1
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Isenstein EL, Freedman EG, Molholm S, Foxe JJ. Somatosensory temporal sensitivity in adults on the autism spectrum: A high-density electrophysiological mapping study using the mismatch negativity (MMN) sensory memory paradigm. Autism Res 2024. [PMID: 38973746 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Atypical reactivity to somatosensory inputs is common in autism spectrum disorder and carries considerable impact on downstream social communication and quality of life. While behavioral and survey work have established differences in the perception of somatosensory information, little has been done to elucidate the underlying neurophysiological processes that drive these characteristics. Here, we implemented a duration-based somatosensory mismatch negativity (MMN) paradigm to examine the role of temporal sensitivity and sensory memory in the processing of vibrotactile information in autistic (n = 30) and neurotypical (n = 30) adults. To capture the variability in responses between groups across a range of duration discrepancies, we compared the electrophysiological responses to frequent standard vibrations (100 ms) and four infrequent deviant vibrations (115, 130, 145, and 160 ms). The same stimuli were used in a follow-up behavioral task to determine active detection of the infrequent vibrations. We found no differences between the two groups with regard to discrimination between standard and deviant vibrations, demonstrating comparable neurologic and behavioral temporal somatosensory perception. However, exploratory analyses yielded subtle differences in amplitude at the N1 and P220 time points. Together, these results indicate that the temporal mechanisms of somatosensory discrimination are conserved in adults on the autism spectrum, though more general somatosensory processing may be affected. We discuss these findings in the broader context of the MMN literature in autism, as well as the potential role of cortical maturity in somatosensory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Isenstein
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Edward G Freedman
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Sophie Molholm
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - John J Foxe
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
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2
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Leung FYN, Stojanovik V, Jiang C, Liu F. Investigating implicit emotion processing in autism spectrum disorder across age groups: A cross-modal emotional priming study. Autism Res 2024; 17:824-837. [PMID: 38488319 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Cumulating evidence suggests that atypical emotion processing in autism may generalize across different stimulus domains. However, this evidence comes from studies examining explicit emotion recognition. It remains unclear whether domain-general atypicality also applies to implicit emotion processing in autism and its implication for real-world social communication. To investigate this, we employed a novel cross-modal emotional priming task to assess implicit emotion processing of spoken/sung words (primes) through their influence on subsequent emotional judgment of faces/face-like objects (targets). We assessed whether implicit emotional priming differed between 38 autistic and 38 neurotypical individuals across age groups as a function of prime and target type. Results indicated no overall group differences across age groups, prime types, and target types. However, differential, domain-specific developmental patterns emerged for the autism and neurotypical groups. For neurotypical individuals, speech but not song primed the emotional judgment of faces across ages. This speech-orienting tendency was not observed across ages in the autism group, as priming of speech on faces was not seen in autistic adults. These results outline the importance of the delicate weighting between speech- versus song-orientation in implicit emotion processing throughout development, providing more nuanced insights into the emotion processing profile of autistic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Y N Leung
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Vesna Stojanovik
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Cunmei Jiang
- Music College, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Liu
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
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3
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Cary E, Pacheco D, Kaplan-Kahn E, McKernan E, Matsuba E, Prieve B, Russo N. Brain Signatures of Early and Late Neural Measures of Auditory Habituation and Discrimination in Autism and Their Relationship to Autistic Traits and Sensory Overresponsivity. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:1344-1360. [PMID: 36626009 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05866-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Sensory differences are included in the DSM-5 criteria of autism for the first time, yet it is unclear how they relate to neural indicators of perception. We studied early brain signatures of perception and examined their relationship to sensory behaviors and autistic traits. Thirteen autistic children and 13 Typically Developing (TD) children matched on age and nonverbal IQ participated in a passive oddball task, during which P1 habituation and P1 and MMN discrimination were evoked by pure tones. Autistic children had less neural habituation than the TD comparison group, and the MMN, but not P1, mapped on to sensory overresponsivity. Findings highlight the significance of temporal and contextual factors in neural information processing as it relates to autistic traits and sensory behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Cary
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, 13244 2340, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Devon Pacheco
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Syracuse University, 621 Skytop Rd. Suite 1200, 13244, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth Kaplan-Kahn
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, 13244 2340, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth McKernan
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, 13244 2340, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Erin Matsuba
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, 13244 2340, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Beth Prieve
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Syracuse University, 621 Skytop Rd. Suite 1200, 13244, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Natalie Russo
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, 13244 2340, Syracuse, NY, USA.
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4
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Sano M, Hirosawa T, Yoshimura Y, Hasegawa C, An KM, Tanaka S, Yaoi K, Naitou N, Kikuchi M. Neural responses to syllable-induced P1m and social impairment in children with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing Peers. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298020. [PMID: 38457397 PMCID: PMC10923473 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
In previous magnetoencephalography (MEG) studies, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been shown to respond differently to speech stimuli than typically developing (TD) children. Quantitative evaluation of this difference in responsiveness may support early diagnosis and intervention for ASD. The objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between syllable-induced P1m and social impairment in children with ASD and TD children. We analyzed 49 children with ASD aged 40-92 months and age-matched 26 TD children. We evaluated their social impairment by means of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and their intelligence ability using the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC). Multiple regression analysis with SRS score as the dependent variable and syllable-induced P1m latency or intensity and intelligence ability as explanatory variables revealed that SRS score was associated with syllable-induced P1m latency in the left hemisphere only in the TD group and not in the ASD group. A second finding was that increased leftward-lateralization of intensity was correlated with higher SRS scores only in the ASD group. These results provide valuable insights but also highlight the intricate nature of neural mechanisms and their relationship with autistic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masuhiko Sano
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Tetsu Hirosawa
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yuko Yoshimura
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
- Faculty of Education, Institute of Human and Social Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Chiaki Hasegawa
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Kyung-Min An
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sanae Tanaka
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Ken Yaoi
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Nobushige Naitou
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Kikuchi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
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Sharma AR, Batra G, Dhir N, Jain A, Modi T, Saini L, Thakur N, Mishra A, Singh RS, Singh A, Singla R, Prakash A, Goyal M, Bhatia A, Medhi B, Modi M. "Comparative evaluation of different chemical agents induced Autism Spectrum Disorder in experimental Wistar rats". Behav Brain Res 2024; 458:114728. [PMID: 37923221 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with uncertain etiology and pathophysiology. Several studies revealed that the commonly used animal models like Valproic Acid (VPA) and Propionic Acid (PPA) do not precisely represent the disease as the human patient does. The current study was conducted on different chemically (VPA, PPA, Poly I:C, Dioxin (2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)) & Chlorpyrifos (CPF)) induced ASD-like animal models and validated the best suitable experimental animal model, which would closely resemble with clinical features of the ASD. This validated model might help to explore the pathophysiology of ASD. This study included rat pups prenatally exposed to VPA, PPA, Poly I:C, Dioxin & CPF within GD9 to GD15 doses. The model groups were validated through developmental and behavioral parameters, Gene Expressions, Oxidative Stress, and Pro-inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory cytokines levels. Developmental and neurobehavioral parameters showed significant changes in model groups compared to the control. In oxidative stress parameters and neuro-inflammatory cytokines levels, model groups exhibited high oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation compared to control groups. Gene expression profile of ASD-related genes showed significant downregulation in model groups compared to the control group. Moreover, the Poly I:C group showed more significant results than other model groups. The comparison of available ASD-like experimental animal models showed that the Poly I:C induced model represented the exact pathophysiology of ASD as the human patient does. Poly I:C was reported in the maternal immune system activation via the inflammatory cytokines pathway, altering embryonic development and causing ASD in neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Raj Sharma
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Gitika Batra
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Neha Dhir
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ashish Jain
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Tanish Modi
- Clinical Trainee, Department of Neurology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | - Lokesh Saini
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Paediatric Neurology, Jodhpur, India
| | - Neetika Thakur
- Department of Endocrinology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Abhishek Mishra
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Department of Biomedical Sciences, USA
| | - Rahul Solomon Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ashutosh Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Rubal Singla
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Department of Biomedical Sciences, USA
| | - Ajay Prakash
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Manoj Goyal
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Alka Bhatia
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Bikash Medhi
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Manish Modi
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
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6
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Isenstein EL, Freedman EG, Molholm S, Foxe JJ. Intact Somatosensory Temporal Sensitivity in Adults on the Autism Spectrum: A High-Density Electrophysiological Mapping Study Using the Mismatch Negativity (MMN) Sensory Memory Paradigm. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.05.578908. [PMID: 38370797 PMCID: PMC10871182 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.05.578908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Atypical reactivity to somatosensory inputs is common in autism spectrum disorder and carries considerable impact on downstream social communication and quality of life. While behavioral and survey work have established differences in the perception of somatosensory information, little has been done to elucidate the underlying neurophysiological processes that drive these characteristics. Here, we implemented a duration-based somatosensory mismatch negativity paradigm to examine the role of temporal sensitivity and sensory memory in the processing of vibrotactile information in autistic (n=30) and neurotypical (n=30) adults. To capture the variability in responses between groups across a range of duration discrepancies, we compared the electrophysiological responses to frequent standard vibrations (100 ms) and four infrequent deviant vibrations (115, 130, 145, and 160 ms). The same stimuli were used in a follow-up behavioral task to determine active detection of the infrequent vibrations. We found no differences between the two groups with regard to discrimination between standard and deviant vibrations, demonstrating comparable neurologic and behavioral temporal somatosensory perception. However, exploratory analyses yielded subtle differences in amplitude at the N1 and P220 time points. Together, these results indicate that the temporal mechanisms of somatosensory discrimination are conserved in adults on the autism spectrum, though more general somatosensory processing may be affected. We discuss these findings in the broader context of the MMN literature in autism, as well as the potential role of cortical maturity in somatosensory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L. Isenstein
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Edward G. Freedman
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Sophie Molholm
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Departments of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - John J. Foxe
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Departments of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
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7
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Tamaoki Y, Pasapula V, Chandler C, Borland MS, Olajubutu OI, Tharakan LS, Engineer CT. Degraded inferior colliculus responses to complex sounds in prenatally exposed VPA rats. J Neurodev Disord 2024; 16:2. [PMID: 38166599 PMCID: PMC10759431 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-023-09514-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often exhibit altered sensory processing and deficits in language development. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) increases the risk for ASD and impairs both receptive and expressive language. Like individuals with ASD, rodents prenatally exposed to VPA exhibit degraded auditory cortical processing and abnormal neural activity to sounds. Disrupted neuronal morphology has been documented in earlier processing areas of the auditory pathway in VPA-exposed rodents, but there are no studies documenting early auditory pathway physiology. Therefore, the objective of this study is to characterize inferior colliculus (IC) responses to different sounds in rats prenatally exposed to VPA compared to saline-exposed rats. METHODS In vivo extracellular multiunit recordings from the inferior colliculus were collected in response to tones, speech sounds, and noise burst trains. RESULTS Our results indicate that the overall response to speech sounds was degraded in VPA-exposed rats compared to saline-exposed controls, but responses to tones and noise burst trains were unaltered. CONCLUSIONS These results are consistent with observations in individuals with autism that neural responses to complex sounds, like speech, are often altered, and lays the foundation for future studies of potential therapeutics to improve auditory processing in the VPA rat model of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Tamaoki
