Osaka, Japan
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Bogatova D, Smirnakis SM, Palagina G. Tug-of-Peace: Visual Rivalry and Atypical Visual Motion Processing in MECP2 Duplication Syndrome of Autism. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0102-23.2023. [PMID: 37940561 PMCID: PMC10792601 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0102-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracting common patterns of neural circuit computations in the autism spectrum and confirming them as a cause of specific core traits of autism is the first step toward identifying cell-level and circuit-level targets for effective clinical intervention. Studies in humans with autism have identified functional links and common anatomic substrates between core restricted behavioral repertoire, cognitive rigidity, and overstability of visual percepts during visual rivalry. To study these processes with single-cell precision and comprehensive neuronal population coverage, we developed the visual bistable perception paradigm for mice based on ambiguous moving plaid patterns consisting of two transparent gratings drifting at an angle of 120°. This results in spontaneous reversals of the perception between local component motion (plaid perceived as two separate moving grating components) and integrated global pattern motion (plaid perceived as a fused moving texture). This robust paradigm does not depend on the explicit report of the mouse, since the direction of the optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) is used to infer the dominant percept. Using this paradigm, we found that the rate of perceptual reversals between global and local motion interpretations is reduced in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 duplication syndrome (MECP2-ds) mouse model of autism. Moreover, the stability of local motion percepts is greatly increased in MECP2-ds mice at the expense of global motion percepts. Thus, our model reproduces a subclass of the core features in human autism (reduced rate of visual rivalry and atypical perception of visual motion). This further offers a well-controlled approach for dissecting neuronal circuits underlying these core features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Bogatova
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Stelios M Smirnakis
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Jamaica Plain Veterans Affairs Hospital, Boston, MA 02130
| | - Ganna Palagina
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Jamaica Plain Veterans Affairs Hospital, Boston, MA 02130
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25
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Perna J, Bellato A, Ganapathy PS, Solmi M, Zampieri A, Faraone SV, Cortese S. Association between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and vision problems. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:5011-5023. [PMID: 37495888 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02143-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
AIM To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing whether vision and/or eye disorders are associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). METHOD Based on a pre-registered protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42022328485), we searched PubMed, Web of Knowledge/Science, Ovid Medline, Embase and APA PsycINFO up to 5th February 2022, with no language/type of document restrictions. We included observational studies 1) reporting at least one measure of vision in people of any age with a diagnosis of ASD based on DSM or ICD criteria, or ADOS; or 2) reporting the prevalence of ASD in people with and without vision disorders. Study quality was assessed with the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS). Random-effects meta-analyses were used for data synthesis. RESULTS We included 49 studies in the narrative synthesis and 46 studies in the meta-analyses (15,629,159 individuals distributed across multiple different measures). We found meta-analytic evidence of increased prevalence of strabismus (OR = 4.72 [95% CI: 4.60, 4.85]) in people with versus those without ASD (non-significant heterogeneity: Q = 1.0545, p = 0.7881). We also found evidence of increased accommodation deficits (Hedge's g = 0.68 [CI: 0.28, 1.08]) (non-significant heterogeneity: Q = 6.9331, p = 0.0741), reduced peripheral vision (-0.82 [CI: -1.32, -0.33]) (non-significant heterogeneity: Q = 4.8075, p = 0.4398), reduced stereoacuity (0.73 [CI: -1.14, -0.31]) (non-significant heterogeneity: Q = 0.8974, p = 0.3435), increased color discrimination difficulties (0.69 [CI: 0.27,1.10]) (non-significant heterogeneity: Q = 9.9928, p = 0.1890), reduced contrast sensitivity (0.45 [CI: -0.60, -0.30]) (non-significant heterogeneity: Q = 9.9928, p = 0.1890) and increased retinal thickness (=0.29 [CI: 0.07, 0.51]) (non-significant heterogeneity: Q = 0.8113, p = 0.9918) in ASD. DISCUSSION ASD is associated with some self-reported and objectively measured functional vision problems, and structural alterations of the eye, even though we observed several methodological limitations in the individual studies included in our meta-analyses. Further research should clarify the causal relationship, if any, between ASD and problems of vision during early life. PROSPERO REGISTRATION CRD42022328485.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Perna
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Norton College of Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alessio Bellato
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Preethi S Ganapathy
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Norton College of Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Marco Solmi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- On Track: The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) Clinical Epidemiology Program University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Zampieri
- Vittorio Emanuele III Hospital - Montecchio Maggiore, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Stephen V Faraone
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Norton College of Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
| | - Samuele Cortese
- Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Solent NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences (CNS and Psychiatry), Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, New York University Child Study Center, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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26
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Bhaskaran AA, Gauvrit T, Vyas Y, Bony G, Ginger M, Frick A. Endogenous noise of neocortical neurons correlates with atypical sensory response variability in the Fmr1 -/y mouse model of autism. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7905. [PMID: 38036566 PMCID: PMC10689491 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43777-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive neural variability of sensory responses is a hallmark of atypical sensory processing in autistic individuals with cascading effects on other core autism symptoms but unknown neurobiological substrate. Here, by recording neocortical single neuron activity in a well-established mouse model of Fragile X syndrome and autism, we characterized atypical sensory processing and probed the role of endogenous noise sources in exaggerated response variability in males. The analysis of sensory stimulus evoked activity and spontaneous dynamics, as well as neuronal features, reveals a complex cellular and network phenotype. Neocortical sensory information processing is more variable and temporally imprecise. Increased trial-by-trial and inter-neuronal response variability is strongly related to key endogenous noise features, and may give rise to behavioural sensory responsiveness variability in autism. We provide a novel preclinical framework for understanding the sources of endogenous noise and its contribution to core autism symptoms, and for testing the functional consequences for mechanism-based manipulation of noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun A Bhaskaran
- INSERM, U1215 Neurocentre Magendie, 33077, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
- Department of Psychiatry, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Théo Gauvrit
- INSERM, U1215 Neurocentre Magendie, 33077, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Yukti Vyas
- INSERM, U1215 Neurocentre Magendie, 33077, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Guillaume Bony
- INSERM, U1215 Neurocentre Magendie, 33077, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Melanie Ginger
- INSERM, U1215 Neurocentre Magendie, 33077, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Andreas Frick
- INSERM, U1215 Neurocentre Magendie, 33077, Bordeaux, France.
- University of Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France.
