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Cruz-Gamero JM, Ballardin D, Lecis B, Zhang CL, Cobret L, Gast A, Morisset-Lopez S, Piskorowski R, Langui D, Jose J, Chevreux G, Rebholz H. Missense mutation in the activation segment of the kinase CK2 models Okur-Chung neurodevelopmental disorder and alters the hippocampal glutamatergic synapse. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02762-8. [PMID: 39367055 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02762-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/23/2024] [Indexed: 10/06/2024]
Abstract
Exome sequencing has enabled the identification of causative genes of monogenic forms of autism, amongst them, in 2016, CSNK2A1, the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of the kinase CK2, linking this kinase to Okur-Chung Neurodevelopmental Syndrome (OCNDS), a newly described neurodevelopmental condition with many symptoms resembling those of autism spectrum disorder. Thus far, no preclinical model of this condition exists. Here we describe a knock-in mouse model that harbors the K198R mutation in the activation segment of the α subunit of CK2. This region is a mutational hotspot, representing one-third of patients. These mice exhibit behavioral phenotypes that mirror patient symptoms. Homozygous knock-in mice die mid-gestation while heterozygous knock-in mice are born at half of the expected mendelian ratio and are smaller in weight and size than wildtype littermates. Heterozygous knock-in mice showed alterations in cognition and memory-assessing paradigms, enhanced stereotypies, altered circadian activity patterns, and nesting behavior. Phosphoproteome analysis from brain tissue revealed alterations in the phosphorylation status of major pre- and postsynaptic proteins of heterozygous knock-in mice. In congruence, we detect reduced synaptic maturation in hippocampal neurons and attenuated long-term potentiation in the hippocampus of knock-in mice. Taken together, heterozygous knock-in mice (CK2αK198R/+) exhibit significant face validity, presenting ASD-relevant phenotypes, synaptic deficits, and alterations in synaptic plasticity, all of which strongly validate this line as a mouse model of OCNDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M Cruz-Gamero
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM U1266, Laboratory of Signaling mechanisms in neurological disorders, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Demetra Ballardin
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM U1266, Laboratory of Signaling mechanisms in neurological disorders, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Barbara Lecis
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM U1266, Laboratory of Signaling mechanisms in neurological disorders, 75014, Paris, France
- GHU-Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Hôpital Sainte Anne, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - Chun-Lei Zhang
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM U1266, Laboratory of Signaling mechanisms in neurological disorders, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Laetitia Cobret
- Center for Molecular Biophysics-CNRS UPR 4301, Rue Charles Sadron, Orléans, France
| | - Alexander Gast
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacampus, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Rebecca Piskorowski
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM U1266, Laboratory of Signaling mechanisms in neurological disorders, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Langui
- Inserm, Institut du Cerveau, Plateforme ICM-Quant, Paris, France
| | - Joachim Jose
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacampus, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Heike Rebholz
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM U1266, Laboratory of Signaling mechanisms in neurological disorders, 75014, Paris, France.
- GHU-Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Hôpital Sainte Anne, F-75014, Paris, France.
- Center of Neurodegeneration, Faculty of Medicine, Danube Private University, Krems, Austria.
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Shafer RL, Bartolotti J, Driggers A, Bojanek E, Wang Z, Mosconi MW. Visual feedback and motor memory contributions to sustained motor control deficits in autism spectrum disorder across childhood and into adulthood. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4831158. [PMID: 39281871 PMCID: PMC11398565 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4831158/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
Background Autistic individuals show deficits in sustained fine motor control which are associated with an over-reliance on visual feedback. Motor memory deficits also have been reported during sustained fine motor control in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The development of motor memory and visuomotor feedback processes contributing to sustained motor control issues in ASD are not known. The present study aimed to characterize age-related changes in visual feedback and motor memory processes contributing to sustained fine motor control issues in ASD. Methods Fifty-four autistic participants and 31 neurotypical (NT) controls ages 10-25 years completed visually guided and memory guided sustained precision gripping tests by pressing on force sensors with their dominant hand index finger and thumb. For visually guided trials, participants viewed a stationary target bar and a force bar that moved upwards with increased force for 15s. During memory guided trials, the force bar was visible for 3s, after which participants attempted to maintain their force output without visual feedback for another 12s. To assess visual feedback processing, force accuracy, variability (standard deviation), and regularity (sample entropy) were examined. To assess motor memory, force decay latency, slope, and magnitude were examined during epochs without visual feedback. Results Relative to NT controls, autistic individuals showed a greater magnitude and steeper slope of force decay during memory guided trials. Across conditions, the ASD group showed reduced force accuracy (β = .41, R 2 = 0.043, t 79.3 =2.36, p = 0.021) and greater force variability (β=-2.16, R 2 = .143, t 77.1 =-4.04, p = 0.0001) and regularity (β=-.52, R 2 = .021, t 77.4 =-2.21, p = 0.030) relative to controls at younger ages, but these differences normalized by adolescence (age x group interactions). Lower force accuracy and greater force variability during visually guided trials and steeper decay slope during memory guided trials were associated with overall autism severity. Conclusions Our findings that autistic individuals show a greater rate and magnitude of force decay than NT individuals following the removal of visual feedback indicate that motor memory deficits contribute to fine motor control issues in ASD. Findings that sensorimotor differences in ASD were specific to younger ages suggest delayed development across multiple motor control processes.