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road BSB11, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
- The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Biomedical Device Center, 800 West Campbell Road BSB11, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
| | - Varun Pasapula
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road BSB11, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Biomedical Device Center, 800 West Campbell Road BSB11, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Collin Chandler
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road BSB11, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Biomedical Device Center, 800 West Campbell Road BSB11, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Michael S Borland
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road BSB11, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Biomedical Device Center, 800 West Campbell Road BSB11, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Olayinka I Olajubutu
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road BSB11, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Biomedical Device Center, 800 West Campbell Road BSB11, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Liza S Tharakan
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road BSB11, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Biomedical Device Center, 800 West Campbell Road BSB11, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Crystal T Engineer
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road BSB11, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Biomedical Device Center, 800 West Campbell Road BSB11, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
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8
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Hisaizumi M, Tantam D. Enhanced sensitivity to pitch perception and its possible relation to language acquisition in autism. AUTISM & DEVELOPMENTAL LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENTS 2024; 9:23969415241248618. [PMID: 38817731 PMCID: PMC11138189 DOI: 10.1177/23969415241248618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Background and aims Fascinations for or aversions to particular sounds are a familiar feature of autism, as is an ability to reproduce another person's utterances, precisely copying the other person's prosody as well as their words. Such observations seem to indicate not only that autistic people can pay close attention to what they hear, but also that they have the ability to perceive the finer details of auditory stimuli. This is consistent with the previously reported consensus that absolute pitch is more common in autistic individuals than in neurotypicals. We take this to suggest that autistic people have perception that allows them to pay attention to fine details. It is important to establish whether or not this is so as autism is often presented as a deficit rather than a difference. We therefore undertook a narrative literature review of studies of auditory perception, in autistic and nonautistic individuals, focussing on any differences in processing linguistic and nonlinguistic sounds. Main contributions We find persuasive evidence that nonlinguistic auditory perception in autistic children differs from that of nonautistic children. This is supported by the additional finding of a higher prevalence of absolute pitch and enhanced pitch discriminating abilities in autistic children compared to neurotypical children. Such abilities appear to stem from atypical perception, which is biased toward local-level information necessary for processing pitch and other prosodic features. Enhanced pitch discriminating abilities tend to be found in autistic individuals with a history of language delay, suggesting possible reciprocity. Research on various aspects of language development in autism also supports the hypothesis that atypical pitch perception may be accountable for observed differences in language development in autism. Conclusions The results of our review of previously published studies are consistent with the hypothesis that auditory perception, and particularly pitch perception, in autism are different from the norm but not always impaired. Detail-oriented pitch perception may be an advantage given the right environment. We speculate that unusually heightened sensitivity to pitch differences may be at the cost of the normal development of the perception of the sounds that contribute most to early language development. Implications The acquisition of speech and language may be a process that normally involves an enhanced perception of speech sounds at the expense of the processing of nonlinguistic sounds, but autistic children may not give speech sounds this same priority.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Digby Tantam
- Middlesex University, Existential Academy, London, UK
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9
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Matsuba ESM, Prieve BA, Cary E, Pacheco D, Madrid A, McKernan E, Kaplan-Kahn E, Russo N. A Preliminary Study Characterizing Subcortical and Cortical Auditory Processing and Their Relation to Autistic Traits and Sensory Features. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:75-92. [PMID: 36227444 PMCID: PMC9559145 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05773-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This study characterizes the subcortical auditory brainstem response (speech-ABR) and cortical auditory processing (P1 and Mismatch Negativity; MMN) to speech sounds and their relationship to autistic traits and sensory features within the same group of autistic children (n = 10) matched on age and non-verbal IQ to their typically developing (TD) peers (n = 21). No speech-ABR differences were noted, but autistic individuals had larger P1 and faster MMN responses. Correlations revealed that larger P1 amplitudes and MMN responses were associated with greater autistic traits and more sensory features. These findings highlight the complexity of the auditory system and its relationships to behaviours in autism, while also emphasizing the importance of measurement and developmental matching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin S. M. Matsuba
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
| | - Beth A. Prieve
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Syracuse University, 1200 Skytop Road, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
| | - Emily Cary
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
| | - Devon Pacheco
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Syracuse University, 1200 Skytop Road, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
| | - Angela Madrid
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Syracuse University, 1200 Skytop Road, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
| | - Elizabeth McKernan
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
| | - Elizabeth Kaplan-Kahn
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
| | - Natalie Russo
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13079 USA
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10
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Blanco B, Lloyd-Fox S, Begum-Ali J, Pirazzoli L, Goodwin A, Mason L, Pasco G, Charman T, Jones EJH, Johnson MH. Cortical responses to social stimuli in infants at elevated likelihood of ASD and/or ADHD: A prospective cross-condition fNIRS study. Cortex 2023; 169:18-34. [PMID: 37847979 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2023.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are highly prevalent neurodevelopmental conditions that often co-occur and present both common and distinct neurodevelopmental profiles. Studying the developmental pathways leading to the emergence of ASD and/or ADHD symptomatology is crucial in understanding neurodiversity and discovering the mechanisms that underpin it. This study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to investigate differences in cortical specialization to social stimuli between 4- to 6-month-old infants at typical and elevated likelihood of ASD and/or ADHD. Results showed that infants at both elevated likelihood of ASD and ADHD had reduced selectivity to vocal sounds in left middle and superior temporal gyrus. Furthermore, infants at elevated likelihood of ASD showed attenuated responses to visual social stimuli in several cortical regions compared to infants at typical likelihood. Individual brain responses to visual social stimuli were associated with later autism traits, but not ADHD traits. These outcomes support our previous observations showing atypical social brain responses in infants at elevated likelihood of ASD and align with later atypical brain responses to social stimuli observed in children and adults with ASD. These findings highlight the importance of characterizing antecedent biomarkers of atypicalities in processing socially relevant information that might contribute to both phenotypic overlap and divergence across ASD and ADHD conditions and their association with the later emergence of behavioural symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borja Blanco
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, UK.
| | | | - Jannath Begum-Ali
- Centre for Brain & Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, UK
| | - Laura Pirazzoli
- Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience, Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy Goodwin
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, UK
| | - Luke Mason
- Centre for Brain & Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, UK; Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, UK
| | - Greg Pasco
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, UK
| | - Tony Charman
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, UK
| | - Emily J H Jones
- Centre for Brain & Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, UK
| | - Mark H Johnson
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, UK; Centre for Brain & Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, UK
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Huang Q, Velthuis H, Pereira AC, Ahmad J, Cooke SF, Ellis CL, Ponteduro FM, Puts NAJ, Dimitrov M, Batalle D, Wong NML, Kowalewski L, Ivin G, Daly E, Murphy DGM, McAlonan GM. Exploratory evidence for differences in GABAergic regulation of auditory processing in autism spectrum disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:320. [PMID: 37852957 PMCID: PMC10584846 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02619-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Altered reactivity and responses to auditory input are core to the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Preclinical models implicate ϒ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in this process. However, the link between GABA and auditory processing in humans (with or without ASD) is largely correlational. As part of a study of potential biosignatures of GABA function in ASD to inform future clinical trials, we evaluated the role of GABA in auditory repetition suppression in 66 adults (n = 28 with ASD). Neurophysiological responses (temporal and frequency domains) to repetitive standard tones and novel deviants presented in an oddball paradigm were compared after double-blind, randomized administration of placebo, 15 or 30 mg of arbaclofen (STX209), a GABA type B (GABAB) receptor agonist. We first established that temporal mismatch negativity was comparable between participants with ASD and those with typical development (TD). Next, we showed that temporal and spectral responses to repetitive standards were suppressed relative to responses to deviants in the two groups, but suppression was significantly weaker in individuals with ASD at baseline. Arbaclofen reversed weaker suppression of spectral responses in ASD but disrupted suppression in TD. A post hoc analysis showed that arbaclofen-elicited shift in suppression was correlated with autistic symptomatology measured using the Autism Quotient across the entire group, though not in the smaller sample of the ASD and TD group when examined separately. Thus, our results confirm: GABAergic dysfunction contributes to the neurophysiology of auditory sensory processing alterations in ASD, and can be modulated by targeting GABAB activity. These GABA-dependent sensory differences may be upstream of more complex autistic phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyun Huang
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
- Research Center for Brain-Computer Interface, Pazhou Lab, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Hester Velthuis
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Andreia C Pereira
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jumana Ahmad
- School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - Samuel F Cooke
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Claire L Ellis
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Francesca M Ponteduro
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nicolaas A J Puts
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Mihail Dimitrov
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Dafnis Batalle
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nichol M L Wong
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lukasz Kowalewski
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Glynis Ivin
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Pharmacy, London, UK
| | - Eileen Daly
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Declan G M Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Gráinne M McAlonan
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
- Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK.
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Ćirović M, Jeličić L, Maksimović S, Fatić S, Marisavljević M, Bošković Matić T, Subotić M. EEG Correlates of Cognitive Functions in a Child with ASD and White Matter Signal Abnormalities: A Case Report with Two-and-a-Half-Year Follow-Up. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2878. [PMID: 37761245 PMCID: PMC10529253 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13182878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This research aimed to examine the EEG correlates of different stimuli processing instances in a child with ASD and white matter signal abnormalities and to investigate their relationship to the results of behavioral tests. The prospective case study reports two and a half years of follow-up data from a child aged 38 to 66 months. Cognitive, speech-language, sensory, and EEG correlates of auditory-verbal and auditory-visual-verbal information processing were recorded during five test periods, and their mutual interrelation was analyzed. EEG findings revealed no functional theta frequency range redistribution in the frontal regions favoring the left hemisphere during speech processing. The results pointed to a positive linear trend in the relative theta frequency range and a negative linear trend in the relative alpha frequency range when listening to and watching the cartoon. There was a statistically significant correlation between EEG signals and behavioral test results. Based on the obtained results, it may be concluded that EEG signals and their association with the results of behavioral tests should be evaluated with certain restraints considering the characteristics of the stimuli during EEG recording.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Ćirović
- Cognitive Neuroscience Department, Research and Development Institute “Life Activities Advancement Institute”, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.Ć.); (S.M.); (S.F.); (M.M.); (M.S.)