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27
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Kuruppath P, Xue L, Pouille F, Jones ST, Schoppa NE. Hyperexcitability in the Olfactory Bulb and Impaired Fine Odor Discrimination in the Fmr1 KO Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome. J Neurosci 2023; 43:8243-8258. [PMID: 37788940 PMCID: PMC10697393 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0584-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the single most common monogenetic cause of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in humans. FXS is caused by loss of expression of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an mRNA-binding protein encoded on the X chromosome involved in suppressing protein translation. Sensory processing deficits have been a major focus of studies of FXS in both humans and rodent models of FXS, but olfactory deficits remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted experiments in wild-type (WT) and Fmr1 knock-out (KO; Fmr1-/y ) mice (males) that lack expression of the gene encoding FMRP to assess olfactory circuit and behavioral abnormalities. In patch-clamp recordings conducted in slices of the olfactory bulb, output mitral cells (MCs) in Fmr1 KO mice displayed greatly enhanced excitation under baseline conditions, as evidenced by a much higher rate of occurrence of spontaneous network-level events known as long-lasting depolarizations (LLDs). The higher probability of spontaneous LLDs (sLLDs), which appeared to be because of a decrease in GABAergic synaptic inhibition in glomeruli leading to more feedforward excitation, caused a reduction in the reliability of stimulation-evoked responses in MCs. In addition, in a go/no-go operant discrimination paradigm, we found that Fmr1 KO mice displayed impaired discrimination of odors in difficult tasks that involved odor mixtures but not altered discrimination of monomolecular odors. We suggest that the Fmr1 KO-induced reduction in MC response reliability is one plausible mechanism for the impaired fine odor discrimination.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Fragile X syndrome (FXS) in humans is associated with a range of debilitating deficits including aberrant sensory processing. One sensory system that has received comparatively little attention in studies in animal models of FXS is olfaction. Here, we report the first comprehensive physiological analysis of circuit defects in the olfactory bulb in the commonly-used Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mouse model of FXS. Our studies indicate that Fmr1 KO alters the local excitation/inhibition balance in the bulb, similar to what Fmr1 KO does in other brain circuits, but through a novel mechanism that involves enhanced feedforward excitation. Furthermore, Fmr1 KO mice display behavioral impairments in fine odor discrimination, an effect that may be explained by changes in neural response reliability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Kuruppath
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
| | - Lin Xue
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
| | - Frederic Pouille
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
| | - Shelly T Jones
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
| | - Nathan E Schoppa
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
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28
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Ma X, Zhou W, Zheng H, Ye S, Yang B, Wang L, Wang M, Dong GH. Connectome-based prediction of the severity of autism spectrum disorder. PSYCHORADIOLOGY 2023; 3:kkad027. [PMID: 38666105 PMCID: PMC10917386 DOI: 10.1093/psyrad/kkad027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social and behavioural deficits. Current diagnosis relies on behavioural criteria, but machine learning, particularly connectome-based predictive modelling (CPM), offers the potential to uncover neural biomarkers for ASD. Objective This study aims to predict the severity of ASD traits using CPM and explores differences among ASD subtypes, seeking to enhance diagnosis and understanding of ASD. Methods Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 151 ASD patients were used in the model. CPM with leave-one-out cross-validation was conducted to identify intrinsic neural networks that predict Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scores. After the model was constructed, it was applied to independent samples to test its replicability (172 ASD patients) and specificity (36 healthy control participants). Furthermore, we examined the predictive model across different aspects of ASD and in subtypes of ASD to understand the potential mechanisms underlying the results. Results The CPM successfully identified negative networks that significantly predicted ADOS total scores [r (df = 150) = 0.19, P = 0.008 in all patients; r (df = 104) = 0.20, P = 0.040 in classic autism] and communication scores [r (df = 150) = 0.22, P = 0.010 in all patients; r (df = 104) = 0.21, P = 0.020 in classic autism]. These results were reproducible across independent databases. The networks were characterized by enhanced inter- and intranetwork connectivity associated with the occipital network (OCC), and the sensorimotor network (SMN) also played important roles. Conclusions A CPM based on whole-brain resting-state functional connectivity can predicted the severity of ASD. Large-scale networks, including the OCC and SMN, played important roles in the predictive model. These findings may provide new directions for the diagnosis and intervention of ASD, and maybe could be the targets in novel interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Ma
- Department of Psychology, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, Yunnan Province 650500, China
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 311121, China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 311121, China
- Institutes of Psychological Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 311121, China
| | - Weiran Zhou
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 311121, China
- Institutes of Psychological Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 311121, China
| | - Hui Zheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Shuer Ye
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Centre for Neural Computation, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Bo Yang
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 311121, China
- Institutes of Psychological Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 311121, China
| | - Lingxiao Wang
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 311121, China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 311121, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Psychology, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, Yunnan Province 650500, China
| | - Guang-Heng Dong
- Department of Psychology, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, Yunnan Province 650500, China
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29
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Kamensek T, Susilo T, Iarocci G, Oruc I. Are people with autism prosopagnosic? Autism Res 2023; 16:2100-2109. [PMID: 37740564 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Difficulties in various face processing tasks have been well documented in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several meta-analyses and numerous case-control studies have indicated that this population experiences a moderate degree of impairment, with a small percentage of studies failing to detect any impairment. One possible account of this mixed pattern of findings is heterogeneity in face processing abilities stemming from the presence of a subpopulation of prosopagnosic individuals with ASD alongside those with normal face processing skills. Samples randomly drawn from such a population, especially relatively smaller ones, would vary in the proportion of participants with prosopagnosia, resulting in a wide range of group-level deficits from mild (or none) to severe across studies. We test this prosopagnosic subpopulation hypothesis by examining three groups of participants: adults with ASD, adults with developmental prosopagnosia (DP), and a comparison group. Our results show that the prosopagnosic subpopulation hypothesis does not account for the face impairments in the broader autism spectrum. ASD observers show a continuous and graded, rather than categorical, heterogeneity that span a range of face processing skills including many with mild to moderate deficits, inconsistent with a prosopagnosic subtype account. We suggest that pathogenic origins of face deficits for at least some with ASD differ from those of DP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd Kamensek
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tirta Susilo
- School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Grace Iarocci
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ipek Oruc
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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30
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Bertacchini F, Demarco F, Scuro C, Pantano P, Bilotta E. A social robot connected with chatGPT to improve cognitive functioning in ASD subjects. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1232177. [PMID: 37868599 PMCID: PMC10585023 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1232177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) represent a significant healthcare and economic burden for families and society. Technology, including AI and digital technologies, offers potential solutions for the assessment, monitoring, and treatment of NDDs. However, further research is needed to determine the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of these technologies in NDDs, and to address the challenges associated with their implementation. In this work, we present the application of social robotics using a Pepper robot connected to the OpenAI system (Chat-GPT) for real-time dialogue initiation with the robot. After describing the general architecture of the system, we present two possible simulated interaction scenarios of a subject with Autism Spectrum Disorder in two different situations. Limitations and future implementations are also provided to provide an overview of the potential developments of interconnected systems that could greatly contribute to technological advancements for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bertacchini
- Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
- Laboratory of Cognitive Psychology and Mathematical Modelling, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Francesco Demarco
- Laboratory of Cognitive Psychology and Mathematical Modelling, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Carmelo Scuro
- Laboratory of Cognitive Psychology and Mathematical Modelling, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Pietro Pantano
- Laboratory of Cognitive Psychology and Mathematical Modelling, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Eleonora Bilotta
- Laboratory of Cognitive Psychology and Mathematical Modelling, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
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31
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Baker DH, Marinova D, Aveyard R, Hargreaves LJ, Renton A, Castellani R, Hall P, Harmens M, Holroyd G, Nicholson B, Williams EL, Hobson HM, Wade AR. Temporal dynamics of normalization reweighting. J Vis 2023; 23:6. [PMID: 37862008 PMCID: PMC10615141 DOI: 10.1167/jov.23.12.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
For decades, neural suppression in early visual cortex has been thought to be fixed. But recent work has challenged this assumption by showing that suppression can be reweighted based on recent history; when pairs of stimuli are repeatedly presented together, suppression between them strengthens. Here we investigate the temporal dynamics of this process using a steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) paradigm that provides a time-resolved, direct index of suppression between pairs of stimuli flickering at different frequencies (5 and 7 Hz). Our initial analysis of an existing electroencephalography (EEG) dataset (N = 100) indicated that suppression increases substantially during the first 2-5 seconds of stimulus presentation (with some variation across stimulation frequency). We then collected new EEG data (N = 100) replicating this finding for both monocular and dichoptic mask arrangements in a preregistered study designed to measure reweighting. A third experiment (N = 20) used source-localized magnetoencephalography and found that these effects are apparent in primary visual cortex (V1), consistent with results from neurophysiological work. Because long-standing theories propose inhibition/excitation differences in autism, we also compared reweighting between individuals with high versus low autistic traits, and with and without an autism diagnosis, across our three datasets (total N = 220). We find no compelling differences in reweighting that are associated with autism. Our results support the normalization reweighting model and indicate that for prolonged stimulation, increases in suppression occur on the order of 2-5 seconds after stimulus onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel H Baker
- Department of Psychology and York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
| | | | | | | | - Alice Renton
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK
| | | | - Phoebe Hall
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Hannah M Hobson
- Department of Psychology and York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
| | - Alex R Wade
- Department of Psychology and York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
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32
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Wang HC, Feldman DE. Degraded tactile coding in the Cntnap2 mouse model of autism. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.29.560240. [PMID: 37808857 PMCID: PMC10557772 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.29.560240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Atypical sensory processing in autism involves altered neural circuit function and neural coding in sensory cortex, but the nature of coding disruption is poorly understood. We characterized neural coding in L2/3 of whisker somatosensory cortex (S1) of Cntnap2-/- mice, an autism model with pronounced hypofunction of parvalbumin (PV) inhibitory circuits. We tested for both excess spiking, which is often hypothesized in autism models with reduced inhibition, and alterations in somatotopic coding, using c-fos immunostaining and 2-photon calcium imaging in awake mice. In Cntnap2-/- mice, c-fos-(+) neuron density was elevated in L2/3 of S1 under spontaneous activity conditions, but comparable to control mice after whisker stimulation, suggesting that sensory-evoked spiking was relatively normal. 2-photon GCaMP8m imaging in L2/3 pyramidal cells revealed no increase in whisker-evoked response magnitude, but instead showed multiple signs of degraded somatotopic coding. These included broadening of whisker tuning curves, blurring of the whisker map, and blunting of the point representation of each whisker. These altered properties were more pronounced in noisy than sparse sensory conditions. Tuning instability, assessed over 2-3 weeks of longitudinal imaging, was also significantly increased in Cntnap2-/- mice. Thus, Cntnap2-/- mice show no excess spiking, but a degraded and unstable tactile code in S1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Chin Wang
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Daniel E. Feldman
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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33
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Monday HR, Wang HC, Feldman DE. Circuit-level theories for sensory dysfunction in autism: convergence across mouse models. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1254297. [PMID: 37745660 PMCID: PMC10513044 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1254297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit a diverse range of behavioral features and genetic backgrounds, but whether different genetic forms of autism involve convergent pathophysiology of brain function is unknown. Here, we analyze evidence for convergent deficits in neural circuit function across multiple transgenic mouse models of ASD. We focus on sensory areas of neocortex, where circuit differences may underlie atypical sensory processing, a central feature of autism. Many distinct circuit-level theories for ASD have been proposed, including increased excitation-inhibition (E-I) ratio and hyperexcitability, hypofunction of parvalbumin (PV) interneuron circuits, impaired homeostatic plasticity, degraded sensory coding, and others. We review these theories and assess the degree of convergence across ASD mouse models for each. Behaviorally, our analysis reveals that innate sensory detection behavior is heightened and sensory discrimination behavior is impaired across many ASD models. Neurophysiologically, PV hypofunction and increased E-I ratio are prevalent but only rarely generate hyperexcitability and excess spiking. Instead, sensory tuning and other aspects of neural coding are commonly degraded and may explain impaired discrimination behavior. Two distinct phenotypic clusters with opposing neural circuit signatures are evident across mouse models. Such clustering could suggest physiological subtypes of autism, which may facilitate the development of tailored therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R. Monday
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | | | - Daniel E. Feldman
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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34
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Schroeger A, Ficco L, Wuttke SJ, Kaufmann JM, Schweinberger SR. Differences between high and low performers in face recognition in electrophysiological correlates of face familiarity and distance-to-norm. Biol Psychol 2023; 182:108654. [PMID: 37549807 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Valentine's influential norm-based multidimensional face-space model (nMDFS) predicts that perceived distinctiveness of a face increases with its distance to the norm. Occipito-temporal event-related potentials (ERPs) have been recently shown to respond selectively to variations in distance-to-norm (P200) or familiarity (N250, late negativity), respectively (Wuttke & Schweinberger, 2019). Despite growing evidence on interindividual differences in face perception skills at the behavioral level, little research has focused on their electrophysiological correlates. To reveal potential interindividual differences in face spaces, we contrasted high and low performers in face recognition in regards to distance-to-norm (P200) and familiarity (N250). We replicated both the P200 distance-to-norm and the N250 familiarity effect. Importantly, we observed: i) reduced responses in low compared to high performers of face recognition, especially in terms of smaller distance-to-norm effects in the P200, possibly indicating less 'expanded' face spaces in low compared to high performers; ii) increased N250 responses to familiar original faces in high performers, suggesting more robust face identity representations. In summary, these findings suggest the contribution of both early norm-based face coding and robust face representations to individual face recognition skills, and indicate that ERPs can offer a promising route to understand individual differences in face perception and their neurocognitive correlates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Schroeger
- Department of General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany; Department for the Psychology of Human Movement and Sport, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany; Department of Experimental Psychology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany.