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Abrams G, Jayashankar A, Kilroy E, Butera C, Harrison L, Ring P, Houssain A, Nalbach A, Cermak SA, Aziz-Zadeh L. Differences in Praxis Errors in Autism Spectrum Disorder Compared to Developmental Coordination Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:1113-1129. [PMID: 36515853 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05858-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to better understand how autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental coordination disorder (DCD) differ in types of praxis errors made on the Florida Apraxia Battery Modified (FAB-M) and the potential relationships between praxis errors and social deficits in ASD. The ASD group made significantly more timing sequencing errors in imitation of meaningful gestures, as well as more body-part-for-tool errors during gesture-to-command compared to the other two groups. In the ASD group, increased temporal errors in meaningful imitation were significantly correlated with poorer affect recognition and less repetitive behaviors. Thus, in ASD, aspects of imitation ability are related to socioemotional skills and repetitive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Abrams
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, 3620A McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
- Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Aditya Jayashankar
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, 3620A McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
- Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Emily Kilroy
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, 3620A McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
- Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Christiana Butera
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, 3620A McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
- Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Laura Harrison
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, 3620A McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
- Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Priscilla Ring
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, 3620A McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
- Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Anusha Houssain
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, 3620A McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
- Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Alexis Nalbach
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, 3620A McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
- Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Sharon A Cermak
- Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Lisa Aziz-Zadeh
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, 3620A McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
- Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
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Al-Beltagi M. Pre-autism: What a paediatrician should know about early diagnosis of autism. World J Clin Pediatr 2023; 12:273-294. [PMID: 38178935 PMCID: PMC10762597 DOI: 10.5409/wjcp.v12.i5.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism, also known as an autism spectrum disorder, is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder usually diagnosed in the first three years of a child's life. A range of symptoms characterizes it and can be diagnosed at any age, including adolescence and adulthood. However, early diagnosis is crucial for effective management, prognosis, and care. Unfortunately, there are no established fetal, prenatal, or newborn screening programs for autism, making early detection difficult. This review aims to shed light on the early detection of autism prenatally, natally, and early in life, during a stage we call as "pre-autism" when typical symptoms are not yet apparent. Some fetal, neonatal, and infant biomarkers may predict an increased risk of autism in the coming baby. By developing a biomarker array, we can create an objective diagnostic tool to diagnose and rank the severity of autism for each patient. These biomarkers could be genetic, immunological, hormonal, metabolic, amino acids, acute phase reactants, neonatal brainstem function biophysical activity, behavioral profile, body measurements, or radiological markers. However, every biomarker has its accuracy and limitations. Several factors can make early detection of autism a real challenge. To improve early detection, we need to overcome various challenges, such as raising community awareness of early signs of autism, improving access to diagnostic tools, reducing the stigma attached to the diagnosis of autism, and addressing various culturally sensitive concepts related to the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Al-Beltagi
- Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31511, Algahrbia, Egypt
- Department of Pediatric, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Manama 26671, Manama, Bahrain
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Lee JH, Hwang H, Yun J, Kim HJ, Yoo SK, Chung US, Han DH. Developing an Attention Assessment Tool for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Timbre, Rhythm, and Pitch. J Korean Med Sci 2023; 38:e228. [PMID: 37489717 PMCID: PMC10366410 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e228] [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: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Music is regarded as a beneficial tool for assessing the clinical symptoms and communication skills in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism. The present study developed a music-based attention test (MAT) for individuals with autism using music parameters and the algorithm of the comprehensive attention test (CAT). METHODS We recruited 51 autistic individuals and 50 neurotypical individuals to participate in the CAT, MAT, and social intelligence tests. The reliability and validity of the MAT were assessed using exploratory factor analysis, concurrent validity, and criterion-related validity. RESULTS The MAT had sound internal consistency (high Cronbach's α = 0.948). In addition, the MAT had suitable concurrent validity in the correlation between CAT and MAT, as well as good criterion validity when attention was measured using the MAT and was compared between autistic individuals and neurotypical individuals. Attention evaluated using the MAT was associated with the social quotient in individuals with autism. CONCLUSIONS The MAT could be a relevant tool for gauging attention in individuals with ASD. Furthermore, attention determined using the MAT may be correlated with social quotient in autistic individuals. Future studies should consider that using music in the field of attention could improve the social quotient of individuals with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hyung Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyunchan Hwang
- Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Juri Yun
- Department of Music Therapy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hee Jun Kim
- Department of Oncology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seo-Koo Yoo
- School of Social Welfare, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Un Sun Chung
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Doug Hyun Han
- Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
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Bhat A. Multidimensional motor performance in children with autism mostly remains stable with age and predicts social communication delay, language delay, functional delay, and repetitive behavior severity after accounting for intellectual disability or cognitive delay: A SPARK dataset analysis. Autism Res 2023; 16:208-229. [PMID: 36533674 PMCID: PMC9939031 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
When motor difficulties continue into adolescence/adulthood, they could negatively impact an individual with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)'s daily living skills, physical fitness, as well as physical and mental health/well-being. Few studies have examined motor difficulties in children with ASD as a function of sex or age; however, greater cognitive challenges are associated with worse general motor performance. Based on the Developmental Coordination Disorder-Questionnaire (DCD-Q) data from the SPARK study sample, 87%-88% children with ASD were at-risk for a general motor impairment that persisted until 15 years and was related to their core and co-occurring difficulties. Bhat et al. confirmed motor difficulties in children with ASD on multiple motor dimensions that predicted core and co-occurring conditions after accounting for age and sex. However, presence of intellectual disability (ID) or cognitive delay was not controlled in the previous analysis. Additionally, the effects of age, sex, and cognitive ability on multidimensional motor difficulties of the SPARK sample have not been discussed before. Therefore, this analysis examines the effects of age, sex, and cognitive ability (presence of ID or level of cognitive delay) on the motor performance of children from the SPARK sample using the DCD-Q. Except fine motor skills, multiple motor domains did not change with age in children with ASD. Females without ID improved their fine motor scores with age, and performed better compared to males without ID. Children with ASD and ID had greater motor difficulties across multiple motor domains than those without ID. Even after controlling for age, sex, and presence of ID/cognitive delay; motor performance was predictive of social communication skills, repetitive behavior severity, as well as language and functional delays. Gross motor skills contributed more than fine motor and general motor competence skills in predicting social communication delay. However, fine motor and general motor competence skills contributed more than gross motor skills in predicting repetitive behavior severity and language delay. Both, fine and gross motor skills predicted functional delay. In light of consistent findings on motor difficulties in children with ASD, adding motor issues as a specifier within the ASD definition could provide a clear clinical route for movement clinicians to address motor difficulties of individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjana Bhat
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA,Biomechanics & Movement Science Program, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA,Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
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Waite J, Beck SR, Powis L, Oliver C. The Executive Function Account of Repetitive Behavior: Evidence From Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome. AMERICAN JOURNAL ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2023; 128:49-65. [PMID: 36548376 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-128.1.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we focus on Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS) to explore the associations between executive function deficits and repetitive behaviors. Thirty individuals with RTS completed direct assessments of inhibition, working memory and set-shifting. Informants completed repetitive behavior and executive function questionnaires. Repetitive questions were associated with poorer inhibition and working memory. Stereotypy was associated with poorer inhibition. Adherence to routines was associated with poorer set-shifting, but only on the parental report measure. No other associations were evident. There is evidence of an association between specific repetitive behaviors and executive functioning in RTS, suggesting executive dysfunction may underpin behavioral difference in RTS. The findings point towards specific associations that are of interest for further research across populations in which repetitive behaviors are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Waite
- Jane Waite, College of Health and Life Sciences, School of Psychology, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sarah R Beck
- Sarah R. Beck, Laurie Powis, and Chris Oliver, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Laurie Powis
- Sarah R. Beck, Laurie Powis, and Chris Oliver, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Chris Oliver
- Sarah R. Beck, Laurie Powis, and Chris Oliver, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
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8
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Ayoub MJ, Keegan L, Tager-Flusberg H, Gill SV. Neuroimaging Techniques as Descriptive and Diagnostic Tools for Infants at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Brain Sci 2022; 12:602. [PMID: 35624989 PMCID: PMC9139416 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12050602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has traditionally been evaluated and diagnosed via behavioral assessments. However, increasing research suggests that neuroimaging as early as infancy can reliably identify structural and functional differences between autistic and non-autistic brains. The current review provides a systematic overview of imaging approaches used to identify differences between infants at familial risk and without risk and predictive biomarkers. Two primary themes emerged after reviewing the literature: (1) neuroimaging methods can be used to describe structural and functional differences between infants at risk and infants not at risk for ASD (descriptive), and (2) neuroimaging approaches can be used to predict ASD diagnosis among high-risk infants and developmental outcomes beyond infancy (predicting later diagnosis). Combined, the articles highlighted that several neuroimaging studies have identified a variety of neuroanatomical and neurological differences between infants at high and low risk for ASD, and among those who later receive an ASD diagnosis. Incorporating neuroimaging into ASD evaluations alongside traditional behavioral assessments can provide individuals with earlier diagnosis and earlier access to supportive resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J. Ayoub
- College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (M.J.A.); (L.K.)
| | - Laura Keegan
- College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (M.J.A.); (L.K.)
| | - Helen Tager-Flusberg
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
| | - Simone V. Gill
- College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (M.J.A.); (L.K.)