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Institute for Experimental Phonetics and Speech Pathology, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ljiljana Jeličić
- Cognitive Neuroscience Department, Research and Development Institute “Life Activities Advancement Institute”, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.Ć.); (S.M.); (S.F.); (M.M.); (M.S.)
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Institute for Experimental Phonetics and Speech Pathology, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Slavica Maksimović
- Cognitive Neuroscience Department, Research and Development Institute “Life Activities Advancement Institute”, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.Ć.); (S.M.); (S.F.); (M.M.); (M.S.)
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Institute for Experimental Phonetics and Speech Pathology, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Saška Fatić
- Cognitive Neuroscience Department, Research and Development Institute “Life Activities Advancement Institute”, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.Ć.); (S.M.); (S.F.); (M.M.); (M.S.)
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Institute for Experimental Phonetics and Speech Pathology, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Maša Marisavljević
- Cognitive Neuroscience Department, Research and Development Institute “Life Activities Advancement Institute”, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.Ć.); (S.M.); (S.F.); (M.M.); (M.S.)
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Institute for Experimental Phonetics and Speech Pathology, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tatjana Bošković Matić
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
- Clinic of Neurology, University Clinical Centre of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Miško Subotić
- Cognitive Neuroscience Department, Research and Development Institute “Life Activities Advancement Institute”, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.Ć.); (S.M.); (S.F.); (M.M.); (M.S.)
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Shan J, Gu Y, Zhang J, Hu X, Wu H, Yuan T, Zhao D. A scoping review of physiological biomarkers in autism. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1269880. [PMID: 37746140 PMCID: PMC10512710 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1269880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by pervasive deficits in social interaction, communication impairments, and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors. This complex disorder is a significant public health concern due to its escalating incidence and detrimental impact on quality of life. Currently, extensive investigations are underway to identify prospective susceptibility or predictive biomarkers, employing a physiological biomarker-based framework. However, knowledge regarding physiological biomarkers in relation to Autism is sparse. We performed a scoping review to explore putative changes in physiological activities associated with behaviors in individuals with Autism. We identified studies published between January 2000 and June 2023 from online databases, and searched keywords included electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), electrodermal activity markers (EDA), eye-tracking markers. We specifically detected social-related symptoms such as impaired social communication in ASD patients. Our results indicated that the EEG/ERP N170 signal has undergone the most rigorous testing as a potential biomarker, showing promise in identifying subgroups within ASD and displaying potential as an indicator of treatment response. By gathering current data from various physiological biomarkers, we can obtain a comprehensive understanding of the physiological profiles of individuals with ASD, offering potential for subgrouping and targeted intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiatong Shan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Brain Health Institute, National Center for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Arts and Sciences, New York University Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunhao Gu
- Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoqing Hu
- Department of Psychology, The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- HKU, Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haiyan Wu
- Center for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and Department of Psychology, Macau, China
| | - Tifei Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Brain Health Institute, National Center for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Di Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Brain Health Institute, National Center for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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K A, Prasad S, Chakrabarty M. Trait anxiety modulates the detection sensitivity of negative affect in speech: an online pilot study. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1240043. [PMID: 37744950 PMCID: PMC10512416 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1240043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Acoustic perception of emotions in speech is relevant for humans to navigate the social environment optimally. While sensory perception is known to be influenced by ambient noise, and bodily internal states (e.g., emotional arousal and anxiety), their relationship to human auditory perception is relatively less understood. In a supervised, online pilot experiment sans the artificially controlled laboratory environment, we asked if the detection sensitivity of emotions conveyed by human speech-in-noise (acoustic signals) varies between individuals with relatively lower and higher levels of subclinical trait-anxiety, respectively. In a task, participants (n = 28) accurately discriminated the target emotion conveyed by the temporally unpredictable acoustic signals (signal to noise ratio = 10 dB), which were manipulated at four levels (Happy, Neutral, Fear, and Disgust). We calculated the empirical area under the curve (a measure of acoustic signal detection sensitivity) based on signal detection theory to answer our questions. A subset of individuals with High trait-anxiety relative to Low in the above sample showed significantly lower detection sensitivities to acoustic signals of negative emotions - Disgust and Fear and significantly lower detection sensitivities to acoustic signals when averaged across all emotions. The results from this pilot study with a small but statistically relevant sample size suggest that trait-anxiety levels influence the overall acoustic detection of speech-in-noise, especially those conveying threatening/negative affect. The findings are relevant for future research on acoustic perception anomalies underlying affective traits and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achyuthanand K
- Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Saurabh Prasad
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Mrinmoy Chakrabarty
- Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
- Centre for Design and New Media, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
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15
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De Felice S, Hatilova A, Trojan F, Tsui I, Hamilton AFDC. Autistic adults benefit from and enjoy learning via social interaction as much as neurotypical adults do. Mol Autism 2023; 14:33. [PMID: 37674207 PMCID: PMC10481576 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00561-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autistic people show poor processing of social signals (i.e. about the social world). But how do they learn via social interaction? METHODS 68 neurotypical adults and 60 autistic adults learned about obscure items (e.g. exotic animals) over Zoom (i) in a live video-call with the teacher, (ii) from a recorded learner-teacher interaction video and (iii) from a recorded teacher-alone video. Data were analysed via analysis of variance and multi-level regression models. RESULTS Live teaching provided the most optimal learning condition, with no difference between groups. Enjoyment was the strongest predictor of learning: both groups enjoyed the live interaction significantly more than other condition and reported similar anxiety levels across conditions. LIMITATIONS Some of the autistic participants were self-diagnosed-however, further analysis where these participants were excluded showed the same results. Recruiting participants over online platforms may have introduced bias in our sample. Future work should investigate learning in social contexts via diverse sources (e.g. schools). CONCLUSIONS These findings advocate for a distinction between learning about the social versus learning via the social: cognitive models of autism should be revisited to consider social interaction not just as a puzzle to decode but rather a medium through which people, including neuro-diverse groups, learn about the world around them. Trial registration Part of this work has been pre-registered before data collection https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/5PGA3.
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Affiliation(s)
- S De Felice
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, Alexandra House, 17-19 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3AZ, UK.
| | - A Hatilova
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, Alexandra House, 17-19 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3AZ, UK
| | - F Trojan
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, Alexandra House, 17-19 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3AZ, UK
| | - I Tsui
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, Alexandra House, 17-19 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3AZ, UK
| | - Antonia F de C Hamilton
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, Alexandra House, 17-19 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3AZ, UK
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Irwin J, Harwood V, Kleinman D, Baron A, Avery T, Turcios J, Landi N. Neural and Behavioral Differences in Speech Perception for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Within an Audiovisual Context. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2023; 66:2390-2403. [PMID: 37390407 PMCID: PMC10468115 DOI: 10.1044/2023_jslhr-22-00661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Reduced use of visible articulatory information on a speaker's face has been implicated as a possible contributor to language deficits in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We employ an audiovisual (AV) phonemic restoration paradigm to measure behavioral performance (button press) and event-related potentials (ERPs) of visual speech perception in children with ASD and their neurotypical peers to assess potential neural substrates that contribute to group differences. METHOD Two sets of speech stimuli, /ba/-"/a/" ("/a/" was created from the /ba/ token by a reducing the initial consonant) and /ba/-/pa/, were presented within an auditory oddball paradigm to children aged 6-13 years with ASD (n = 17) and typical development (TD; n = 33) within two conditions. The AV condition contained a fully visible speaking face; the pixelated (PX) condition included a face, but the mouth and jaw were PX, removing all articulatory information. When articulatory features were present for the /ba/-"/a/" contrast, it was expected that the influence of the visual articulators would facilitate a phonemic restoration effect in which "/a/" would be perceived as /ba/. ERPs were recorded during the experiment while children were required to press a button for the deviant sound for both sets of speech contrasts within both conditions. RESULTS Button press data revealed that TD children were more accurate in discriminating between /ba/-"/a/" and /ba/-/pa/ contrasts in the PX condition relative to the ASD group. ERPs in response to the /ba/-/pa/ contrast within both AV and PX conditions differed between children with ASD and TD children (earlier P300 responses for children with ASD). CONCLUSION Children with ASD differ in the underlying neural mechanisms responsible for speech processing compared with TD peers within an AV context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Irwin
- Department of Psychology, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven
- Haskins Laboratories, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Vanessa Harwood
- Department of Communicative Disorders, University of Rhode Island, Kingston
| | | | - Alisa Baron
- Department of Communicative Disorders, University of Rhode Island, Kingston
| | | | - Jacqueline Turcios
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT
| | - Nicole Landi
- Haskins Laboratories, Yale University, New Haven, CT
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs
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Hong Y, Chen S, Zhou F, Chan A, Tang T. Phonetic entrainment in L2 human-robot interaction: an investigation of children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1128976. [PMID: 37404579 PMCID: PMC10315851 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1128976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Phonetic entrainment is a phenomenon in which people adjust their phonetic features to approach those of their conversation partner. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have been reported to show some deficits in entrainment during their interactions with human interlocutors, though deficits in terms of significant differences from typically developing (TD) controls were not always registered. One reason related to the inconsistencies of whether deficits are detected or not in autistic individuals is that the conversation partner's speech could hardly be controlled, and both the participants and the partners might be adjusting their phonetic features. The variabilities in the speech of conversation partners and various social traits exhibited might make the phonetic entrainment (if any) of the participants less detectable. In this study, we attempted to reduce the variability of the interlocutors by employing a social robot and having it do a goal-directed conversation task with children with and without ASD. Fourteen autistic children and 12 TD children participated the current study in their second language English. Results showed that autistic children showed comparable vowel formants and mean fundamental frequency (f0) entrainment as their TD peers, but they did not entrain their f0 range as the TD group did. These findings suggest that autistic children were capable of exhibiting phonetic entrainment behaviors similar to TD children in vowel formants and f0, particularly in a less complex situation where the speech features and social traits of the interlocutor were controlled. Furthermore, the utilization of a social robot may have increased the interest of these children in phonetic entrainment. On the other hand, entrainment of f0 range was more challenging for these autistic children even in a more controlled situation. This study demonstrates the viability and potential of using human-robot interactions as a novel method to evaluate abilities and deficits in phonetic entrainment in autistic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitian Hong
- Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Si Chen
- Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, Research Centre for Language, Cognition, and Neuroscience, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Research Institute for Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- The HK PolyU-PekingU Research Centre on Chinese Linguistics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fang Zhou
- Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Angel Chan
- Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, Research Centre for Language, Cognition, and Neuroscience, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- The HK PolyU-PekingU Research Centre on Chinese Linguistics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tempo Tang
- Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Mayerle MCCDS, Riesgo R, Gregory L, Borges VMS, Sleifer P. Mismatch Negativity in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2023; 27:e218-e225. [PMID: 37125353 PMCID: PMC10147454 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1768209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have abnormalities in auditory perception and sensitivity. The mismatch negativity (MMN) component of the evoked potential demonstrates a brain detection response to an auditory change due to memory, and enables the identification of changes in the auditory system. Objective To analyze MMN responses in children and adolescents with ASD and compare them with those of a control group. Methods Cross-sectional and comparative study. The sample was composed of 68 children and adolescents, divided into study group (SG), which contained those diagnosed with ASD, and the control group (CG), which contained those with typical development, normal hearing thresholds, and without hearing complaints. All participants were submitted to peripheral and central electrophysiological auditory evaluations. For the electrophysiological auditory evaluation and MMN recording, the electrodes were fixed in the following positions: Fz (active electrode), M1 and M2 (reference electrodes), and on the forehead (ground electrode). Auditory stimuli were presented in both ears simultaneously, with a frequency of 1,000 Hz for the frequent stimulus, and of 2,000 Hz for the rare stimulus, in an intensity of 80 dBNA. Results Latency and amplitude values were increased in the SG, with a statistically significant difference in comparison with the CG. In the MMN analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in the comparison between right and left ears and between genders. Conclusion Children and adolescents with ASD had higher latency and amplitude values in the MMN component than the individuals in the CG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Clara Clack da Silva Mayerle
- Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Address for correspondence Maria Clara Clack da Silva Mayerle, Bachelor Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto AlegrePorto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90035-003Brazil
| | - Rudimar Riesgo
- Departamento de Pediatria, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Letícia Gregory
- Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Viviann Magalhães Silva Borges
- Departamento de Saúde e Comunicação Humana, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Pricila Sleifer
- Departamento de Saúde e Comunicação Humana, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Cardon G, Cate M, Cordingley S, Bown B. Auditory Brainstem Response in Autistic Children: Implications for Sensory Processing. HEARING, BALANCE AND COMMUNICATION 2023; 21:224-232. [PMID: 38223460 PMCID: PMC10786617 DOI: 10.1080/21695717.2023.2181558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Autistic individuals frequently experience sensory processing difficulties. Such difficulties can significantly impact important functions and quality of life. We are only beginning to understand the neural mechanisms of atypical sensory processing. However, one established way to measure aspects of auditory function is the auditory brainstem response (ABR). While ABR has been primarily hypothesized thus far as a means of early detection/diagnosis in autism, it has the potential to aid in examining sensory processing in this population. Method Thus, we investigated standard ABR waveform characteristics in age-matched groups of autistic and typically developing children during various stimulus and intensity conditions. We also examined within ear waveform cross correlations and inter-aural cross correlations (IACC) to assess replicability and synchrony of participants' ABRs, which was a novel approach to ABR analysis in this population. Results We observed longer peak latencies (esp. wave III and V) and interpeak latencies in the autism and typically developing groups in different conditions. There were no statistically significant results in cross correlation or IACC. Conclusions These results suggest that brainstem auditory function may differ slightly, but is mostly similar, between autistic and typically developing children. We discuss these findings in terms of their implications for sensory processing and future utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett Cardon
- Brigham Young University, Department of Communication Disorders, Provo, UT
| | - Madelyn Cate
- Brigham Young University, Department of Communication Disorders, Provo, UT
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Yamamuro K. Near-infrared spectroscopy in child and adolescent neurodevelopmental disorders. PCN REPORTS : PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES 2022; 1:e59. [PMID: 38868653 PMCID: PMC11114441 DOI: 10.1002/pcn5.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive optical technique that uses the near-infrared spectrum for functional neuroimaging by measuring oxygenation and hemodynamic changes in the cerebral cortex. The advantages of NIRS include its portability and ease of application, which allows for testing with the subject in natural positions, such as sitting or standing. Since 1994, NIRS has been increasingly used to conduct functional activation studies on different psychiatric disorders, most prominently schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and neurodevelopmental disorders. However, limited information on its use among child and adolescent patients is available. We herein review recent findings obtained using NIRS measurements of the brain during cognitive tasks in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Tourette's disorder. This will facilitate evaluations of the causation and treatment of prefrontal cortex dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiko Yamamuro
- Department of PsychiatryNara Medical University School of MedicineKashiharaJapan
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21
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Falck-Ytter T, Kleberg JL, Portugal AM, Thorup E. Social Attention: Developmental Foundations and Relevance for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2022:S0006-3223(22)01695-X. [PMID: 36639295 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The use of the term "social attention" (SA) in the cognitive neuroscience and developmental psychopathology literature has increased exponentially in recent years, in part motivated by the aim to understand the early development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Unfortunately, theoretical discussions around the term have lagged behind its various uses. Here, we evaluate SA through a review of key candidate SA phenotypes emerging early in life, from newborn gaze cueing and preference for face-like configurations to later emerging skills such as joint attention. We argue that most of the considered SA phenotypes are unlikely to represent unique socioattentional processes and instead have to be understood in the broader context of bottom-up and emerging top-down (domain-general) attention. Some types of SA behaviors (e.g., initiation of joint attention) are linked to the early development of ASD, but this may reflect differences in social motivation rather than attention per se. Several SA candidates are not linked to ASD early in life, including the ones that may represent uniquely socioattentional processes (e.g., orienting to faces, predicting others' manual action goals). Although SA may be a useful superordinate category under which one can organize certain research questions, the widespread use of the term without proper definition is problematic. Characterizing gaze patterns and visual attention in social contexts in infants at elevated likelihood of ASD may facilitate early detection, but conceptual clarity regarding the underlying processes at play is needed to sharpen research questions and identify potential targets for early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terje Falck-Ytter
- Development and Neurodiversity Lab, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region, Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden; Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Johan Lundin Kleberg
- Rare Diseases Research Group, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ana Maria Portugal
- Development and Neurodiversity Lab, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region, Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emilia Thorup
- Development and Neurodiversity Lab, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Psychology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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22
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Alispahic S, Pellicano E, Cutler A, Antoniou M. Auditory perceptual learning in autistic adults. Autism Res 2022; 15:1495-1507. [PMID: 35789543 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The automatic retuning of phoneme categories to better adapt to the speech of a novel talker has been extensively documented across various (neurotypical) populations, including both adults and children. However, no studies have examined auditory perceptual learning effects in populations atypical in perceptual, social, and language processing for communication, such as populations with autism. Employing a classic lexically-guided perceptual learning paradigm, the present study investigated perceptual learning effects in Australian English autistic and non-autistic adults. The findings revealed that automatic attunement to existing phoneme categories was not activated in the autistic group in the same manner as for non-autistic control subjects. Specifically, autistic adults were able to both successfully discern lexical items and to categorize speech sounds; however, they did not show effects of perceptual retuning to talkers. These findings may have implications for the application of current sensory theories (e.g., Bayesian decision theory) to speech and language processing by autistic individuals. LAY SUMMARY: Lexically guided perceptual learning assists in the disambiguation of speech from a novel talker. The present study established that while Australian English autistic adult listeners were able to successfully discern lexical items and categorize speech sounds in their native language, perceptual flexibility in updating speaker-specific phonemic knowledge when exposed to a novel talker was not available. Implications for speech and language processing by autistic individuals as well as current sensory theories are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samra Alispahic
- The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Pellicano
- Department of Educational Studies, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kindom
| | - Anne Cutler
- The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Language Comprehension Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language, Australia
| | - Mark Antoniou
- The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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23
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Zhao S, Liu Y, Wei K. Pupil-Linked Arousal Response Reveals Aberrant Attention Regulation among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Neurosci 2022; 42:5427-5437. [PMID: 35641188 PMCID: PMC9270919 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0223-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that is characterized by difficulties with social interaction and interpersonal communication. It has been argued that abnormal attentional function to exogenous stimuli precedes and contributes to the core ASD symptoms. Notably, the locus ceruleus (LC) and its noradrenergic projections throughout the brain modulate attentional function, but the extent to which this locus ceruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system influences attention in individuals with ASD, who frequently exhibit dysregulated alerting and attention orienting, is unknown. We examined dynamic attention control in girls and boys with ASD at rest using the pupil dilation response (PDR) as a noninvasive measure of LC-NE activity. When gender- and age-matched neurotypical participants were passively exposed to an auditory stream, their PDR decreased for recurrent stimuli but remained sensitive to surprising deviant stimuli. In contrast, children with ASD showed less habituation to recurrent stimuli as well as a diminished phasic response to deviants, particularly those containing social information. Their tonic habituation impairment predicts their phasic orienting impairment, and both impairments correlated with the severity of ASD symptom. Because of the fact that these pupil-linked responses are observed when individuals passively listen without any task engagement, our findings imply that the intricate and dynamic attention allocation mechanism, mediated by the subcortical LC-NE system, is impaired in ASD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Autistic individuals show attentional abnormalities to even simple sensory inputs, which emerge even before formal diagnosis. One possible mechanism behind these abnormalities is a malfunctioning pacemaker of their attention system, the locus ceruleus-norepinephrine pathway. Here we found, according to the pupillary response (a noradrenergic activity proxy), autistic children are hypersensitive to repeated sounds but hyposensitive to surprising deviant sounds when compared with age-matched controls. Importantly, hypersensitivity to repetitions predicts hyposensitivity to deviant sounds, and both abnormalities positively correlate to the severity of autistic symptoms. This provides strong evidence that autistic children have faulty noradrenergic regulation, which might underly the attentional atypicalities previously evidenced in various cortical responses in autistic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Zhao
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6AE, United Kingdom
| | - Yajie Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100080, China
- Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Kunlin Wei
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100080, China
- Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing 100080, China
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24
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Rudling M, Nyström P, Bölte S, Falck-Ytter T. Larger pupil dilation to nonsocial sounds in infants with subsequent autism diagnosis. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2022; 63:793-801. [PMID: 34519369 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies of infants with an elevated likelihood of autism spectrum disorder can identify basic developmental processes that are associated with subsequently emerging clinical symptoms. Atypical responsiveness to sounds in infancy is such a potential early marker of autism. Here, we used pupillometry to quantify reactivity to social and nonsocial sounds in infants with a subsequent diagnosis. Previous research suggest that pupil dilation reflects attentional alerting, and link it to the locus coeruleus norepinephrine system. METHODS We measured pupil dilation responses to child-directed speech and the sound of running water; sounds infants often hear in their everyday life. The final sample consisted of 99 ten-month-old infants (52 girls), of whom 68 had an elevated likelihood of autism and 31 were typically developing low-likelihood infants. At follow-up (36 months of age), 18 children in the elevated-likelihood group were diagnosed with autism. RESULTS Compared to infants without diagnosis, the infants who were subsequently diagnosed with autism had larger pupil dilation when listening to nonsocial sounds, while reactivity to speech was strikingly similar between groups. In the total sample, more pupil dilation to the nonsocial sound was associated with higher levels of autistic symptoms. We also found that on a trial-by-trial basis, across all conditions and groups, more pupil dilation was associated with making fewer gaze shifts. CONCLUSIONS This study did not find evidence of atypical pupillary reactivity to child-directed speech early in life in autism. Instead, the results suggest that certain nonsocial sounds elicit atypically strong alerting responses in infants with a subsequent autism diagnosis. These findings may have important theoretical and clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Rudling