| | - Linda Ficco
- Department of General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany; International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for the Science of Human History, Max-Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, Jena, Germany.
| | - Stella J Wuttke
- Department of General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany; Infinite Potential Institute, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Jürgen M Kaufmann
- Department of General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan R Schweinberger
- Department of General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany; International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for the Science of Human History, Max-Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, Jena, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Site Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany
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35
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Williams ZJ, Schaaf R, Ausderau KK, Baranek GT, Barrett DJ, Cascio CJ, Dumont RL, Eyoh EE, Failla MD, Feldman JI, Foss-Feig JH, Green HL, Green SA, He JL, Kaplan-Kahn EA, Keçeli-Kaysılı B, MacLennan K, Mailloux Z, Marco EJ, Mash LE, McKernan EP, Molholm S, Mostofsky SH, Puts NAJ, Robertson CE, Russo N, Shea N, Sideris J, Sutcliffe JS, Tavassoli T, Wallace MT, Wodka EL, Woynaroski TG. Examining the latent structure and correlates of sensory reactivity in autism: a multi-site integrative data analysis by the autism sensory research consortium. Mol Autism 2023; 14:31. [PMID: 37635263 PMCID: PMC10464466 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00563-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Differences in responding to sensory stimuli, including sensory hyperreactivity (HYPER), hyporeactivity (HYPO), and sensory seeking (SEEK) have been observed in autistic individuals across sensory modalities, but few studies have examined the structure of these "supra-modal" traits in the autistic population. METHODS Leveraging a combined sample of 3868 autistic youth drawn from 12 distinct data sources (ages 3-18 years and representing the full range of cognitive ability), the current study used modern psychometric and meta-analytic techniques to interrogate the latent structure and correlates of caregiver-reported HYPER, HYPO, and SEEK within and across sensory modalities. Bifactor statistical indices were used to both evaluate the strength of a "general response pattern" factor for each supra-modal construct and determine the added value of "modality-specific response pattern" scores (e.g., Visual HYPER). Bayesian random-effects integrative data analysis models were used to examine the clinical and demographic correlates of all interpretable HYPER, HYPO, and SEEK (sub)constructs. RESULTS All modality-specific HYPER subconstructs could be reliably and validly measured, whereas certain modality-specific HYPO and SEEK subconstructs were psychometrically inadequate when measured using existing items. Bifactor analyses supported the validity of a supra-modal HYPER construct (ωH = .800) but not a supra-modal HYPO construct (ωH = .653), and supra-modal SEEK models suggested a more limited version of the construct that excluded some sensory modalities (ωH = .800; 4/7 modalities). Modality-specific subscales demonstrated significant added value for all response patterns. Meta-analytic correlations varied by construct, although sensory features tended to correlate most with other domains of core autism features and co-occurring psychiatric symptoms (with general HYPER and speech HYPO demonstrating the largest numbers of practically significant correlations). LIMITATIONS Conclusions may not be generalizable beyond the specific pool of items used in the current study, which was limited to caregiver report of observable behaviors and excluded multisensory items that reflect many "real-world" sensory experiences. CONCLUSION Of the three sensory response patterns, only HYPER demonstrated sufficient evidence for valid interpretation at the supra-modal level, whereas supra-modal HYPO/SEEK constructs demonstrated substantial psychometric limitations. For clinicians and researchers seeking to characterize sensory reactivity in autism, modality-specific response pattern scores may represent viable alternatives that overcome many of these limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J Williams
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1215 21st Avenue South, Medical Center East, South Tower, Room 8310, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Roseann Schaaf
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Jefferson Autism Center of Excellence, Farber Institute of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karla K Ausderau
- Department of Kinesiology, Occupational Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Grace T Baranek
- Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - D Jonah Barrett
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Carissa J Cascio
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Rachel L Dumont
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ekomobong E Eyoh
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Jacob I Feldman
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1215 21st Avenue South, Medical Center East, South Tower, Room 8310, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jennifer H Foss-Feig
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Heather L Green
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shulamite A Green
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jason L He
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth A Kaplan-Kahn
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bahar Keçeli-Kaysılı
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1215 21st Avenue South, Medical Center East, South Tower, Room 8310, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Keren MacLennan
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Zoe Mailloux
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elysa J Marco
- Department of Neurodevelopmental Medicine, Cortica Healthcare, San Rafael, CA, USA
| | - Lisa E Mash
- Division of Psychology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Elizabeth P McKernan
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sophie Molholm
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Rose F. Kennedy Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Stewart H Mostofsky
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicolaas A J Puts
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Caroline E Robertson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Natalie Russo
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Nicole Shea
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- Division of Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Kaleida Health, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - John Sideris
- Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - James S Sutcliffe
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Teresa Tavassoli
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Mark T Wallace
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ericka L Wodka
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tiffany G Woynaroski
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1215 21st Avenue South, Medical Center East, South Tower, Room 8310, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
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Thérien VD, Degré-Pelletier J, Barbeau EB, Samson F, Soulières I. Different levels of visuospatial abilities linked to differential brain correlates underlying visual mental segmentation processes in autism. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:9186-9211. [PMID: 37317036 PMCID: PMC10350832 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The neural underpinnings of enhanced locally oriented visual processing that are specific to autistics with a Wechsler's Block Design (BD) peak are largely unknown. Here, we investigated the brain correlates underlying visual segmentation associated with the well-established autistic superior visuospatial abilities in distinct subgroups using functional magnetic resonance imaging. This study included 31 male autistic adults (15 with (AUTp) and 16 without (AUTnp) a BD peak) and 28 male adults with typical development (TYP). Participants completed a computerized adapted BD task with models having low and high perceptual cohesiveness (PC). Despite similar behavioral performances, AUTp and AUTnp showed generally higher occipital activation compared with TYP participants. Compared with both AUTnp and TYP participants, the AUTp group showed enhanced task-related functional connectivity within posterior visuoperceptual regions and decreased functional connectivity between frontal and occipital-temporal regions. A diminished modulation in frontal and parietal regions in response to increased PC was also found in AUTp participants, suggesting heavier reliance on low-level processing of global figures. This study demonstrates that enhanced visual functioning is specific to a cognitive phenotypic subgroup of autistics with superior visuospatial abilities and reinforces the need to address autistic heterogeneity by good cognitive characterization of samples in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Véronique D Thérien
- Laboratory on Intelligence and Development in Autism, Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
- Montreal Cognitive Neuroscience Autism Research Group, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montreal, 7070, Boulevard Perras, Montréal (Québec) H1E 1A4, Canada
| | - Janie Degré-Pelletier