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9
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Bhat AN, Boulton AJ, Tulsky DS. A further study of relations between motor impairment and social communication, cognitive, language, functional impairments, and repetitive behavior severity in children with ASD using the SPARK study dataset. Autism Res 2022; 15:1156-1178. [PMID: 35357764 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Motor impairments are pervasive and persistent in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) throughout childhood and adolescence. Based on recent studies examining motor impairments in children with ASD between 5 and 15 years (i.e., SPARK study sample), 87-88% of this population is at-risk for a motor impairment, these problems persisted until 15 years, and related to their core (social communication skills and repetitive behaviors [RBs]) and comorbid (language, cognitive, and functional) impairments. Persistent motor impairments extending into adolescence/adulthood could negatively impact their independent daily living skills, physical fitness/activity levels, and physical/mental health. While multiple studies have examined relations between motor dimensions and core/comorbid impairments in young children with ASD, few studies have examined such relations in school-age children/adolescents with ASD. This paper conducts a further multidimensional study of which motor domains (i.e., gross-motor including visuo-motor or multilimb coordination/planning, fine motor [FM] or general coordination [GC] skills) best distinguish subgroups of school-age children/adolescents with ASD and help predict core and comorbid impairments after accounting for age and sex. Visuomotor, FM and certain GC skills were better at explaining variations in/predicting social communication impairments whereas FM skills were slightly better at explaining variations in/predicting RB severity. Multilimb coordination/planning and FM skills explained variations in/predicted cognitive delays whereas visuomotor and FM skills explained variations in and better predicted language delays. All three motor dimensions explained variations in/predicted functional delays. This study provides further evidence for inclusion of motor impairments within the ASD definition (criteria or specifiers). LAY SUMMARY: Gross-motor skills were related to social communication and functional delays of children with ASD (visuomotor skills related to language delays and multilimb coordination/planning skills related to cognitive delays). Fine-motor skills were related to repetitive behavior severity, language, cognitive, and functional delays in ASD. Diagnosticians should recommend systematic motor screening, further evaluations, and treatments for children at-risk for and diagnosed with ASD. Motor advocacy and enhanced public/clinical community awareness is needed to fulfill the unmet motor needs of children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjana N Bhat
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.,Biomechanics & Movement Science Program, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.,Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Aaron J Boulton
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.,Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.,Center for Health Assessment Research and Translation, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - David S Tulsky
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.,Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.,Center for Health Assessment Research and Translation, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
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10
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Behavioural Differences in Sensorimotor Profiles: A Comparison of Preschool-Aged Children with Sensory Processing Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorders. CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9030408. [PMID: 35327780 PMCID: PMC8947260 DOI: 10.3390/children9030408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Sensory Processing Disorders (SPDs) define dysfunctions in modulating, organising, and using information from several sensory channels for regulating motor, behavioural, emotional and attention responses. Although SPD can be identified also as an isolated condition in young children, its presence in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) population is really frequent. The study purpose is to explore the SPD clinical expression and the putative correlation with several behavioural aspects both in children with ASD and in those with isolated SPD. Therefore, 43 preschool-aged children (25 ASD vs. 18 SPD) were recruited, and their parents completed three questionnaires (Developmental Profile-3, Sensory Processing Measure–Preschool, Repetitive Behaviour Scale-Revised) to evaluate behavioural alterations and developmental levels. The main result is that both ASD and SPD groups had significantly sensory-related behavioural symptoms, although ASD children seem to be more impaired in all areas. Several significant correlations were found between sensory processing difficulties and repetitive behaviours, but in the SPD group a specific relationship between Body Awareness and Ritualistic/Sameness Behaviour was found. Conversely, in the ASD group, more diffuse interlinks between sensory processing difficulties and motor behaviours were significant. In conclusion, the present study confirms the key role of sensory–motor skills in early diagnosis and intervention among children at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.
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11
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Zerbi V, Pagani M, Markicevic M, Matteoli M, Pozzi D, Fagiolini M, Bozzi Y, Galbusera A, Scattoni ML, Provenzano G, Banerjee A, Helmchen F, Basson MA, Ellegood J, Lerch JP, Rudin M, Gozzi A, Wenderoth N. Brain mapping across 16 autism mouse models reveals a spectrum of functional connectivity subtypes. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7610-7620. [PMID: 34381171 PMCID: PMC8873017 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01245-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by substantial, yet highly heterogeneous abnormalities in functional brain connectivity. However, the origin and significance of this phenomenon remain unclear. To unravel ASD connectopathy and relate it to underlying etiological heterogeneity, we carried out a bi-center cross-etiological investigation of fMRI-based connectivity in the mouse, in which specific ASD-relevant mutations can be isolated and modeled minimizing environmental contributions. By performing brain-wide connectivity mapping across 16 mouse mutants, we show that different ASD-associated etiologies cause a broad spectrum of connectional abnormalities in which diverse, often diverging, connectivity signatures are recognizable. Despite this heterogeneity, the identified connectivity alterations could be classified into four subtypes characterized by discrete signatures of network dysfunction. Our findings show that etiological variability is a key determinant of connectivity heterogeneity in ASD, hence reconciling conflicting findings in clinical populations. The identification of etiologically-relevant connectivity subtypes could improve diagnostic label accuracy in the non-syndromic ASD population and paves the way for personalized treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Zerbi
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - M Pagani
- Functional Neuroimaging Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Rovereto, Italy
| | - M Markicevic
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - M Matteoli
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Pathology, Neurocenter, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Mi, Italy
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Milano, Italy
| | - D Pozzi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Pathology, Neurocenter, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Mi, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - M Fagiolini
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Department, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Y Bozzi
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - A Galbusera
- Functional Neuroimaging Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Rovereto, Italy
| | - M L Scattoni
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - G Provenzano
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology. (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - A Banerjee
- Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - F Helmchen
- Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - M A Basson
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College, London, London, UK
| | - J Ellegood
- Mouse Imaging Ctr., Hosp. For Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - J P Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Ctr., Hosp. For Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - M Rudin
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - A Gozzi
- Functional Neuroimaging Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Rovereto, Italy.