- Development and Neurodiversity Lab, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Pär Nyström
- Uppsala Child and Babylab, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sven Bölte
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Curtin Autism Research Group, School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Terje Falck-Ytter
- Development and Neurodiversity Lab, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Women's and Children's Health, Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study (SCAS), Uppsala, Sweden
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25
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Haigh SM, Brosseau P, Eack SM, Leitman DI, Salisbury DF, Behrmann M. Hyper-Sensitivity to Pitch and Poorer Prosody Processing in Adults With Autism: An ERP Study. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:844830. [PMID: 35693971 PMCID: PMC9174755 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.844830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism typically experience a range of symptoms, including abnormal sensory sensitivities. However, there are conflicting reports on the sensory profiles that characterize the sensory experience in autism that often depend on the type of stimulus. Here, we examine early auditory processing to simple changes in pitch and later auditory processing of more complex emotional utterances. We measured electroencephalography in 24 adults with autism and 28 controls. First, tones (1046.5Hz/C6, 1108.7Hz/C#6, or 1244.5Hz/D#6) were repeated three times or nine times before the pitch changed. Second, utterances of delight or frustration were repeated three or six times before the emotion changed. In response to the simple pitched tones, the autism group exhibited larger mismatch negativity (MMN) after nine standards compared to controls and produced greater trial-to-trial variability (TTV). In response to the prosodic utterances, the autism group showed smaller P3 responses when delight changed to frustration compared to controls. There was no significant correlation between ERPs to pitch and ERPs to prosody. Together, this suggests that early auditory processing is hyper-sensitive in autism whereas later processing of prosodic information is hypo-sensitive. The impact the different sensory profiles have on perceptual experience in autism may be key to identifying behavioral treatments to reduce symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Haigh
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Neuroscience, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Pat Brosseau
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Shaun M. Eack
- School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - David I. Leitman
- Division of Translational Research, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Dean F. Salisbury
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Marlene Behrmann
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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26
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Emmons KA, Lee AKC, Estes A, Dager S, Larson E, McCloy DR, St. John T, Lau BK. Auditory Attention Deployment in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2022; 52:1752-1761. [PMID: 34013478 PMCID: PMC8860962 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05076-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Difficulty listening in noisy environments is a common complaint of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the mechanisms underlying such auditory processing challenges are unknown. This preliminary study investigated auditory attention deployment in adults with ASD. Participants were instructed to maintain or switch attention between two simultaneous speech streams in three conditions: location (co-located versus ± 30° separation), voice (same voice versus male-female contrast), and both cues together. Results showed that individuals with ASD can selectively direct attention using location or voice cues, but performance was best when both cues were present. In comparison to neurotypical adults, overall performance was less accurate across all conditions. These findings warrant further investigation into auditory attention deployment differences in individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adrian KC Lee
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA,Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Box 357988, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Annette Estes
- UW Autism Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA,Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stephen Dager
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Eric Larson
- Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Box 357988, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Daniel R. McCloy
- Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Box 357988, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Tanya St. John
- UW Autism Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Bonnie K. Lau
- Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Box 357988, Seattle, WA 98195, USA,Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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27
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Leung FYN, Sin J, Dawson C, Ong JH, Zhao C, Veić A, Liu F. Emotion recognition across visual and auditory modalities in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2021.101000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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28
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Degraded cortical temporal processing in the valproic acid-induced rat model of autism. Neuropharmacology 2022; 209:109000. [PMID: 35182575 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Hearing disorders, such as abnormal speech perception, are frequently reported in individuals with autism. However, the mechanisms underlying these auditory-associated signature deficits in autism remain largely unknown. In this study, we documented significant behavioral impairments in the sound temporal rate discrimination task for rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA), a well-validated animal model for studying the pathology of autism. In parallel, there was a large-scale degradation in temporal information-processing in their primary auditory cortices (A1) at both levels of spiking outputs and synaptic inputs. Substantially increased spine density of excitatory neurons and decreased numbers of parvalbumin- and somatostatin-labeled inhibitory inter-neurons were also recorded in the A1 after VPA exposure. Given the fact that cortical temporal processing of sound is associated with speech perception in humans, these results in the animal model of VPA exposure provide insight into a possible neurological mechanism underlying auditory and language-related deficits in individuals with autism.
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29
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Bharadwaj H, Mamashli F, Khan S, Singh R, Joseph RM, Losh A, Pawlyszyn S, McGuiggan NM, Graham S, Hämäläinen MS, Kenet T. Cortical signatures of auditory object binding in children with autism spectrum disorder are anomalous in concordance with behavior and diagnosis. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001541. [PMID: 35167585 PMCID: PMC8884487 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Organizing sensory information into coherent perceptual objects is fundamental to everyday perception and communication. In the visual domain, indirect evidence from cortical responses suggests that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have anomalous figure-ground segregation. While auditory processing abnormalities are common in ASD, especially in environments with multiple sound sources, to date, the question of scene segregation in ASD has not been directly investigated in audition. Using magnetoencephalography, we measured cortical responses to unattended (passively experienced) auditory stimuli while parametrically manipulating the degree of temporal coherence that facilitates auditory figure-ground segregation. Results from 21 children with ASD (aged 7-17 years) and 26 age- and IQ-matched typically developing children provide evidence that children with ASD show anomalous growth of cortical neural responses with increasing temporal coherence of the auditory figure. The documented neurophysiological abnormalities did not depend on age, and were reflected both in the response evoked by changes in temporal coherence of the auditory scene and in the associated induced gamma rhythms. Furthermore, the individual neural measures were predictive of diagnosis (83% accuracy) and also correlated with behavioral measures of ASD severity and auditory processing abnormalities. These findings offer new insight into the neural mechanisms underlying auditory perceptual deficits and sensory overload in ASD, and suggest that temporal-coherence-based auditory scene analysis and suprathreshold processing of coherent auditory objects may be atypical in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Bharadwaj
- Department of Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Fahimeh Mamashli
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sheraz Khan
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ravinderjit Singh
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Robert M. Joseph
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ainsley Losh
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Stephanie Pawlyszyn
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Nicole M. McGuiggan
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Steven Graham
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Matti S. Hämäläinen
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tal Kenet
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
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30
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Kadlaskar G, Bergmann S, McNally Keehn R, Seidl A, Keehn B. Electrophysiological Measures of Tactile and Auditory Processing in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 15:729270. [PMID: 35002650 PMCID: PMC8733620 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.729270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral differences in responding to tactile and auditory stimuli are widely reported in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the neural mechanisms underlying distinct tactile and auditory reactivity patterns in ASD remain unclear with theories implicating differences in both perceptual and attentional processes. The current study sought to investigate (1) the neural indices of early perceptual and later attentional factors underlying tactile and auditory processing in children with and without ASD, and (2) the relationship between neural indices of tactile and auditory processing and ASD symptomatology. Participants included 14, 6–12-year-olds with ASD and 14 age- and non-verbal IQ matched typically developing (TD) children. Children participated in an event-related potential (ERP) oddball paradigm during which they watched a silent video while being presented with tactile and auditory stimuli (i.e., 80% standard speech sound/a/; 10% oddball speech sound/i/; 10% novel vibrotactile stimuli on the fingertip with standard speech sound/a/). Children’s early and later ERP responses to tactile (P1 and N2) and auditory stimuli (P1, P3a, and P3b) were examined. Non-parametric analyses showed that children with ASD displayed differences in early perceptual processing of auditory (i.e., lower amplitudes at central region of interest), but not tactile, stimuli. Analysis of later attentional components did not show differences in response to tactile and auditory stimuli in the ASD and TD groups. Together, these results suggest that differences in auditory responsivity patterns could be related to perceptual factors in children with ASD. However, despite differences in caregiver-reported sensory measures, children with ASD did not differ in their neural reactivity to infrequent touch-speech stimuli compared to TD children. Nevertheless, correlational analyses confirmed that inter-individual differences in neural responsivity to tactile and auditory stimuli were related to social skills in all children. Finally, we discuss how the paradigm and stimulus type used in the current study may have impacted our results. These findings have implications for everyday life, where individual differences in responding to tactile and auditory stimuli may impact social functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Girija Kadlaskar
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Sophia Bergmann
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Rebecca McNally Keehn
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Amanda Seidl
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Brandon Keehn
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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31
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Key AP, D'Ambrose Slaboch K. Speech Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Integrative Review of Auditory Neurophysiology Findings. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2021; 64:4192-4212. [PMID: 34570613 PMCID: PMC9132155 DOI: 10.1044/2021_jslhr-20-00738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Investigations into the nature of communication disorders in autistic individuals increasingly evaluate neural responses to speech stimuli. This integrative review aimed to consolidate the available data related to speech and language processing across levels of stimulus complexity (from single speech sounds to sentences) and to relate it to the current theories of autism. Method An electronic database search identified peer-reviewed articles using event-related potentials or magnetoencephalography to investigate auditory processing from single speech sounds to sentences in autistic children and adults varying in language and cognitive abilities. Results Atypical neural responses in autistic persons became more prominent with increasing stimulus and task complexity. Compared with their typically developing peers, autistic individuals demonstrated mostly intact sensory responses to single speech sounds, diminished spontaneous attentional orienting to spoken stimuli, specific difficulties with categorical speech sound discrimination, and reduced processing of semantic content. Atypical neural responses were more often observed in younger autistic participants and in those with concomitant language disorders. Conclusions The observed differences in neural responses to speech stimuli suggest that communication difficulties in autistic individuals are more consistent with the reduced social interest than the auditory dysfunction explanation. Current limitations and future directions for research are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra P. Key