- Laboratory on Intelligence and Development in Autism, Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
- Montreal Cognitive Neuroscience Autism Research Group, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montreal, 7070, Boulevard Perras, Montréal (Québec) H1E 1A4, Canada
| | - Elise B Barbeau
- Laboratory on Intelligence and Development in Autism, Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Fabienne Samson
- Laboratory on Intelligence and Development in Autism, Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Isabelle Soulières
- Laboratory on Intelligence and Development in Autism, Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
- Montreal Cognitive Neuroscience Autism Research Group, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montreal, 7070, Boulevard Perras, Montréal (Québec) H1E 1A4, Canada
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37
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Sapey-Triomphe LA, Dierckx J, Vettori S, van Overwalle J, Wagemans J. A multilevel investigation of sensory sensitivity and responsivity in autistic adults. Autism Res 2023; 16:1299-1320. [PMID: 37272695 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Atypical sensory processing is a core symptom of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We aimed at better characterizing visual sensitivity and responsivity in ASD at the self-reported, behavioral and neural levels, and at describing the relationships between these levels. We refer to sensory sensitivity as the ability to detect sensory stimuli and to sensory responsivity as an affective response to sensory stimuli. Participants were 25 neurotypical and 24 autistic adults. At the self-reported level, autistic participants had higher scores of sensory sensitivity and responsivity than neurotypicals. The behavioral and neural tasks involved contrast-reversing gratings which became progressively (in)visible as their contrast or spatial frequency evolved. At the behavioral level, autistic participants had higher detection and responsivity thresholds when gratings varied in spatial frequency, but their thresholds did not differ from neurotypicals when gratings varied in contrast. At the neural level, we used fast periodic visual stimulations and electroencephalography to implicitly assess detection thresholds for contrast and spatial frequency, and did not reveal any group difference. Higher self-reported responsivity was associated with higher behavioral responsivity, more intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety, in particular in ASD. At the self-reported level, higher sensitivity was associated with more responsivity in both groups, contrary to the behavioral level where these relationships were not found. These heterogeneous results suggest that sensitivity and responsivity per se are not simply increased in ASD, but may be modulated by other factors such as environmental predictability. Multi-level approaches can shed light on the mechanisms underlying sensory issues in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie-Anne Sapey-Triomphe
- Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joke Dierckx
- Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sofie Vettori
- Institut des Sciences Cognitives - Marc Jeannerod UMR5229, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique & Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Bron, France
| | - Jaana van Overwalle
- Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Wagemans
- Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Noel JP, Angelaki DE. A theory of autism bridging across levels of description. Trends Cogn Sci 2023; 27:631-641. [PMID: 37183143 PMCID: PMC10330321 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2023.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Autism impacts a wide range of behaviors and neural functions. As such, theories of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are numerous and span different levels of description, from neurocognitive to molecular. We propose how existent behavioral, computational, algorithmic, and neural accounts of ASD may relate to one another. Specifically, we argue that ASD may be cast as a disorder of causal inference (computational level). This computation relies on marginalization, which is thought to be subserved by divisive normalization (algorithmic level). In turn, divisive normalization may be impaired by excitatory-to-inhibitory imbalances (neural implementation level). We also discuss ASD within similar frameworks, those of predictive coding and circular inference. Together, we hope to motivate work unifying the different accounts of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Paul Noel
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Dora E Angelaki
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA; Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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39
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Zeisel A, Thiel T, Gaigg SB, Roessner V, Ring M. Validation of the German Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire and replication of sensory processing differences in students with higher and lower Autism-Spectrum Quotient. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:426. [PMID: 37316778 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04903-9] [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: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire (GSQ) gives insight into sensory processing differences (hypo- and hyper-sensitivity across modalities), which is a clinically defining characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Because there is no validated German version of this instrument, this study aimed at validating the German GSQ. Further, a replication of the GSQ's sensory processing differences was intended. METHODS University students of Technische Universität or Universitätsklinikum in Dresden, Germany, were recruited via email distribution or the university homepage and 297 German-speaking students completed the online survey, comprising the German GSQ, Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and Symptom-Checklist (SCL-90). For validation of the German GSQ, confirmatory factor analyses followed by exploratory factor analyses were applied. RESULTS The German GSQ has moderate to low validity, good to acceptable reliability, and a different internal structure from the original GSQ. Replicating the sensory processing differences in students with higher and lower AQ was not successful. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that the GSQ, developed especially for individuals with ASD, is less informative for the general population if there are not enough individuals with higher AQ scores in the sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalena Zeisel
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und -psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tobias Thiel
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und -psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sebastian B Gaigg
- Autism Research Group, Department of Psychology, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Veit Roessner
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und -psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Melanie Ring
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und -psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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Yue X, Shen Y, Li Y, Zhang G, Li X, Wei W, Bai Y, Shang Y, Xie J, Luo Z, Wang X, Zhang X, Wang M. Regional Dynamic Neuroimaging Changes of Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neuroscience 2023:S0306-4522(23)00182-3. [PMID: 37270101 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.04.016] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Most neuroimaging studies investigating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have focused on static brain function, but ignored the dynamic features of spontaneous brain activities in the temporal dimension. Research of dynamic brain regional activities might help to fully investigate the mechanisms of ASD patients. This study aimed to examine potential changes in the dynamic characteristics of regional neural activities in adult ASD patients and to detect whether the changes were associated with Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scores. Resting-state functional MRI was obtained on 77 adult ASD patients and 76 healthy controls. The dynamic regional homogeneity (dReHo) and dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (dALFF) were compared between the two groups. Correlation analyses were also performed between dReHo and dALFF in areas showing group differences and ADOS scores. In ASD group, significant differences in dReHo were observed in the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG.L). Besides, we found increased dALFF in the left middle occipital gyrus (MOG.L), left superior parietal gyrus (SPG.L), left precuneus (PCUN.L), left inferior temporal gyrus (ITG.L), and right inferior frontal gyrus, orbital part (ORBinf.R). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between dALFF in the PCUN.L and the ADOS_TOTAL scores, ADOS_SOCIAL scores; the dALFF in the ITG.L, SPG.L was positively associated with ADOS_SOCIAL scores. In conclusion, adults with ASD have a wide area of dynamic regional brain function abnormalities. These suggested that dynamic regional indexes might be used as a powerful measure to help us obtain a more comprehensive understanding of neural activity in adult ASD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xipeng Yue
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital & Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yu Shen