| | - N Wenderoth
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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12
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Vishne G, Jacoby N, Malinovitch T, Epstein T, Frenkel O, Ahissar M. Slow update of internal representations impedes synchronization in autism. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5439. [PMID: 34521851 PMCID: PMC8440645 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25740-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social skills, motor and perceptual atypicalities. These difficulties were explained within the Bayesian framework as either reflecting oversensitivity to prediction errors or - just the opposite - slow updating of such errors. To test these opposing theories, we administer paced finger-tapping, a synchronization task that requires use of recent sensory information for fast error-correction. We use computational modelling to disentangle the contributions of error-correction from that of noise in keeping temporal intervals, and in executing motor responses. To assess the specificity of tapping characteristics to autism, we compare performance to both neurotypical individuals and individuals with dyslexia. Only the autism group shows poor sensorimotor synchronization. Trial-by-trial modelling reveals typical noise levels in interval representations and motor responses. However, rate of error correction is reduced in autism, impeding synchronization ability. These results provide evidence for slow updating of internal representations in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gal Vishne
- Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Nori Jacoby
- Computational Auditory Perception Group, Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Tamir Epstein
- Psychiatric Division, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Or Frenkel
- Psychology Department, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Merav Ahissar
- Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
- Psychology Department, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
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13
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Shafer RL, Wang Z, Bartolotti J, Mosconi MW. Visual and somatosensory feedback mechanisms of precision manual motor control in autism spectrum disorder. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:32. [PMID: 34496766 PMCID: PMC8427856 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-021-09381-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show deficits processing sensory feedback to reactively adjust ongoing motor behaviors. Atypical reliance on visual and somatosensory feedback each have been reported during motor behaviors in ASD suggesting that impairments are not specific to one sensory domain but may instead reflect a deficit in multisensory processing, resulting in reliance on unimodal feedback. The present study tested this hypothesis by examining motor behavior across different visual and somatosensory feedback conditions during a visually guided precision grip force test. METHODS Participants with ASD (N = 43) and age-matched typically developing (TD) controls (N = 23), ages 10-20 years, completed a test of precision gripping. They pressed on force transducers with their index finger and thumb while receiving visual feedback on a computer screen in the form of a horizontal bar that moved upwards with increased force. They were instructed to press so that the bar reached the level of a static target bar and then to hold their grip force as steadily as possible. Visual feedback was manipulated by changing the gain of the force bar. Somatosensory feedback was manipulated by applying 80 Hz tendon vibration at the wrist to disrupt the somatosensory percept. Force variability (standard deviation) and irregularity (sample entropy) were examined using multilevel linear models. RESULTS While TD controls showed increased force variability with the tendon vibration on compared to off, individuals with ASD showed similar levels of force variability across tendon vibration conditions. Individuals with ASD showed stronger age-associated reductions in force variability relative to controls across conditions. The ASD group also showed greater age-associated increases in force irregularity relative to controls, especially at higher gain levels and when the tendon vibrator was turned on. CONCLUSIONS Our findings that disrupting somatosensory feedback did not contribute to changes in force variability or regularity among individuals with ASD suggests a reduced ability to integrate somatosensory feedback information to guide ongoing precision manual motor behavior. We also document stronger age-associated gains in force control in ASD relative to TD suggesting delayed development of multisensory feedback control of motor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin L Shafer
- Life Span Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - James Bartolotti
- Life Span Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Matthew W Mosconi
- Life Span Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
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14
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Park S, Haak KV, Cho HB, Valk SL, Bethlehem RAI, Milham MP, Bernhardt BC, Di Martino A, Hong SJ. Atypical Integration of Sensory-to-Transmodal Functional Systems Mediates Symptom Severity in Autism. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:699813. [PMID: 34489757 PMCID: PMC8417581 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.699813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A notable characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is co-occurring deficits in low-level sensory processing and high-order social interaction. While there is evidence indicating detrimental cascading effects of sensory anomalies on the high-order cognitive functions in ASD, the exact pathological mechanism underlying their atypical functional interaction across the cortical hierarchy has not been systematically investigated. To address this gap, here we assessed the functional organisation of sensory and motor areas in ASD, and their relationship with subcortical and high-order trandmodal systems. In a resting-state fMRI data of 107 ASD and 113 neurotypical individuals, we applied advanced connectopic mapping to probe functional organization of primary sensory/motor areas, together with targeted seed-based intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) analyses. In ASD, the connectopic mapping revealed topological anomalies (i.e., excessively more segregated iFC) in the motor and visual areas, the former of which patterns showed association with the symptom severity of restricted and repetitive behaviors. Moreover, the seed-based analysis found diverging patterns of ASD-related connectopathies: decreased iFCs within the sensory/motor areas but increased iFCs between sensory and subcortical structures. While decreased iFCs were also found within the higher-order functional systems, the overall proportion of this anomaly tends to increase along the level of cortical hierarchy, suggesting more dysconnectivity in the higher-order functional networks. Finally, we demonstrated that the association between low-level sensory/motor iFCs and clinical symptoms in ASD was mediated by the high-order transmodal systems, suggesting pathogenic functional interactions along the cortical hierarchy. Findings were largely replicated in the independent dataset. These results highlight that atypical integration of sensory-to-high-order systems contributes to the complex ASD symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinwon Park
- Institute for Basic Science, Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Koen V. Haak
- Donders Institute of Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Han Byul Cho
- Institute for Basic Science, Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Sofie L. Valk
- Otto Hahn Group Cognitive Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Richard A. I. Bethlehem
- Department of Psychiatry, Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Brain Mapping Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Milham
- Center for the Developing Brain, Child Mind Institute, New York, NY, United States
- Center for Biomedical Imaging and Neuromodulation, Nathan Kline Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Boris C. Bernhardt
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Seok-Jun Hong
- Institute for Basic Science, Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
- Center for the Developing Brain, Child Mind Institute, New York, NY, United States
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15
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McCracken JT, Anagnostou E, Arango C, Dawson G, Farchione T, Mantua V, McPartland J, Murphy D, Pandina G, Veenstra-VanderWeele J. Drug development for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Progress, challenges, and future directions. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2021; 48:3-31. [PMID: 34158222 PMCID: PMC10062405 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2021.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In 2017, facing lack of progress and failures encountered in targeted drug development for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disorders, the ISCTM with the ECNP created the ASD Working Group charged to identify barriers to progress and recommending research strategies for the field to gain traction. Working Group international academic, regulatory and industry representatives held multiple in-person meetings, teleconferences, and subgroup communications to gather a wide range of perspectives on lessons learned from extant studies, current challenges, and paths for fundamental advances in ASD therapeutics. This overview delineates the barriers identified, and outlines major goals for next generation biomedical intervention development in ASD. Current challenges for ASD research are many: heterogeneity, lack of validated biomarkers, need for improved endpoints, prioritizing molecular targets, comorbidities, and more. The Working Group emphasized cautious but unwavering optimism for therapeutic progress for ASD core features given advances in the basic neuroscience of ASD and related disorders. Leveraging genetic data, intermediate phenotypes, digital phenotyping, big database discovery, refined endpoints, and earlier intervention, the prospects for breakthrough treatments are substantial. Recommendations include new priorities for expanded research funding to overcome challenges in translational clinical ASD therapeutic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- James T McCracken
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024, United States.
