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Manning C. Visual processing and decision-making in autism and dyslexia: Insights from cross-syndrome approaches. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2024:17470218241264627. [PMID: 38876999 DOI: 10.1177/17470218241264627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Atypical visual processing has been reported in developmental conditions like autism and dyslexia, and some accounts propose a causal role for visual processing in the development of these conditions. However, few studies make direct comparisons between conditions, or use sufficiently sensitive methods, meaning that it is hard to say whether atypical visual processing tells us anything specific about these conditions, or whether it reflects a more general marker of atypical development. Here I review findings from two computational modelling approaches (equivalent noise and diffusion modelling) and related electroencephalography (EEG) indices which we have applied to data from autistic, dyslexic and typically developing children to reveal how the component processes involved in visual processing and decision-making are altered in autism and dyslexia. The results identify both areas of convergence and divergence in autistic and dyslexic children's visual processing and decision-making, with implications for influential theoretical accounts such as weak central coherence, increased internal noise, and dorsal-stream vulnerability. In both sets of studies, we also see considerable variability across children in all three groups. To better understand this variability, and further understand the convergence and divergence identified between conditions, future studies would benefit from studying how the component processes reviewed here relate to transdiagnostic dimensions, which will also give insights into individual differences in visual processing and decision-making more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Manning
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Bhaskaran AA, Gauvrit T, Vyas Y, Bony G, Ginger M, Frick A. Endogenous noise of neocortical neurons correlates with atypical sensory response variability in the Fmr1 -/y mouse model of autism. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7905. [PMID: 38036566 PMCID: PMC10689491 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43777-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive neural variability of sensory responses is a hallmark of atypical sensory processing in autistic individuals with cascading effects on other core autism symptoms but unknown neurobiological substrate. Here, by recording neocortical single neuron activity in a well-established mouse model of Fragile X syndrome and autism, we characterized atypical sensory processing and probed the role of endogenous noise sources in exaggerated response variability in males. The analysis of sensory stimulus evoked activity and spontaneous dynamics, as well as neuronal features, reveals a complex cellular and network phenotype. Neocortical sensory information processing is more variable and temporally imprecise. Increased trial-by-trial and inter-neuronal response variability is strongly related to key endogenous noise features, and may give rise to behavioural sensory responsiveness variability in autism. We provide a novel preclinical framework for understanding the sources of endogenous noise and its contribution to core autism symptoms, and for testing the functional consequences for mechanism-based manipulation of noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun A Bhaskaran
- INSERM, U1215 Neurocentre Magendie, 33077, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
- Department of Psychiatry, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Théo Gauvrit
- INSERM, U1215 Neurocentre Magendie, 33077, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Yukti Vyas
- INSERM, U1215 Neurocentre Magendie, 33077, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Guillaume Bony
- INSERM, U1215 Neurocentre Magendie, 33077, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Melanie Ginger
- INSERM, U1215 Neurocentre Magendie, 33077, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Andreas Frick
- INSERM, U1215 Neurocentre Magendie, 33077, Bordeaux, France.
- University of Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France.
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Kiep M, Spek A, Ceulemans E, Noens I. Sensory Processing and Executive Functioning in Autistic Adults. J Autism Dev Disord 2023:10.1007/s10803-023-06008-4. [PMID: 37171766 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06008-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE One of the core features that can be experienced by adults on the autism spectrum is hyper- and hyporeactivity to sensory stimuli. Research suggests that executive functioning (EF) impairments are related to sensory issues. In this study the relationship between sensory processing issues and EF was investigated. We expected sensory processing issues to predict EF impairments. METHODS Thirty men and 30 women on the autism spectrum, 20 men and 24 women without autism were included and matched on intelligence and age. Group comparisons were conducted to determine if groups differed regarding self-reported sensory processing issues (GSQ-NL) and self-reports on EF (BRIEF-A). Correlational and regression analyses were carried out to investigate the relationship between self-reports on GSQ-NL and BRIEF-A. RESULTS We found significant differences between men and women on the spectrum with regard to sensory processing issues and EF. Hyporeactivity to sensory information explained most of the EF problems. CONCLUSION Clinicians should be aware of differences in sensory experiences between adults on the spectrum and non-autistic adults and differences between men and women during assessment and subsequent counselling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Kiep
- Autisme Expertise Centrum, Eemnes, Netherlands.
- Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Leuven Autism Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | | | - Eva Ceulemans
- Quantative Psychology and Inaffiliationidual Differences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ilse Noens
- Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Jacques C, Courchesne V, Mineau S, Dawson M, Mottron L. Positive, negative, neutral-or unknown? The perceived valence of emotions expressed by young autistic children in a novel context suited to autism. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022; 26:1833-1848. [PMID: 35168392 PMCID: PMC9483191 DOI: 10.1177/13623613211068221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Autistic people are believed to have emotions that are too negative and not positive enough, starting early in life. Their facial expressions are also persistently judged to be unusual, as reflected in criteria used to identify autism. But it is possible that common autistic facial expressions are poorly understood by observers, as suggested by a range of findings from research. Another issue is that autistic emotions have always been assessed in contexts suited to non-autistics. In our study, the facial expressions of young autistic and typical children were rated as positive, negative, neutral, or "unknown"-a category we created for emotions that observers notice but do not understand. These emotions were assessed using a context suited to autistic children, including objects of potential interest to them. We found that in this context, autistic and typical children did not differ in positive, negative, or neutral facial emotions. They did differ in unknown emotions, which were found only in autistic children. We also found that repetitive behaviors in autistic children co-occurred with positive, neutral, and unknown emotions, but not with negative emotions. In a context which suits their characteristics, autistic children do not show emotions that are too negative or not positive enough. They do show emotions perceived as unknown, which means we need to improve our understanding of their full emotional repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudine Jacques
- Université du Québec en Outaouais, Canada
- CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Laurent Mottron
- CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Canada
- Université de Montréal, Canada
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Jassim N, Owen AM, Smith P, Suckling J, Lawson RP, Baron-Cohen S, Parsons O. Perceptual decision-making in autism as assessed by "spot the difference" visual cognition tasks. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15458. [PMID: 36104435 PMCID: PMC9474452 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19640-4] [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] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Discriminating between similar figures proves to be a remarkably demanding task due to the limited capacity of our visual cognitive processes. Here we examine how perceptual inference and decision-making are modulated by differences arising from neurodiversity. A large sample of autistic (n = 140) and typical (n = 147) participants completed two forced choice similarity judgement tasks online. Each task consisted of "match" (identical figures) and "mismatch" (subtle differences between figures) conditions. Signal detection theory analyses indicated a response bias by the autism group during conditions of uncertainty. More specifically, autistic participants were more likely to choose the "mismatch" option, thus leading to more hits on the "mismatch" condition, but also more false alarms on the "match" condition. These results suggest differences in response strategies during perceptual decision-making in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazia Jassim
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Adrian M Owen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The Western Institute for Neuroscience, London, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Paula Smith
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - John Suckling
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rebecca P Lawson
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Owen Parsons
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Dance CJ, Ward J, Simner J. What is the Link Between Mental Imagery and Sensory Sensitivity? Insights from Aphantasia. Perception 2021; 50:757-782. [PMID: 34463590 PMCID: PMC8438787 DOI: 10.1177/03010066211042186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
People with aphantasia have impoverished visual imagery so struggle to form mental pictures in the mind's eye. By testing people with and without aphantasia, we investigate the relationship between sensory imagery and sensory sensitivity (i.e., hyper- or hypo-reactivity to incoming signals through the sense organs). In Experiment 1 we first show that people with aphantasia report impaired imagery across multiple domains (e.g., olfactory, gustatory etc.) rather than simply vision. Importantly, we also show that imagery is related to sensory sensitivity: aphantasics reported not only lower imagery, but also lower sensory sensitivity. In Experiment 2, we showed a similar relationship between imagery and sensitivity in the general population. Finally, in Experiment 3 we found behavioural corroboration in a Pattern Glare Task, in which aphantasics experienced less visual discomfort and fewer visual distortions typically associated with sensory sensitivity. Our results suggest for the very first time that sensory imagery and sensory sensitivity are related, and that aphantasics are characterised by both lower imagery, and lower sensitivity. Our results also suggest that aphantasia (absence of visual imagery) may be more accurately defined as a subtype of a broader imagery deficit we name dysikonesia, in which weak or absent imagery occurs across multiple senses.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. J. Dance
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
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Ward J, Del Rio M. The mechanisms of sensory sensitivity: A response to commentaries on Ward (2019). Cogn Neurosci 2019; 11:170-173. [PMID: 31799890 DOI: 10.1080/17588928.2019.1697223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A recent framework has been proposed for understanding individual differences in sensory sensitivity in terms of whether increased neural responsiveness to sensory stimuli reflects increased responses to sensory signals or increased neural noise. This has different implications for behavioral performance. In this commentary, we discuss some related concepts including responsivity and perceptual expertise. We consider in more detail the role of attention including exogenous factors (altered bottom-up salience) and endogenous ones (indiscriminately assigning higher attentional priority), and the role that emotion may play in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Ward
- School of Psychology and Sussex Neuroscience, University of Sussex , Brighton, UK
| | - Magdalena Del Rio
- School of Psychology and Sussex Neuroscience, University of Sussex , Brighton, UK
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