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital & Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital & Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; Xinxiang Medical University & Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou & Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital & Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaochen Li
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital & Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital & Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yan Bai
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital & Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yue Shang
- UCLA Health, State of California, USA
| | - Jiapei Xie
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital & Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhi Luo
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital & Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinhui Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital & Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | | | - Meiyun Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital & Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; Laboratory of Brain Science and Brain-Like Intelligence Technology, Institute for Integrated Medical Science and Engineering, Henan Academy of Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
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Leisman G, Melillo R, Melillo T. Prefrontal Functional Connectivities in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Connectopathic Disorder Affecting Movement, Interoception, and Cognition. Brain Res Bull 2023; 198:65-76. [PMID: 37087061 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex is included in a neuronal system that includes the basal ganglia, the thalamus, and the cerebellum. Most of the higher and more complex motor, cognitive, and emotional behavioral functions are thought to be found primarily in the frontal lobes. Insufficient connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and other regions of the brain that are distant from each other involved in top-down information processing rely on the global integration of data from multiple input sources and enhance low level perception processes (bottom-up information processing). The reduced deactivation in mPFC and in the rest of the Default Network during global task processing is consistent with the integrative modulatory role served by the mPFC. We stress the importance of understanding the degree to which sensory and movement anomalies in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can contribute to social impairment. Further investigation on the neurobiological basis of sensory symptoms and its relationship to other clinical features found in ASD is required Treatment perhaps should not be first behaviorally based but rather based on facilitating sensory motor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerry Leisman
- Movement and Cognition Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel; University of the Medical Sciences of Havana, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Havana, Cuba.
| | - Robert Melillo
- Movement and Cognition Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ty Melillo
- Northeast College of the Health Sciencs, Seneca Falls, NY USA
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Kyriacou C, Forrester-Jones R, Triantafyllopoulou P. Clothes, Sensory Experiences and Autism: Is Wearing the Right Fabric Important? J Autism Dev Disord 2023. [PMID: 34287735 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05140-] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Tactile defensiveness in autistic individuals is the least investigated sensory modality. The current multi-component, explorative study aimed to understand the experiences of ten autistic adults regarding tactile defensiveness and fabrics, using semi-structured, one-to-one interviews. Participants were asked to discuss the effects of seven provided samples of fabrics and were also asked to bring their 'favourite' fabric (s) and express their thoughts about their choices. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Content Analysis, the findings showed that some fabrics can impact individuals' reported wellbeing. Participants' experiences with several stimuli appeared to have helped them implement coping strategies. By understanding tactile defensiveness, society could move towards increasing autism-friendly approaches with appropriate fabrics. Recommendations for future research, policy and practice are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysovalanto Kyriacou
- Tizard Centre, School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK
| | - Rachel Forrester-Jones
- Department of Social and Policy Sciences, Centre of Analysis of Social Policy, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Paraskevi Triantafyllopoulou
- Tizard Centre, School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK.
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Knight EJ, Freedman EG, Myers EJ, Berruti AS, Oakes LA, Cao CZ, Molholm S, Foxe JJ. Severely Attenuated Visual Feedback Processing in Children on the Autism Spectrum. J Neurosci 2023; 43:2424-2438. [PMID: 36859306 PMCID: PMC10072299 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1192-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals on the autism spectrum often exhibit atypicality in their sensory perception, but the neural underpinnings of these perceptual differences remain incompletely understood. One proposed mechanism is an imbalance in higher-order feedback re-entrant inputs to early sensory cortices during sensory perception, leading to increased propensity to focus on local object features over global context. We explored this theory by measuring visual evoked potentials during contour integration as considerable work has revealed that these processes are largely driven by feedback inputs from higher-order ventral visual stream regions. We tested the hypothesis that autistic individuals would have attenuated evoked responses to illusory contours compared with neurotypical controls. Electrophysiology was acquired while 29 autistic and 31 neurotypical children (7-17 years old, inclusive of both males and females) passively viewed a random series of Kanizsa figure stimuli, each consisting of four inducers that were aligned either at random rotational angles or such that contour integration would form an illusory square. Autistic children demonstrated attenuated automatic contour integration over lateral occipital regions relative to neurotypical controls. The data are discussed in terms of the role of predictive feedback processes on perception of global stimulus features and the notion that weakened "priors" may play a role in the visual processing anomalies seen in autism.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Children on the autism spectrum differ from typically developing children in many aspects of their processing of sensory stimuli. One proposed mechanism for these differences is an imbalance in higher-order feedback to primary sensory regions, leading to an increased focus on local object features rather than global context. However, systematic investigation of these feedback mechanisms remains limited. Using EEG and a visual illusion paradigm that is highly dependent on intact feedback processing, we demonstrated significant disruptions to visual feedback processing in children with autism. This provides much needed experimental evidence that advances our understanding of the contribution of feedback processing to visual perception in autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Knight
- Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
- Development and Behavioral Pediatrics, Golisano Children's Hospital, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Edward G Freedman
- Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Evan J Myers
- Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Alaina S Berruti
- Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - Leona A Oakes
- Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
- Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - Cody Zhewei Cao
- Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Sophie Molholm
- Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - John J Foxe
- Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
- Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