| | | | - Celso Arango
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Univesitario Gregorio Maranon, and School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Geraldine Dawson
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Tiffany Farchione
- Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
| | - Valentina Mantua
- Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
| | | | - Declan Murphy
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Gahan Pandina
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Area, Janssen Research & Development, Pennington, New Jersey, United States
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16
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Shafer RL, Lewis MH, Newell KM, Bodfish JW. Atypical neural processing during the execution of complex sensorimotor behavior in autism. Behav Brain Res 2021; 409:113337. [PMID: 33933522 PMCID: PMC8188828 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Stereotyped behavior is rhythmic, repetitive movement that is essentially invariant in form. Stereotypy is common in several clinical disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), where it is considered maladaptive. However, it also occurs early in typical development (TD) where it is hypothesized to serve as the foundation on which complex, adaptive motor behavior develops. This transition from stereotyped to complex movement in TD is thought to be supported by sensorimotor integration. Stereotypy in clinical disorders may persist due to deficits in sensorimotor integration. The present study assessed whether differences in sensorimotor processing may limit the expression of complex motor behavior in individuals with ASD and contribute to the clinical stereotypy observed in this population. Adult participants with ASD and TD performed a computer-based stimulus-tracking task in the presence and absence of visual feedback. Electroencephalography was recorded during the task. Groups were compared on motor performance (root mean square error), motor complexity (sample entropy), and neural complexity (multiscale sample entropy of the electroencephalography signal) in the presence and absence of visual feedback. No group differences were found for motor performance or motor complexity. The ASD group demonstrated greater neural complexity and greater differences between feedback conditions than TD individuals, specifically in signals relevant to sensorimotor processing. Motor performance and motor complexity correlated with clinical stereotypy in the ASD group. These findings support the hypothesis that individuals with ASD have differences in sensorimotor processing when executing complex motor behavior and that stereotypy is associated with low motor complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin L Shafer
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, 6133 Medical Research Building III, 465 21(st) Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Mark H Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida College of Medicine, PO Box 100256, L4-100 McKnight Brain Institute, 1149 Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL, 3261, USA.
| | - Karl M Newell
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Georgia, G3 Aderhold Hall, 110 Carlton Street, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
| | - James W Bodfish
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, 6133 Medical Research Building III, 465 21(st) Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 8310 Medical Center East, 1215 21(st) Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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17
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Canu D, Van der Paelt S, Canal-Bedia R, Posada M, Vanvuchelen M, Roeyers H. Early non-social behavioural indicators of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in siblings at elevated likelihood for ASD: a systematic review. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2021; 30:497-538. [PMID: 32088859 PMCID: PMC8041710 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-020-01487-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We aimed at identifying early non-social behavioural indicators that predict later ASD. Likewise, we were interested in the moment in which non-social signs discriminate between children at elevated likelihood for ASD with a later diagnosis of ASD, and children at elevated likelihood for ASD with a typical developmental outcome. In addition, we intended to explore the developmental evolution of children's symptomatology over time. A systematic literature search was conducted for longitudinal studies on early non-social behavioural indicators among siblings at elevated likelihood for ASD. The following databases were searched: PUBMED, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL and EMBASE. The study identification process was conducted by two reviewers independently. Compared to siblings at elevated likelihood for ASD with a typical developmental outcome, siblings at elevated likelihood for ASD with later ASD show impairments in attention disengagement, in gross and fine motor development and characteristic restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours, starting at 12 months of age. Moreover, early attention disengagement exerts a predictive role towards a later ASD diagnosis, given that from 12 months siblings at elevated likelihood for ASD who will receive an independent ASD diagnosis towards 24-36 months present marked difficulties in disengaging in comparison with siblings at elevated likelihood for ASD that will not satisfy the criteria for an ASD diagnosis. The findings call for a more comprehensive vision on early indicators of ASD. Further research is needed to extend results to other behavioural domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Canu
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rehabilitation Research Center (REVAL), Hasselt Unversity, Agoralaan, Building A, 3590 Diepenbeek, Hasselt, Belgium.
- Research in Developmental Disorders Lab, Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
- Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Sara Van der Paelt
- Research in Developmental Disorders Lab, Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ricardo Canal-Bedia
- Instituto Universitario de Integración en la Comunidad (INICO), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Manuel Posada
- Institute of Rare Diseases Research & CIBERER, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marleen Vanvuchelen
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rehabilitation Research Center (REVAL), Hasselt Unversity, Agoralaan, Building A, 3590 Diepenbeek, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Herbert Roeyers
- Research in Developmental Disorders Lab, Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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18
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The Multi-Targeting Ligand ST-2223 with Histamine H 3 Receptor and Dopamine D 2/D 3 Receptor Antagonist Properties Mitigates Autism-Like Repetitive Behaviors and Brain Oxidative Stress in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041947. [PMID: 33669336 PMCID: PMC7920280 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and communicative impairments, as well as repetitive and restricted behaviors (RRBs). With the limited effectiveness of current pharmacotherapies in treating repetitive behaviors, the present study determined the effects of acute systemic treatment of the novel multi-targeting ligand ST-2223, with incorporated histamine H3 receptor (H3R) and dopamine D2/D3 receptor affinity properties, on ASD-related RRBs in a male Black and Tan BRachyury (BTBR) mouse model of ASD. ST-2223 (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly mitigated the increase in marble burying and self-grooming, and improved reduced spontaneous alternation in BTBR mice (all p < 0.05). Similarly, reference drugs memantine (MEM, 5 mg/kg, i.p.) and aripiprazole (ARP, 1 mg/kg, i.p.), reversed abnormally high levels of several RRBs in BTBR (p < 0.05). Moreover, ST-2223 palliated the disturbed anxiety levels observed in an open field test (all p < 0.05), but did not restore the hyperactivity parameters, whereas MEM failed to restore mouse anxiety and hyperactivity. In addition, ST-2223 (5 mg/kg, i.p.) mitigated oxidative stress status by decreasing the elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and increasing the levels of decreased glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in different brain parts of treated BTBR mice (all p < 0.05). These preliminary in vivo findings demonstrate the ameliorative effects of ST-2223 on RRBs in a mouse model of ASD, suggesting its pharmacological prospective to rescue core ASD-related behaviors. Further confirmatory investigations on its effects on various brain neurotransmitters, e.g., dopamine and histamine, in different brain regions are still warranted to corroborate and expand these initial data.