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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32
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Mansour Y, Burchell A, Kulesza RJ. Central Auditory and Vestibular Dysfunction Are Key Features of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Integr Neurosci 2021; 15:743561. [PMID: 34658804 PMCID: PMC8513787 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2021.743561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive behaviors, poor social skills, and difficulties with communication. Beyond these core signs and symptoms, the majority of subjects with ASD have some degree of auditory and vestibular dysfunction. Dysfunction in these sensory modalities is significant as normal cognitive development depends on an accurate representation of our environment. The hearing difficulties in ASD range from deafness to hypersensitivity and subjects with ASD have abnormal sound-evoked brainstem reflexes and brainstem auditory evoked potentials. Vestibular dysfunction in ASD includes postural instability, gait dysfunction, and impaired gaze. Untreated vestibular dysfunction in children can lead to delayed milestones such as sitting and walking and poor motor coordination later in life. Histopathological studies have revealed that subjects with ASD have significantly fewer neurons in the auditory hindbrain and surviving neurons are smaller and dysmorphic. These findings are consistent with auditory dysfunction. Further, the cerebellum was one of the first brain structures implicated in ASD and studies have revealed loss of Purkinje cells and the presence of ectopic neurons. Together, these studies suggest that normal auditory and vestibular function play major roles in the development of language and social abilities, and dysfunction in these systems may contribute to the core symptoms of ASD. Further, auditory and vestibular dysfunction in children may be overlooked or attributed to other neurodevelopmental disorders. Herein we review the literature on auditory and vestibular dysfunction in ASD. Based on these results we developed a brainstem model of central auditory and vestibular dysfunction in ASD and propose that simple, non-invasive but quantitative testing of hearing and vestibular function be added to newborn screening protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusra Mansour
- Department of Otolaryngology, Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Anatomy, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA, United States
| | - Alyson Burchell
- Department of Anatomy, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA, United States
| | - Randy J. Kulesza
- Department of Anatomy, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA, United States
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Côté V, Knoth IS, Agbogba K, Vannasing P, Côté L, Major P, Michaud JL, Barlaam F, Lippé S. Differential auditory brain response abnormalities in two intellectual disability conditions: SYNGAP1 mutations and Down syndrome. Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 132:1802-1812. [PMID: 34130248 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.03.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Altered sensory processing is common in intellectual disability (ID). Here, we study electroencephalographic responses to auditory stimulation in human subjects presenting a rare condition (mutations in SYNGAP1) which causes ID, epilepsy and autism. METHODS Auditory evoked potentials, time-frequency and inter-trial coherence analyses were used to compare subjects with SYNGAP1 mutations with Down syndrome (DS) and neurotypical (NT) participants (N = 61 ranging from three to 19 years of age). RESULTS Altered synchronization in the brain responses to sound were found in both ID groups. The SYNGAP1 mutations group showed less phase-locking in early time windows and lower frequency bands compared to NT, and in later time windows compared to NT and DS. Time-frequency analysis showed more power in beta-gamma in the SYNGAP1 group compared to NT participants. CONCLUSIONS This study indicated reduced synchronization as well as more high frequencies power in SYNGAP1 mutations, while maintained synchronization was found in the DS group. These results might reflect dysfunctional sensory information processing caused by excitation/inhibition imbalance, or an imperfect compensatory mechanism in SYNGAP1 mutations individuals. SIGNIFICANCE Our study is the first to reveal brain response abnormalities in auditory sensory processing in SYNGAP1 mutations individuals, that are distinct from DS, another ID condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Côté
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Québec, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Inga S Knoth
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | - Lucie Côté
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Philippe Major
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Pediatrics and Neurosciences, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jacques L Michaud
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Pediatrics and Neurosciences, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Fanny Barlaam
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sarah Lippé
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Québec, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Rotschafer SE. Auditory Discrimination in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:651209. [PMID: 34211363 PMCID: PMC8239241 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.651209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasingly common with 1 in 59 children in the United States currently meeting the diagnostic criteria. Altered sensory processing is typical in ASD, with auditory sensitivities being especially common; in particular, people with ASD frequently show heightened sensitivity to environmental sounds and a poor ability to tolerate loud sounds. These sensitivities may contribute to impairments in language comprehension and to a worsened ability to distinguish relevant sounds from background noise. Event-related potential tests have found that individuals with ASD show altered cortical activity to both simple and speech-like sounds, which likely contribute to the observed processing impairments. Our goal in this review is to provide a description of ASD-related changes to the auditory system and how those changes contribute to the impairments seen in sound discrimination, sound-in-noise performance, and language processing. In particular, we emphasize how differences in the degree of cortical activation and in temporal processing may contribute to errors in sound discrimination.
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Alho J, Bharadwaj H, Khan S, Mamashli F, Perrachione TK, Losh A, McGuiggan NM, Joseph RM, Hämäläinen MS, Kenet T. Altered maturation and atypical cortical processing of spoken sentences in autism spectrum disorder. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 203:102077. [PMID: 34033856 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with widespread receptive language impairments, yet the neural mechanisms underlying these deficits are poorly understood. Neuroimaging has shown that processing of socially-relevant sounds, including speech and non-speech, is atypical in ASD. However, it is unclear how the presence of lexical-semantic meaning affects speech processing in ASD. Here, we recorded magnetoencephalography data from individuals with ASD (N = 22, ages 7-17, 4 females) and typically developing (TD) peers (N = 30, ages 7-17, 5 females) during unattended listening to meaningful auditory speech sentences and meaningless jabberwocky sentences. After adjusting for age, ASD individuals showed stronger responses to meaningless jabberwocky sentences than to meaningful speech sentences in the same left temporal and parietal language regions where TD individuals exhibited stronger responses to meaningful speech. Maturational trajectories of meaningful speech responses were atypical in temporal, but not parietal, regions in ASD. Temporal responses were associated with ASD severity, while parietal responses were associated with aberrant involuntary attentional shifting in ASD. Our findings suggest a receptive speech processing dysfunction in ASD, wherein unattended meaningful speech elicits abnormal engagement of the language system, while unattended meaningless speech, filtered out in TD individuals, engages the language system through involuntary attention capture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jussi Alho
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Hari Bharadwaj
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, and Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Sheraz Khan
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fahimeh Mamashli
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tyler K Perrachione
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ainsley Losh
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Graduate School of Education, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Nicole M McGuiggan
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert M Joseph
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matti S Hämäläinen
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tal Kenet
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Tillmann J, Tuomainen J, Swettenham J. The Effect of Visual Perceptual Load on Auditory Awareness of Social vs. Non-social Stimuli in Individuals with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 51:1028-1038. [PMID: 32613484 PMCID: PMC7985111 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04587-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the effect of increasing visual perceptual load on auditory awareness for social and non-social stimuli in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD, n = 63) and typically developing (TD, n = 62) adolescents. Using an inattentional deafness paradigm, a socially meaningful ('Hi') or a non-social (neutral tone) critical stimulus (CS) was unexpectedly presented under high and low load. For the social CS both groups continued to show high awareness rates as load increased. Awareness rates for the non-social stimulus were reduced when load increased for the TD, but not the ASD group. The findings indicate enhanced capacity for non-social stimuli in ASD compared to TD, and a special attentional status for social stimuli in the TD group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Tillmann
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
- Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement, and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Jyrki Tuomainen
- Speech, Hearing & Phonetic Sciences, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - John Swettenham
- Department of Language and Cognition, University College London, London, UK
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Jorgensen AR, Whitehouse AJO, Fox AM, Maybery MT. Delayed cortical processing of auditory stimuli in children with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis of electrophysiological studies. Brain Cogn 2021; 150:105709. [PMID: 33774338 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2021.105709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Several researchers have hypothesised that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show encoding delays in their obligatory event-related potentials (ERPs)/ event-related fields (ERFs) for low-level auditory information compared to neurotypical (NT) samples. However, empirical research has yielded varied findings, such as low-level auditory processing in ASD samples being unimpaired, superior, or impaired compared to NT samples. Diverse outcomes have also been reported for studies investigating ASD-NT differences in functional lateralisation of delays. The lack of consistency across studies has prevented a comprehensive understanding of the overall effects in the autistic population. Therefore, this meta-analysis compared long-latency ERPs and ERFs produced by autistic and NT individuals to non-linguistic auditory stimuli to test, firstly, the robustness of auditory processing differences and, secondly, whether these differences are observed in one or both hemispheres. Nine articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analytic results indicated that autistic individuals demonstrate bilaterally delayed P1/ M50 peaks and lateralised delays in the right but not left hemisphere N1/ M100 peak. These results further inform our understanding of auditory processing and lateralisation across the autism spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna R Jorgensen
- School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, M304, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
| | - Andrew J O Whitehouse
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Northern Entrance, Perth Children's Hospital, 15 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Allison M Fox
- School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, M304, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Murray T Maybery
- School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, M304, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
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38
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Aberrant auditory system and its developmental implications for autism. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2021; 64:861-878. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-020-1863-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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He JL, Wodka E, Tommerdahl M, Edden RAE, Mikkelsen M, Mostofsky SH, Puts NAJ. Disorder-specific alterations of tactile sensitivity in neurodevelopmental disorders. Commun Biol 2021; 4:97. [PMID: 33483581 PMCID: PMC7822903 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01592-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations of tactile processing have long been identified in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the extent to which these alterations are disorder-specific, rather than disorder-general, and how they relate to the core symptoms of each disorder, remains unclear. We measured and compared tactile detection, discrimination, and order judgment thresholds between a large sample of children with ASD, ADHD, ASD + ADHD combined and typically developing controls. The pattern of results suggested that while difficulties with tactile detection and order judgement were more common in children with ADHD, difficulties with tactile discrimination were more common in children with ASD. Interestingly, in our subsequent correlation analyses between tactile perception and disorder-specific clinical symptoms, tactile detection and order judgment correlated exclusively with the core symptoms of ADHD, while tactile discrimination correlated exclusively with the symptoms of ASD. When taken together, these results suggest that disorder-specific alterations of lower-level sensory processes exist and are specifically related to higher-level clinical symptoms of each disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason L He
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AB, UK
| | - Ericka Wodka
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Mark Tommerdahl
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Richard A E Edden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Mark Mikkelsen
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Stewart H Mostofsky
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Nicolaas A J Puts
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AB, UK.