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Soda T, Ahmadi A, Tani J, Honda M, Hanakawa T, Yamashita Y. Simulating developmental diversity: Impact of neural stochasticity on atypical flexibility and hierarchy. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1080668. [PMID: 37009124 PMCID: PMC10050443 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1080668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Investigating the pathological mechanisms of developmental disorders is a challenge because the symptoms are a result of complex and dynamic factors such as neural networks, cognitive behavior, environment, and developmental learning. Recently, computational methods have started to provide a unified framework for understanding developmental disorders, enabling us to describe the interactions among those multiple factors underlying symptoms. However, this approach is still limited because most studies to date have focused on cross-sectional task performance and lacked the perspectives of developmental learning. Here, we proposed a new research method for understanding the mechanisms of the acquisition and its failures in hierarchical Bayesian representations using a state-of-the-art computational model, referred to as in silico neurodevelopment framework for atypical representation learning. Methods Simple simulation experiments were conducted using the proposed framework to examine whether manipulating the neural stochasticity and noise levels in external environments during the learning process can lead to the altered acquisition of hierarchical Bayesian representation and reduced flexibility. Results Networks with normal neural stochasticity acquired hierarchical representations that reflected the underlying probabilistic structures in the environment, including higher-order representation, and exhibited good behavioral and cognitive flexibility. When the neural stochasticity was high during learning, top-down generation using higher-order representation became atypical, although the flexibility did not differ from that of the normal stochasticity settings. However, when the neural stochasticity was low in the learning process, the networks demonstrated reduced flexibility and altered hierarchical representation. Notably, this altered acquisition of higher-order representation and flexibility was ameliorated by increasing the level of noises in external stimuli. Discussion These results demonstrated that the proposed method assists in modeling developmental disorders by bridging between multiple factors, such as the inherent characteristics of neural dynamics, acquisitions of hierarchical representation, flexible behavior, and external environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takafumi Soda
- Department of Information Medicine, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
- Department of NCNP Brain Physiology and Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Jun Tani
- Cognitive Neurorobotics Research Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Manabu Honda
- Department of Information Medicine, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Takashi Hanakawa
- Integrated Neuroanatomy and Neuroimaging, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuichi Yamashita
- Department of Information Medicine, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
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Zhu SI, McCullough MH, Pujic Z, Sibberas J, Sun B, Darveniza T, Bucknall B, Avitan L, Goodhill GJ. fmr1 Mutation Alters the Early Development of Sensory Coding and Hunting and Social Behaviors in Larval Zebrafish. J Neurosci 2023; 43:1211-1224. [PMID: 36596699 PMCID: PMC9962781 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1721-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are developmental in origin; however, little is known about how they affect the early development of behavior and sensory coding. The most common inherited form of autism is Fragile X syndrome (FXS), caused by a mutation in FMR1 Mutation of fmr1 in zebrafish causes anxiety-like behavior, hyperactivity, and hypersensitivity in auditory and visual processing. Here, we show that zebrafish fmr1-/- mutant larvae of either sex also display changes in hunting behavior, tectal coding, and social interaction. During hunting, they were less successful at catching prey and displayed altered behavioral sequences. In the tectum, representations of prey-like stimuli were more diffuse and had higher dimensionality. In a social behavioral assay, they spent more time observing a conspecific but responded more slowly to social cues. However, when given a choice of rearing environment fmr1-/- larvae preferred one with reduced visual stimulation, and rearing them in this environment reduced genotype-specific effects on tectal excitability. Together, these results shed new light on how fmr1-/- changes the early development of neural systems and behavior in a vertebrate.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are caused by changes in early neural development. Animal models of ASDs offer the opportunity to study these developmental processes in greater detail than in humans. Here, we found that a zebrafish mutant for a gene which in humans causes one type of ASD showed early alterations in hunting behavior, social behavior, and how visual stimuli are represented in the brain. However, we also found that mutant fish preferred reduced visual stimulation, and rearing them in this environment reduced alterations in neural activity patterns. These results suggest interesting new directions for using zebrafish as a model to study the development of brain and behavior in ASDs, and how the impact of ASDs could potentially be reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyu I Zhu
- Queensland Brain Institute
- Departments of Developmental Biology and Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
| | | | | | | | | | - Thomas Darveniza
- Departments of Developmental Biology and Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
| | | | | | - Geoffrey J Goodhill
- Queensland Brain Institute
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Departments of Developmental Biology and Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
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Abstract
Color is a pervasive feature of our psychological experience, having a role in many aspects of human mind and behavior such as basic vision, scene perception, object recognition, aesthetics, and communication. Understanding how humans encode, perceive, talk about, and use color has been a major interdisciplinary effort. Here, we present the current state of knowledge on how color perception and cognition develop. We cover the development of various aspects of the psychological experience of color, ranging from low-level color vision to perceptual mechanisms such as color constancy to phenomena such as color naming and color preference. We also identify neurodiversity in the development of color perception and cognition and implications for clinical and educational contexts. We discuss the theoretical implications of the research for understanding mature color perception and cognition, for identifying the principles of perceptual and cognitive development, and for fostering a broader debate in the psychological sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Maule
- The Sussex Colour Group & Baby Lab, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, United Kingdom;
| | - Alice E Skelton
- The Sussex Colour Group & Baby Lab, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, United Kingdom;
| | - Anna Franklin
- The Sussex Colour Group & Baby Lab, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, United Kingdom;
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Williams ZJ, Schaaf R, Ausderau KK, Baranek GT, Barrett DJ, Cascio CJ, Dumont RL, Eyoh EE, Failla MD, Feldman JI, Foss-Feig JH, Green HL, Green SA, He JL, Kaplan-Kahn EA, Keçeli-Kaysılı B, MacLennan K, Mailloux Z, Marco EJ, Mash LE, McKernan EP, Molholm S, Mostofsky SH, Puts NAJ, Robertson CE, Russo N, Shea N, Sideris J, Sutcliffe JS, Tavassoli T, Wallace MT, Wodka EL, Woynaroski TG. Examining the Latent Structure and Correlates of Sensory Reactivity in Autism: A Multi-site Integrative Data Analysis by the Autism Sensory Research Consortium. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2447849. [PMID: 36712092 PMCID: PMC9882639 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2447849/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Background Differences in responding to sensory stimuli, including sensory hyperreactivity (HYPER), hyporeactivity (HYPO), and sensory seeking (SEEK) have been observed in autistic individuals across sensory modalities, but few studies have examined the structure of these "supra-modal" traits in the autistic population. Methods Leveraging a combined sample of 3,868 autistic youth drawn from 12 distinct data sources (ages 3-18 years and representing the full range of cognitive ability), the current study used modern psychometric and meta-analytic techniques to interrogate the latent structure and correlates of caregiver-reported HYPER, HYPO, and SEEK within and across sensory modalities. Bifactor statistical indices were used to both evaluate the strength of a "general response pattern" factor for each supra-modal construct and determine the added value of "modality-specific response pattern" scores (e.g., Visual HYPER). Bayesian random-effects integrative data analysis models were used to examine the clinical and demographic correlates of all interpretable HYPER, HYPO and SEEK (sub)constructs. Results All modality-specific HYPER subconstructs could be reliably and validly measured, whereas certain modality-specific HYPO and SEEK subconstructs were psychometrically inadequate when measured using existing items. Bifactor analyses unambiguously supported the validity of a supra-modal HYPER construct (ω H = .800), whereas a coherent supra-modal HYPO construct was not supported (ω H = .611), and supra-modal SEEK models suggested a more limited version of the construct that excluded some sensory modalities (ω H = .799; 4/7 modalities). Within each sensory construct, modality-specific subscales demonstrated substantial added value beyond the supra-modal score. Meta-analytic correlations varied by construct, although sensory features tended to correlate most strongly with other domains of core autism features and co-occurring psychiatric symptoms. Certain subconstructs within the HYPO and SEEK domains were also associated with lower adaptive behavior scores. Limitations: Conclusions may not be generalizable beyond the specific pool of items used in the current study, which was limited to parent-report of observable behaviors and excluded multisensory items that reflect many "real-world" sensory experiences. Conclusion Psychometric issues may limit the degree to which some measures of supra-modal HYPO/SEEK can be interpreted. Depending on the research question at hand, modality-specific response pattern scores may represent a valid alternative method of characterizing sensory reactivity in autism.