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19
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Lampi A, Fitzpatrick P, Romero V, Amaral J, Schmidt RC. Understanding the Influence of Social and Motor Context on the Co-occurring Frequency of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 50:1479-1496. [PMID: 30051188 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3698-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The social and motor context in which restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) occur in autism and their relationship to social traits are not well-understood. Participants with and without autism completed tasks that varied in social and motor engagement and RRB frequency was measured. Motor and verbal RRBs were most common, RRBs varied based on motor and social context for participants with autism, and social engagement was associated with lower motor and verbal RRBs. Significant correlations between RRBs and autism severity, social synchrony, and nonverbal mental age were also found. This research confirms the importance of context for understanding RRBs during on-going tasks and raises questions about whether the factors that elicit vocal and motor RRBs are unique for individual children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Lampi
- Department of Psychology, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA
| | - Paula Fitzpatrick
- Department of Psychology, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA.
| | - Veronica Romero
- Center for Cognition, Action and Perception, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Psychology, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Joseph Amaral
- Center for Cognition, Action and Perception, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Boston Children's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - R C Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA
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20
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Abdelhamid N, Padmavathy A, Peebles D, Thabtah F, Goulder-Horobin D. Data Imbalance in Autism Pre-Diagnosis Classification Systems: An Experimental Study. JOURNAL OF INFORMATION & KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219649220400146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Machine learning (ML) is a branch of computer science that is rapidly gaining popularity within the healthcare arena due to its ability to explore large datasets to discover useful patterns that can be interepreted for decision-making and prediction. ML techniques are used for the analysis of clinical parameters and their combinations for prognosis, therapy planning and support and patient management and wellbeing. In this research, we investigate a crucial problem associated with medical applications such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) data imbalances in which cases are far more than just controls in the dataset. In autism diagnosis data, the number of possible instances is linked with one class, i.e. the no ASD is larger than the ASD, and this may cause performance issues such as models favouring the majority class and undermining the minority class. This research experimentally measures the impact of class imbalance issue on the performance of different classifiers on real autism datasets when various data imbalance approaches are utilised in the pre-processing phase. We employ oversampling techniques, such as Synthetic Minority Oversampling (SMOTE), and undersampling with different classifiers including Naive Bayes, RIPPER, C4.5 and Random Forest to measure the impact of these on the performance of the models derived in terms of area under curve and other metrics. Results pinpoint that oversampling techniques are superior to undersampling techniques, at least for the toddlers’ autism dataset that we consider, and suggest that further work should look at incorporating sampling techniques with feature selection to generate models that do not overfit the dataset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Abdelhamid
- IT Programme, Auckland Institute of Studies, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Arun Padmavathy
- Digital Technologies, Manukau Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David Peebles
- Department of Psychology, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Fadi Thabtah
- Digital Technologies, Manukau Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
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21
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Licari MK, Alvares GA, Varcin K, Evans KL, Cleary D, Reid SL, Glasson EJ, Bebbington K, Reynolds JE, Wray J, Whitehouse AJO. Prevalence of Motor Difficulties in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Analysis of a Population‐Based Cohort. Autism Res 2019; 13:298-306. [DOI: 10.1002/aur.2230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa K. Licari
- Telethon Kids InstituteThe University of Western Australia Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Gail A. Alvares
- Telethon Kids InstituteThe University of Western Australia Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Kandice Varcin
- Telethon Kids InstituteThe University of Western Australia Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Kiah L. Evans
- Telethon Kids InstituteThe University of Western Australia Perth Western Australia Australia
- School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech PathologyCurtin University Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Dominique Cleary
- Telethon Kids InstituteThe University of Western Australia Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Siobhan L. Reid
- School of Human SciencesThe University of Western Australia Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Emma J. Glasson
- Telethon Kids InstituteThe University of Western Australia Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Keely Bebbington
- Telethon Kids InstituteThe University of Western Australia Perth Western Australia Australia
| | | | - John Wray
- Child Development ServiceWestern Australian Department of Health Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Andrew J. O. Whitehouse
- Telethon Kids InstituteThe University of Western Australia Perth Western Australia Australia
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22
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LaGasse AB, Manning RCB, Crasta JE, Gavin WJ, Davies PL. Assessing the Impact of Music Therapy on Sensory Gating and Attention in Children With Autism: A Pilot and Feasibility Study. J Music Ther 2019; 56:287-314. [PMID: 31225588 DOI: 10.1093/jmt/thz008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently demonstrate atypical processing of sensory information and deficits in attentional abilities. These deficits may impact social and academic functioning. Although music therapy has been used to address sensory and attentional needs, there are no studies including physiologic indicators of sensory processing to determine the impact of music therapy. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of conducting study protocols, determine the adequacy of electroencephalography (EEG) and behavioral measures in identifying attentional differences in children with ASD compared with typically developing (TD) children, and to gather preliminary evidence of intervention effects on brain responses and attention outcomes. Seven children with high functioning ASD ages 5 -12 and seven age- and gender-matched TD completed procedures measuring brain responses (EEG) and behaviors (the Test of Everyday Attention for Children). Children with ASD then completed a 35-min individual music therapy attention protocol delivered by a board-certified music therapist ten times over 5 weeks. Children with ASD completed measures of brain responses and behavior post-intervention to determine pre- to post-test differences. Consent and completion rates were 100% for children who met the study criteria. Feasibility measures indicated that measures of brain responsivity could be used to determine attentional differences between children with ASD and typical children. Initial outcome data for brain responses and behavior indicated positive trends for the impact of music therapy on selective attention skills.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jewel E Crasta
- Colorado State University Department of Occupational Therapy
| | - William J Gavin
- Colorado State University Department of Molecular, Cellular & Integrative Neurosciences
| | - Patricia L Davies
- Colorado State University Department of Occupational Therapy.,Colorado State University Department of Molecular, Cellular & Integrative Neurosciences
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23
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McKinnon CJ, Eggebrecht AT, Todorov A, Wolff JJ, Elison JT, Adams CM, Snyder AZ, Estes AM, Zwaigenbaum L, Botteron KN, McKinstry RC, Marrus N, Evans A, Hazlett HC, Dager SR, Paterson SJ, Pandey J, Schultz RT, Styner MA, Gerig G, Schlaggar BL, Petersen SE, Piven J, Pruett JR. Restricted and Repetitive Behavior and Brain Functional Connectivity in Infants at Risk for Developing Autism Spectrum Disorder. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2019; 4:50-61. [PMID: 30446435 PMCID: PMC6557405 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs), detectable by 12 months in many infants in whom autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is later diagnosed, may represent some of the earliest behavioral markers of ASD. However, brain function underlying the emergence of these key behaviors remains unknown. METHODS Behavioral and resting-state functional connectivity (fc) magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 167 children at high and low familial risk for ASD at 12 and 24 months (n = 38 at both time points). Twenty infants met criteria for ASD at 24 months. We divided RRBs into four subcategories (restricted, stereotyped, ritualistic/sameness, self-injurious) and used a data-driven approach to identify functional brain networks associated with the development of each RRB subcategory. RESULTS Higher scores for ritualistic/sameness behavior were associated with less positive fc between visual and control networks at 12 and 24 months. Ritualistic/sameness and stereotyped behaviors were associated with less positive fc between visual and default mode networks at 12 months. At 24 months, stereotyped and restricted behaviors were associated with more positive fc between default mode and control networks. Additionally, at 24 months, stereotyped behavior was associated with more positive fc between dorsal attention and subcortical networks, whereas restricted behavior was associated with more positive fc between default mode and dorsal attention networks. No significant network-level associations were observed for self-injurious behavior. CONCLUSIONS These observations mark the earliest known description of functional brain systems underlying RRBs, reinforce the construct validity of RRB subcategories in infants, and implicate specific neural substrates for future interventions targeting RRBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire J McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Adam T Eggebrecht