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40
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Newman RS, Kirby LA, Von Holzen K, Redcay E. Read my lips! Perception of speech in noise by preschool children with autism and the impact of watching the speaker's face. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:4. [PMID: 33402099 PMCID: PMC7786476 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-020-09348-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adults and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders show greater difficulties comprehending speech in the presence of noise. Moreover, while neurotypical adults use visual cues on the mouth to help them understand speech in background noise, differences in attention to human faces in autism may affect use of these visual cues. No work has yet examined these skills in toddlers with ASD, despite the fact that they are frequently faced with noisy, multitalker environments. Methods Children aged 2-5 years, both with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD), saw pairs of images in a preferential looking study and were instructed to look at one of the two objects. Sentences were presented in the presence of quiet or another background talker (noise). On half of the trials, the face of the target person speaking was presented, while half had no face present. Growth-curve modeling was used to examine the time course of children’s looking to the appropriate vs. opposite image. Results Noise impaired performance for both children with ASD and their age- and language-matched peers. When there was no face present on the screen, the effect of noise was generally similar across groups with and without ASD. But when the face was present, the noise had a more detrimental effect on children with ASD than their language-matched peers, suggesting neurotypical children were better able to use visual cues on the speaker’s face to aid performance. Moreover, those children with ASD who attended more to the speaker’s face showed better listening performance in the presence of noise. Conclusions Young children both with and without ASD show poorer performance comprehending speech in the presence of another talker than in quiet. However, results suggest that neurotypical children may be better able to make use of face cues to partially counteract the effects of noise. Children with ASD varied in their use of face cues, but those children who spent more time attending to the face of the target speaker appeared less disadvantaged by the presence of background noise, indicating a potential path for future interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rochelle S Newman
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland, 100 Lefrak Hall, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
| | - Laura A Kirby
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland, 100 Lefrak Hall, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Katie Von Holzen
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland, 100 Lefrak Hall, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Elizabeth Redcay
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland, 100 Lefrak Hall, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
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Knight EJ, Oakes L, Hyman SL, Freedman EG, Foxe JJ. Individuals With Autism Have No Detectable Deficit in Neural Markers of Prediction Error When Presented With Auditory Rhythms of Varied Temporal Complexity. Autism Res 2020; 13:2058-2072. [PMID: 32881408 PMCID: PMC9073708 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The brain's ability to encode temporal patterns and predict upcoming events is critical for speech perception and other aspects of social communication. Deficits in predictive coding may contribute to difficulties with social communication and overreliance on repetitive predictable environments in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Using a mismatch negativity (MMN) task involving rhythmic tone sequences of varying complexity, we tested the hypotheses that (1) individuals with ASD have reduced MMN response to auditory stimuli that deviate in presentation timing from expected patterns, particularly as pattern complexity increases and (2) amplitude of MMN signal is inversely correlated with level of impairment in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Electroencephalography was acquired as individuals (age 6-21 years) listened to repeated five-rhythm tones that varied in the Shannon entropy of the rhythm across three conditions (zero, medium-1 bit, and high-2 bit entropy). The majority of the tones conformed to the established rhythm (standard tones); occasionally the fourth tone was temporally shifted relative to its expected time of occurrence (deviant tones). Social communication and repetitive behaviors were measured using the Social Responsiveness Scale and Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised. Both neurotypical controls (n = 19) and individuals with ASD (n = 21) show stepwise decreases in MMN as a function of increasing entropy. Contrary to the result forecasted by a predictive coding hypothesis, individuals with ASD do not differ from controls in these neural mechanisms of prediction error to auditory rhythms of varied temporal complexity, and there is no relationship between these signals and social communication or repetitive behavior measures. LAY SUMMARY: We tested the idea that the brain's ability to use previous experience to influence processing of sounds is weaker in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than in neurotypical individuals. We found no difference between individuals with ASD and neurotypical controls in brain wave responses to sounds that occurred earlier than expected in either simple or complex rhythms. There was also no relationship between these brain waves and social communication or repetitive behavior scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J. Knight
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, The Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Leona Oakes
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, The Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Susan L. Hyman
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Edward G. Freedman
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, The Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - John J. Foxe
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, The Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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Côté V, Lalancette È, Knoth IS, Côté L, Agbogba K, Vannasing P, Major P, Barlaam F, Michaud J, Lippé S. Distinct patterns of repetition suppression in Fragile X syndrome, down syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex and mutations in SYNGAP1. Brain Res 2020; 1751:147205. [PMID: 33189692 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Sensory processing is the gateway to information processing and more complex processes such as learning. Alterations in sensory processing is a common phenotype of many genetic syndromes associated with intellectual disability (ID). It is currently unknown whether sensory processing alterations converge or diverge on brain responses between syndromes. Here, we compare for the first time four genetic conditions with ID using the same basic sensory learning paradigm. One hundred and five participants, aged between 3 and 30 years old, composing four clinical ID groups and one control group, were recruited: Fragile X syndrome (FXS; n = 14), tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC; n = 9), Down syndrome (DS; n = 19), SYNGAP1 mutations (n = 8) and Neurotypical controls (NT; n = 55)). All groups included female and male participants. Brain responses were recorded using electroencephalography (EEG) during an audio-visual task that involved three repetitions of the pronunciation of the phoneme /a/. Event Related Potentials (ERP) were used to: 1) compare peak-to-peak amplitudes between groups, 2) evaluate the presence of repetition suppression within each group and 3) compare the relative repetition suppression between groups. Our results revealed larger overall amplitudes in FXS. A repetition suppression (RS) pattern was found in the NT group, FXS and DS, suggesting spared repetition suppression in a multimodal task in these two ID syndromes. Interestingly, FXS presented a stronger RS on one peak-to-peak value in comparison with the NT. The results of our study reveal the distinctiveness of ERP and RS brain responses in ID syndromes. Further studies should be conducted to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in these patterns of responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Côté
- Psychology Departement, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Marie-Victorin, 90, Avenue Vincent d'Indy, Montréal, QC H2V 2S9, Canada; NED Laboratory, Office 5.2.43, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; Research Center UHC Sainte-Justine, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.
| | - Ève Lalancette
- Psychology Departement, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Marie-Victorin, 90, Avenue Vincent d'Indy, Montréal, QC H2V 2S9, Canada; NED Laboratory, Office 5.2.43, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; Research Center UHC Sainte-Justine, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Inga S Knoth
- NED Laboratory, Office 5.2.43, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; Research Center UHC Sainte-Justine, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Lucie Côté
- Neurology Program, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.
| | - Kristian Agbogba
- NED Laboratory, Office 5.2.43, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; Research Center UHC Sainte-Justine, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.
| | - Phetsamone Vannasing
- Research Center UHC Sainte-Justine, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.
| | - Philippe Major
- Neurology Program, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; Research Center UHC Sainte-Justine, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.
| | - Fanny Barlaam
- NED Laboratory, Office 5.2.43, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; Research Center UHC Sainte-Justine, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Jacques Michaud
- Research Center UHC Sainte-Justine, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.
| | - Sarah Lippé
- Psychology Departement, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Marie-Victorin, 90, Avenue Vincent d'Indy, Montréal, QC H2V 2S9, Canada; NED Laboratory, Office 5.2.43, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; Research Center UHC Sainte-Justine, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.