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48
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Skerswetat J, Bex PJ. InFoRM (Indicate-Follow-Replay-Me): A novel method to measure perceptual multistability dynamics using continuous data tracking and validated estimates of visual introspection. Conscious Cogn 2023; 107:103437. [PMID: 36450218 PMCID: PMC9840704 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2022.103437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Perceptual multistability, e.g. Binocular Rivalry, has been intensively used as a tool to study visual consciousness. Current methods to assess multistability do not capture all potentially occurring perceptual states, provide no estimate of introspection, and lack continuous, high-temporal resolution to resolve perceptual changes between states and within mixed perceptual states. We introduce InFoRM (Indicate-Follow-Replay-Me), a four-phase method that (1) trains a participant to self-generate estimates of perceptual introspection-maps that are (2) validated during a physical mimic task, (3) gathers perceptual multistability data, and (4) confirms their validity during a physical replay. 28 condition-blinded adults performed InFoRM while experiencing binocular rivalry evoked with orthogonal sinusoidal gratings. A 60 Hz joystick (3600 data samples/minute) was used to indicate continuously changes across six perceptual states within each 1 min trial. A polarized monitor system was used to present the stimuli dichoptically. Three contrast conditions were investigated: low vs low, high vs high, and low vs high. InFoRM replicates standard outcome measures, i.e. alternation rate, mean and relative proportions of perception, and distribution of exclusive percepts that are well fitted with gamma functions. Furthermore, InFoRM generates novel outcomes that deliver new insights in visual cognition via estimates of introspection maps, in ocular dominance via perceptual-state-specific dominance scores, in transitory dynamics between and within perceptual states, via techniques adopted from eye-tracking, and in rivalry-zone-size estimates utilizing InFoRM's ability to simulate piecemeal perception. The replay phase (physical replay of perceptual rivalry) confirmed good overall agreement (73% ±5 standard deviation). InFoRM can be applied to other multistable paradigms and can be used to study visual consciousness in typical and neuro-atypical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Skerswetat
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
| | - Peter J Bex
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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49
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Raul P, McNally K, Ward LM, van Boxtel JJA. Does stochastic resonance improve performance for individuals with higher autism-spectrum quotient? Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1110714. [PMID: 37123379 PMCID: PMC10140507 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1110714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
While noise is generally believed to impair performance, the detection of weak stimuli can sometimes be enhanced by introducing optimum noise levels. This phenomenon is termed 'Stochastic Resonance' (SR). Past evidence suggests that autistic individuals exhibit higher neural noise than neurotypical individuals. It has been proposed that the enhanced performance in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on some tasks could be due to SR. Here we present a computational model, lab-based, and online visual identification experiments to find corroborating evidence for this hypothesis in individuals without a formal ASD diagnosis. Our modeling predicts that artificially increasing noise results in SR for individuals with low internal noise (e.g., neurotypical), however not for those with higher internal noise (e.g., autistic, or neurotypical individuals with higher autistic traits). It also predicts that at low stimulus noise, individuals with higher internal noise outperform those with lower internal noise. We tested these predictions using visual identification tasks among participants from the general population with autistic traits measured by the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). While all participants showed SR in the lab-based experiment, this did not support our model strongly. In the online experiment, significant SR was not found, however participants with higher AQ scores outperformed those with lower AQ scores at low stimulus noise levels, which is consistent with our modeling. In conclusion, our study is the first to investigate the link between SR and superior performance by those with ASD-related traits, and reports limited evidence to support the high neural noise/SR hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratik Raul
- Discipline of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- *Correspondence: Pratik Raul,
| | - Kate McNally
- Discipline of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Lawrence M. Ward
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jeroen J. A. van Boxtel
- Discipline of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Jeroen J. A. van Boxtel,
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50
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Hirsch J, Zhang X, Noah JA, Dravida S, Naples A, Tiede M, Wolf JM, McPartland JC. Neural correlates of eye contact and social function in autism spectrum disorder. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265798. [PMID: 36350848 PMCID: PMC9645655 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Reluctance to make eye contact during natural interactions is a central diagnostic criterion for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the underlying neural correlates for eye contacts in ASD are unknown, and diagnostic biomarkers are active areas of investigation. Here, neuroimaging, eye-tracking, and pupillometry data were acquired simultaneously using two-person functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during live "in-person" eye-to-eye contact and eye-gaze at a video face for typically-developed (TD) and participants with ASD to identify the neural correlates of live eye-to-eye contact in both groups. Comparisons between ASD and TD showed decreased right dorsal-parietal activity and increased right ventral temporal-parietal activity for ASD during live eye-to-eye contact (p≤0.05, FDR-corrected) and reduced cross-brain coherence consistent with atypical neural systems for live eye contact. Hypoactivity of right dorsal-parietal regions during eye contact in ASD was further associated with gold standard measures of social performance by the correlation of neural responses and individual measures of: ADOS-2, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (r = -0.76, -0.92 and -0.77); and SRS-2, Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (r = -0.58). The findings indicate that as categorized social ability decreases, neural responses to real eye-contact in the right dorsal parietal region also decrease consistent with a neural correlate for social characteristics in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy Hirsch
- Brain Function Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Xian Zhang
- Brain Function Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - J. Adam Noah
- Brain Function Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Swethasri Dravida
- Brain Function Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Adam Naples
- Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Mark Tiede
- Brain Function Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Julie M. Wolf
- Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, United States of America
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