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Alexandre Todorov
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jason J Wolff
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jed T Elison
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Chloe M Adams
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Abraham Z Snyder
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Annette M Estes
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Kelly N Botteron
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Robert C McKinstry
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Natasha Marrus
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Alan Evans
- McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Heather C Hazlett
- The Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carborro, North Carolina
| | - Stephen R Dager
- Department of Radiology and Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sarah J Paterson
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Juhi Pandey
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Robert T Schultz
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Martin A Styner
- The Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carborro, North Carolina
| | - Guido Gerig
- Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Bradley L Schlaggar
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Steven E Petersen
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Joseph Piven
- The Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carborro, North Carolina
| | - John R Pruett
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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24
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Nagase K. Relationship Between Autism Spectrum Disorder Characteristics and Humor Appreciation in Typically Developing Individuals. Psychol Rep 2018; 122:2282-2297. [PMID: 30301421 DOI: 10.1177/0033294118804999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Extant research regarding humor appreciation in individuals with autism spectrum disorder has been equivocal. This study aims to clarify the relationship between the severity of autism spectrum disorder characteristics and humor appreciation in typically developing individuals. We hypothesized that the severity of autistic traits would have a U-shaped linear relationship with humor appreciation. Eighty typically developing undergraduates between the ages of 18 and 22 years ( Mage = 20.20; SDage = 1.08) were recruited for this study. They were asked to answer 24 statements, devised to measure humor appreciation, in response to a joke stimulus comprising 12 typically funny daily life occurrences (two statements per episode). The participants also responded to the Japanese version of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient. A significant U-shaped relationship was observed between the severity of autistic traits and appreciation of humor. A similar significant U-shaped relationship was seen between humor appreciation and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient subscales of attention switching, communication, and imagination. Humor appreciation showed no significant U-shaped relationship with the Autism-Spectrum Quotient subscales of social skills and local details. This study identified ways that autistic traits may influence how people appreciate humor. These findings are discussed in relation to cognitive processes underlying humor appreciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Nagase
- Faculty of Social Welfare, Yamaguchi Prefectural University, Yamaguchi, Japan
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25
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Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Review of Associated Features and Presentation Across Clinical Populations. CURRENT DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s40474-018-0139-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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26
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Fulceri F, Grossi E, Contaldo A, Narzisi A, Apicella F, Parrini I, Tancredi R, Calderoni S, Muratori F. Motor Skills as Moderators of Core Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Preliminary Data From an Exploratory Analysis With Artificial Neural Networks. Front Psychol 2018; 9:2683. [PMID: 30687159 PMCID: PMC6333655 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor disturbances have been widely observed in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and motor problems are currently reported as associated features supporting the diagnosis of ASD in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Studies on this issue reported disturbances in different motor domains, including both gross and fine motor areas as well as coordination, postural control, and standing balance. However, they failed to clearly state whether motor impairments are related to demographical and developmental features of ASD. Both the different methodological approaches assessing motor skills and the heterogeneity in clinical features of participants analyzed have been implicated as contributors to variance in findings. However, the non-linearity of the relationships between variables may account for the inability of the traditional analysis to grasp the core problem suggesting that the "single symptom approach analysis" should be overcome. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are computational adaptive systems inspired by the functioning processes of the human brain particularly adapted to solving non-linear problems. This study aimed to apply the ANNs to reveal the entire spectrum of the relationship between motor skills and clinical variables. Thirty-two male children with ASD [mean age: 48.5 months (SD: 8.8); age range: 30-60 months] were recruited in a tertiary care university hospital. A multidisciplinary comprehensive diagnostic evaluation was associated with a standardized assessment battery for motor skills, the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-Second Edition. Exploratory analyses were performed through the ANNs. The findings revealed that poor motor skills were a common clinical feature of preschoolers with ASD, relating both to the high level of repetitive behaviors and to the low level of expressive language. Moreover, unobvious trends among motor, cognitive and social skills have been detected. In conclusion, motor abnormalities in preschoolers with ASD were widespread, and the degree of impairment may inform clinicians about the severity of ASD core symptoms. Understanding motor disturbances in children with ASD may be relevant to clarify neurobiological basis and ultimately to guide the development of tailored treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Fulceri
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Grossi
- Autism Research Unit, Villa Santa Maria Institute, Tavernerio, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sara Calderoni
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Sara Calderoni, ;
| | - Filippo Muratori
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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27
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Cui T, Wang PP, Liu S, Zhang X. P300 amplitude and latency in autism spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2017; 26:177-190. [PMID: 27299750 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-016-0880-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an early onset neurodevelopmental disorder. Evidence suggests that ASD patients have abnormalities in information processing. Event-related potential (ERP) technique can directly record brain neural activity in real time. P300 is a positive ERP component which can measure the neuroelectrophysiological characteristics of human beings and has the potential to discover the pathological mechanism of ASD. However, P300 studies on ASD patients are incongruent and the disparities may be caused by several factors. By searching PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases, a meta-analysis of P300 component difference between ASD group and typically developed (TD) control group was conducted. Results of amplitude and latency of P3b and P3a from included studies were synthesized. Random effect model was chosen and standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated. Subgroup analysis was used to identify the source of heterogeneity and to test the effect of different experiment factors. A total of 407 ASD patients and 457 TD controls from 32 studies were included in this analysis. Reduced amplitude of P3b was found in ASD group (SMD = -0.505, 95 % CI -0.873, -0.138) compared with TD group, but no difference of P3b latency, P3a amplitude, or P3a latency was found between groups. Subgroup analysis showed that oddball paradigm elicited attenuated P3b amplitude in Pz electrode among ASD subjects. This meta-analysis suggests ASD patients have abnormalities in P300 component, which may represent for deficits in cognition, attention orientation and working memory processing, particularly in the decision-making processing condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingkai Cui
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Peizhong Peter Wang
- Division of Community Health and Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Shengxin Liu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China.