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43
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Jiménez E, Haebig E, Hills TT. Identifying Areas of Overlap and Distinction in Early Lexical Profiles of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Late Talkers, and Typical Talkers. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 51:3109-3125. [PMID: 33156473 PMCID: PMC8349327 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04772-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
This study compares the lexical composition of 118 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 12 to 84 months with 4626 vocabulary-matched typically developing toddlers with and without language delay, aged 8 to 30 months. Children with ASD and late talkers showed a weaker noun bias. Additionally, differences were identified in the proportion of nouns and verbs, and in the semantic categories of animals, toys, household items and vehicles. Most differences appear to reflect the extent of the age differences between the groups. However, children with ASD produced fewer high-social verbs than typical talkers and late talkers, a difference that might be associated with ASD features. In sum, our findings identified areas of overlap and distinction across the developing lexical profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Jiménez
- Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, University Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
| | - Eileen Haebig
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA
| | - Thomas T Hills
- Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, University Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
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44
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Green HL, Shuffrey LC, Levinson L, Shen G, Avery T, Randazzo Wagner M, Sepulveda DM, Garcia P, Maddox C, Garcia F, Hassan S, Froud K. Evaluation of mismatch negativity as a marker for language impairment in autism spectrum disorder. JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS 2020; 87:105997. [PMID: 32521234 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2020.105997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The identification of an early and objective marker of language impairment in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has the potential to lead to earlier language intervention for affected children. The mismatch negativity (MMN), a passive auditory evoked potential, offers insight into the brain's ability to direct attention to novel sounds. Since exposure to speech is necessary for learning to map meaning onto phonemes, we predicted slower MMN responses to speech sounds would indicate presence of language impairment in ASD. METHODS We explored the relationship between MMN latency in children ages 5-10 with ASD plus language impairment (ASD + LI), ASD minus language impairment (ASD-LI), and typically developing children (TD) during an auditory oddball experiment presenting speech and pure tone sounds. RESULTS Contrary to our prediction, children with ASD + LI demonstrated decreased MMN latency in the left hemisphere in response to novel vowel sounds compared to children with ASD-LI and TD controls. Parent responses to the Sensory Experiences Questionnaire revealed that all participating individuals with ASD were hypersensitive to sounds. CONCLUSIONS Our results lend support to the theory that some children with ASD + LI have increased connectivity in primary sensory cortices at the expense of connectivity to association areas of the brain. This may account for faster speech sound processing despite low language scores in these children. Future studies should focus on individuals with language impairment and hyper-or hyposensitivity to sounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Green
- Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1155 Thorndike Hall, 525 W 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States; Department of Radiology, Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
| | - Lauren C Shuffrey
- Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1155 Thorndike Hall, 525 W 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States; Division of Developmental Neuroscience, Columbia University Medical Center, 3960 Broadway, New York, NY 10032, United States
| | - Lisa Levinson
- Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1155 Thorndike Hall, 525 W 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States
| | - Guannan Shen
- Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1155 Thorndike Hall, 525 W 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States; Department of Psychotherapy, Temple University, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - Trey Avery
- Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1155 Thorndike Hall, 525 W 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States; Haskins Laboratories, Yale University, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06511, United States
| | - Melissa Randazzo Wagner
- Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1155 Thorndike Hall, 525 W 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States; Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Adelphi University, One South Ave., Garden City, NY 11530, United States
| | - Dayna Moya Sepulveda
- Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1155 Thorndike Hall, 525 W 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States; Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Sede Villarrica, Villarrica, La Araucania Region 4930000, Chile
| | - Paula Garcia
- Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1155 Thorndike Hall, 525 W 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States; Universidad de los Andes, Calle 18 A #0-19 Este., Casita Rosada, Colombia
| | - Chaille Maddox
- Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1155 Thorndike Hall, 525 W 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States
| | - Felicidad Garcia
- Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1155 Thorndike Hall, 525 W 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States; Temple University, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19122 United States
| | - Sommer Hassan
- Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1155 Thorndike Hall, 525 W 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States; University of the District of Columbia, 4200 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 United States
| | - Karen Froud
- Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1155 Thorndike Hall, 525 W 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States
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45
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Yoshimura Y, Hasegawa C, Ikeda T, Saito DN, Hiraishi H, Takahashi T, Kumazaki H, Kikuchi M. The maturation of the P1m component in response to voice from infancy to 3 years of age: A longitudinal study in young children. Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01706. [PMID: 32573987 PMCID: PMC7428512 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the early development of human infants and toddlers, remarkable changes in brain cortical function for auditory processing have been reported. Knowing the maturational trajectory of auditory cortex responses to human voice in typically developing young children is crucial for identifying voice processing abnormalities in children at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders and language impairment. An early prominent positive component in the cerebral auditory response in newborns has been reported in previous electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography (MEG) studies. However, it is not clear whether this prominent component in infants less than 1 year of age corresponds to the auditory P1m component that has been reported in young children over 2 years of age. METHODS To test the hypothesis that the early prominent positive component in infants aged 0 years is an immature manifestation of P1m that we previously reported in children over 2 years of age, we performed a longitudinal MEG study that focused on this early component and examined the maturational changes over three years starting from age 0. Five infants participated in this 3-year longitudinal study. RESULTS This research revealed that the early prominent component in infants aged 3 month corresponded to the auditory P1m component in young children over 2 years old, which we had previously reported to be related to language development and/or autism spectrum disorders. CONCLUSION Our data revealed the development of the auditory-evoked field in the left and right hemispheres from 0- to 3-year-old children. These results contribute to the elucidation of the development of brain functions in infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Yoshimura
- Institute of Human and Social Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Chiaki Hasegawa
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Takashi Ikeda
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Daisuke N Saito
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Hirotoshi Hiraishi
- Institute for Medical Photonics research, Hamamatsu University school of medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | | | - Hirokazu Kumazaki
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Kikuchi
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.,Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
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46
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Kondo HM, Lin IF. Excitation-inhibition balance and auditory multistable perception are correlated with autistic traits and schizotypy in a non-clinical population. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8171. [PMID: 32424307 PMCID: PMC7234986 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65126-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder and individuals with schizophrenia have impaired social and communication skills. They also have altered auditory perception. This study investigated autistic traits and schizotypy in a non-clinical population as well as the excitation-inhibition (EI) balance in different brain regions and their auditory multistable perception. Thirty-four healthy participants were assessed by the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). The EI balance was evaluated by measuring the resting-state concentrations of glutamate-glutamine (Glx) and ϒ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in vivo by using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. To observe the correlation between their traits and perception, we conducted an auditory streaming task and a verbal transformation task, in which participants reported spontaneous perceptual switching while listening to a sound sequence. Their AQ and SPQ scores were positively correlated with the Glx/GABA ratio in the auditory cortex but not in the frontal areas. These scores were negatively correlated with the number of perceptual switches in the verbal transformation task but not in the auditory streaming task. Our results suggest that the EI balance in the auditory cortex and the perceptual formation of speech are involved in autistic traits and schizotypy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirohito M Kondo
- School of Psychology, Chukyo University, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8666, Japan. .,Human Information Science Laboratory, NTT Communication Science Laboratories, NTT Corporation, Atsugi, Kanagawa, 243-0198, Japan.
| | - I-Fan Lin
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, 235, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110, Taiwan
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47
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Shic F, Wang Q, Macari SL, Chawarska K. The role of limited salience of speech in selective attention to faces in toddlers with autism spectrum disorders. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2020; 61:459-469. [PMID: 31471912 PMCID: PMC7048639 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired attention to faces of interactive partners is a marker for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in early childhood. However, it is unclear whether children with ASD avoid faces or find them less salient and whether the phenomenon is linked with the presence of eye contact or speech. METHODS We investigated the impacts of speech (SP) and direct gaze (DG) on attention to faces in 22-month-old toddlers with ASD (n = 50) and typically developing controls (TD, n = 47) using the Selective Social Attention 2.0 (SSA 2.0) task. The task consisted of four conditions where the presence (+) and absence (-) of DG and SP were systematically manipulated. The severity of autism symptoms, and verbal and nonverbal skills were characterized concurrently with eye tracking at 22.4 (SD = 3.2) months and prospectively at 39.8 (SD = 4.3) months. RESULTS Toddlers with ASD looked less than TD toddlers at face and mouth regions only when the actress was speaking (direct gaze absence with speech, DG-SP+: d = 0.99, p < .001 for face, d = 0.98, p < .001 for mouth regions; direct gaze present with speech, DG+SP+, d = 1.47, p < .001 for face, d = 1.01, p < .001 for mouth regions). Toddlers with ASD looked less at the eye region only when both gaze and speech cues were present (d = 0.46, p = .03). Salience of the combined DG and SP cues was associated concurrently and prospectively with the severity of autism symptoms, and the association remained significant after controlling for verbal and nonverbal levels. CONCLUSIONS The study links poor attention to faces with limited salience of audiovisual speech and provides no support for the face avoidance hypothesis in the early stages of ASD. These results are consequential for research on early discriminant and predictive biomarkers as well as identification of novel treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Shic
- Yale School of Medicine, Child Study Center; 40 Temple St Ste 7D; New Haven, CT 06510
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development; 2001 8 Ave Ste 400; Seattle, WA 98121
- Univeristy of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics; 2001 8 Ave Ste 400; Seattle, WA 98121
| | - Quan Wang
- Yale School of Medicine, Child Study Center; 40 Temple St Ste 7D; New Haven, CT 06510
| | - Suzanne L. Macari
- Yale School of Medicine, Child Study Center; 40 Temple St Ste 7D; New Haven, CT 06510
| | - Katarzyna Chawarska
- Yale School of Medicine, Child Study Center; 40 Temple St Ste 7D; New Haven, CT 06510
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48
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Song H, Kwon MK, Park M, Chung H. Basic auditory processing in the children with autistic features. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. CHILD 2020; 9:106-115. [PMID: 30583704 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2018.1532293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed inhibition mechanisms of auditory processing in the group with autistic features. Thirty-two children (autistic group = 16, typically developing [TD] group = 16) received neuropsychological tests, IQ test and experimental tasks. Both groups showed similar performances except the processing speed index. The results showed that the group with autistic features had less inhibition of return (IOR) than the TD group. However, we did not get a statistically significant group difference in the auditory Go-NoGo task. These results might be attributed to a ceiling effect due to an adjustment failure of a difficulty level instead of showing that the group with autistic features would have intact inhibitory or pitch discriminative function problems. In conclusion, this study showed that the group with autistic features could have an inhibitory processing difficulty in both auditory and visual IOR tasks even when their general cognitive functions are relatively intact. This study presented a possibility that the group with autistic features might have a basic inhibitory function problem, but these findings should be investigated in the further study with enough samples. In addition, we are going to revise the auditory Go-NoGo task and verify the feasibility as a tool to detect ASD in an early stage in the following study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunjoo Song
- Department of Psychotherapy, Graduate School of Professional Therapeutic Technology, Seoul Woman's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Mee-Kyoung Kwon
- Division of General Studies; Department of General Studies, UNIST, Ulsan, South Korea
| | - Minkyoung Park
- Department of Psychotherapy, Graduate School of Professional Therapeutic Technology, Seoul Woman's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - HeeJung Chung
- Department of Pediatrics, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, South Korea
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49
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Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) reportedly possess preserved or superior music-processing skills compared to their typically developing counterparts. We examined auditory imagery and earworms (tunes that get "stuck" in the head) in adults with ASD and controls. Both groups completed a short earworm questionnaire together with the Bucknell Auditory Imagery Scale. Results showed poorer auditory imagery in the ASD group for all types of auditory imagery. However, the ASD group did not report fewer earworms than matched controls. These data suggest a possible basis in poor auditory imagery for poor prosody in ASD, but also highlight a separability between auditory imagery and control of musical memories. The separability is present in the ASD group but not in typically developing individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Bacon
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK
| | - C Philip Beaman
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK.
| | - Fang Liu
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK
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50
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An integrative analysis of 5HTT-mediated mechanism of hyperactivity to non-threatening voices. Commun Biol 2020; 3:113. [PMID: 32157156 PMCID: PMC7064530 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0850-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The tonic model delineating the serotonin transporter polymorphism’s (5-HTTLPR) modulatory effect on anxiety points towards a universal underlying mechanism involving a hyper-or-elevated baseline level of arousal even to non-threatening stimuli. However, to our knowledge, this mechanism has never been observed in non-clinical cohorts exhibiting high anxiety. Moreover, empirical support regarding said association is mixed, potentially because of publication bias with a relatively small sample size. Hence, how the 5-HTTLPR modulates neural correlates remains controversial. Here we show that 5-HTTLPR short-allele carriers had significantly increased baseline ERPs and reduced fearful MMN, phenomena which can nevertheless be reversed by acute anxiolytic treatment. This provides evidence that the 5-HTT affects the automatic processing of threatening and non-threatening voices, impacts broadly on social cognition, and conclusively asserts the heightened baseline arousal level as the universal underlying neural mechanism for anxiety-related susceptibilities, functioning as a spectrum-like distribution from high trait anxiety non-patients to anxiety patients. Chen et al. apply a multi-level approach to show that serotonin signaling modulates neuronal responses to both threatening and non-threatening voices even in the pre-attentive stage. They show that 5-HTTLPR short-allele carriers had higher baseline event-related potentials and lower fearful mismatch negativity, which can be reversed by acute anxiolytic treatment.
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