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Developmental neurotoxicity of inhaled ambient ultrafine particle air pollution: Parallels with neuropathological and behavioral features of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Neurotoxicology 2015; 59:140-154. [PMID: 26721665 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2015.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence from both human and animal studies show that brain is a target of air pollution. Multiple epidemiological studies have now linked components of air pollution to diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a linkage with plausibility based on the shared mechanisms of inflammation. Additional plausibility appears to be provided by findings from our studies in mice of exposures from postnatal day (PND) 4-7 and 10-13 (human 3rd trimester equivalent), to concentrated ambient ultrafine (UFP) particles, considered the most reactive component of air pollution, at levels consistent with high traffic areas of major U.S. cities and thus highly relevant to human exposures. These exposures, occurring during a period of marked neuro- and gliogenesis, unexpectedly produced a pattern of developmental neurotoxicity notably similar to multiple hypothesized mechanistic underpinnings of ASD, including its greater impact in males. UFP exposures induced inflammation/microglial activation, reductions in size of the corpus callosum (CC) and associated hypomyelination, aberrant white matter development and/or structural integrity with ventriculomegaly (VM), elevated glutamate and excitatory/inhibitory imbalance, increased amygdala astrocytic activation, and repetitive and impulsive behaviors. Collectively, these findings suggest the human 3rd trimester equivalent as a period of potential vulnerability to neurodevelopmental toxicity to UFP, particularly in males, and point to the possibility that UFP air pollution exposure during periods of rapid neuro- and gliogenesis may be a risk factor not only for ASD, but also for other neurodevelopmental disorders that share features with ASD, such as schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, and periventricular leukomalacia.
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29
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Starkstein S, Gellar S, Parlier M, Payne L, Piven J. High rates of parkinsonism in adults with autism. J Neurodev Disord 2015; 7:29. [PMID: 26322138 PMCID: PMC4553212 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-015-9125-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While it is now recognized that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is typically a life-long condition, there exist only a handful of systematic studies on middle-aged and older adults with this condition. Methods We first performed a structured examination of parkinsonian motor signs in a hypothesis-generating, pilot study (study I) of 19 adults with ASD over 49 years of age. Observing high rates of parkinsonism in those off atypical neuroleptics (2/12, 17 %) in comparison to published population rates for Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism, we examined a second sample of 37 adults with ASD, over 39 years of age, using a structured neurological assessment for parkinsonism. Results Twelve of the 37 subjects (32 %) met the diagnostic criteria for parkinsonism; however, of these, 29 subjects were on atypical neuroleptics, complicating interpretation of the findings. Two of eight (25 %) subjects not taking atypical neuroleptic medications met the criteria for parkinsonism. Combining subjects who were not currently taking atypical neuroleptic medications, across both studies, we conservatively classified 4/20 (20 %) with parkinsonism. Conclusions We find a high frequency of parkinsonism among ASD individuals older than 39 years. If high rates of parkinsonism and potentially Parkinson’s disease are confirmed in subsequent studies of ASD, this observation has important implications for understanding the neurobiology of autism and treatment of manifestations in older adults. Given the prevalence of autism in school-age children, the recognition of its life-long natural history, and the recognition of the aging of western societies, these findings also support the importance of further systematic study of other aspects of older adults with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Starkstein
- Fremantle Hospital, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia Australia ; Autism Association of Western Australia, Western Australia, WA 6008 Australia ; School of Psychiatry, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia Australia
| | - Scott Gellar
- Fremantle Hospital, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia Australia
| | - Morgan Parlier
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 3367, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Leslie Payne
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 3367, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Joseph Piven
- Fremantle Hospital, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia Australia ; Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 3367, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
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30
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Miller HL, Ragozzino ME, Cook EH, Sweeney JA, Mosconi MW. Cognitive set shifting deficits and their relationship to repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2015; 45:805-15. [PMID: 25234483 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-014-2244-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The neurocognitive impairments associated with restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not yet clear. Prior studies indicate that individuals with ASD show reduced cognitive flexibility, which could reflect difficulty shifting from a previously learned response pattern or a failure to maintain a new response set. We examined different error types on a test of set-shifting completed by 60 individuals with ASD and 55 age- and nonverbal IQ-matched controls. Individuals with ASD were able to initially shift sets, but they exhibited difficulty maintaining new response sets. Difficulty with set maintenance was related to increased severity of RRBs. General difficulty maintaining new response sets and a heightened tendency to revert to old preferences may contribute to RRBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haylie L Miller
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, USA
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31
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Attentional and sensory contributions to postural sway in children with autism spectrum disorder. Gait Posture 2015; 42:199-203. [PMID: 26028526 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2015.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Revised: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Postural control is known to depend on sensory and cognitive factors. Little is known about how children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) regulate static balance, and to what extent vision and cognition contribute to the regulation of balance in this group. We compared a group of children with mild ASD and a group of age- and gender-matched controls on various postural tasks, standing on a Wii Balance Board. We tested a sensory disturbance (closing the eyes) and a cognitive disturbance (word memorization) on the control of quiet standing. Analysis of center-of-pressure excursions revealed moderate effects of cognitive load, but clear effects of vision. We found a greater destabilizing effect of closing the eyes (greater postural excursions in the medio-lateral direction) for the ASD group than for controls. No group differences were found on word recall and on a standardized balance test (Movement Assessment Battery for Children; M-ABC2). We suggest that the postural effects reflect tighter coupling between vision and motor adjustments in ASD than in controls, which is consistent with recent suggestions of greater reliance on vision in this group.
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32
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Grados M, Sung HM, Kim S, Srivastava S. Genetic findings in obsessive-compulsive disorder connect to brain-derived neutrophic factor and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways: implications for drug development. Drug Dev Res 2015; 75:372-83. [PMID: 25195581 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Traditional pharmacological approaches to the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are based on affecting serotonergic and dopaminergic transmission in the central nervous system. However, genetic epidemiology findings are pointing to glutamate pathways and developmental genes as etiological in OCD. A review of recent genetic findings in OCD is conducted, and bioinformatics approaches are used to locate pathways relevant to neuroprotection. The OCD susceptibility genes DLGAP1, RYR3, PBX1-MEIS2, LMX1A and candidate genes BDNF and GRIN2B are components of the neuronal growth, differentiation and neurogenesis pathways BDNF-mTOR. These pathways are emerging as a promising area of research for the development of neuroprotective pharmaceuticals. Emergent genetic epidemiologic data on OCD and repetitive behaviors may support new approaches for pharmacological discovery. Neuroprotective approaches that take into consideration glutamate-mediated BDNF-mTOR pathways are suggested by OCD susceptibility genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Grados
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St.-12th floor, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
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33
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Pasiali V, LaGasse AB, Penn SL. The Effect of Musical Attention Control Training (MACT) on Attention Skills of Adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Delays: A Pilot Study. J Music Ther 2014; 51:333-54. [DOI: 10.1093/jmt/thu030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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