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Loos HM, Schaal B, Pause BM, Smeets MAM, Ferdenzi C, Roberts SC, de Groot J, Lübke KT, Croy I, Freiherr J, Bensafi M, Hummel T, Havlíček J. Past, Present, and Future of Human Chemical Communication Research. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2023:17456916231188147. [PMID: 37669015 DOI: 10.1177/17456916231188147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Although chemical signaling is an essential mode of communication in most vertebrates, it has long been viewed as having negligible effects in humans. However, a growing body of evidence shows that the sense of smell affects human behavior in social contexts ranging from affiliation and parenting to disease avoidance and social threat. This article aims to (a) introduce research on human chemical communication in the historical context of the behavioral sciences; (b) provide a balanced overview of recent advances that describe individual differences in the emission of semiochemicals and the neural mechanisms underpinning their perception, that together demonstrate communicative function; and (c) propose directions for future research toward unraveling the molecular principles involved and understanding the variability in the generation, transmission, and reception of chemical signals in increasingly ecologically valid conditions. Achieving these goals will enable us to address some important societal challenges but are within reach only with the aid of genuinely interdisciplinary approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene M Loos
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
- Department of Sensory Analytics and Technologies, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV
| | - Benoist Schaal
- Development of Olfactory Cognition and Communication Lab, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS UMR 6265, Université de Bourgogne
| | - Bettina M Pause
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
| | | | - Camille Ferdenzi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, Inserm U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier
| | | | | | - Katrin T Lübke
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
| | - Ilona Croy
- Institute for Psychology, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
| | - Jessica Freiherr
- Department of Sensory Analytics and Technologies, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
| | - Moustafa Bensafi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, Inserm U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TU Dresden
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2
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Naeem N, Zanca RM, Weinstein S, Urquieta A, Sosa A, Yu B, Sullivan RM. The Neurobiology of Infant Attachment-Trauma and Disruption of Parent-Infant Interactions. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:882464. [PMID: 35935109 PMCID: PMC9352889 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.882464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Current clinical literature and supporting animal literature have shown that repeated and profound early-life adversity, especially when experienced within the caregiver-infant dyad, disrupts the trajectory of brain development to induce later-life expression of maladaptive behavior and pathology. What is less well understood is the immediate impact of repeated adversity during early life with the caregiver, especially since attachment to the caregiver occurs regardless of the quality of care the infant received including experiences of trauma. The focus of the present manuscript is to review the current literature on infant trauma within attachment, with an emphasis on animal research to define mechanisms and translate developmental child research. Across species, the effects of repeated trauma with the attachment figure, are subtle in early life, but the presence of acute stress can uncover some pathology, as was highlighted by Bowlby and Ainsworth in the 1950s. Through rodent neurobehavioral literature we discuss the important role of repeated elevations in stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) in infancy, especially if paired with the mother (not when pups are alone) as targeting the amygdala and causal in infant pathology. We also show that following induced alterations, at baseline infants appear stable, although acute stress hormone elevation uncovers pathology in brain circuits important in emotion, social behavior, and fear. We suggest that a comprehensive understanding of the role of stress hormones during infant typical development and elevated CORT disruption of this typical development will provide insight into age-specific identification of trauma effects, as well as a better understanding of early markers of later-life pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimra Naeem
- Department of Psychology, Center for Neuroscience, New York University, New York, NY, United States,Emotional Brain Institute, The Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States,Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Nimra Naeem,
| | - Roseanna M. Zanca
- Emotional Brain Institute, The Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States,Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sylvie Weinstein
- Department of Psychology, Center for Neuroscience, New York University, New York, NY, United States,Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alejandra Urquieta
- Department of Psychology, Center for Neuroscience, New York University, New York, NY, United States,Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Anna Sosa
- Department of Psychology, Center for Neuroscience, New York University, New York, NY, United States,Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Boyi Yu
- Department of Psychology, Center for Neuroscience, New York University, New York, NY, United States,Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Regina M. Sullivan
- Department of Psychology, Center for Neuroscience, New York University, New York, NY, United States,Emotional Brain Institute, The Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States,Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States,Regina M. Sullivan,
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3
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He Z. Selective effects of perinatal estrogen on proliferation and new neurons in hippocampus and piriform cortex of rats at weaning. Neurotoxicology 2022; 91:254-261. [PMID: 35618077 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.05.012] [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: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A recent report links heightened prenatal amniotic estrogen levels to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, we examined the developmental effects of perinatal estrogen treatment on stem cell activity in weaned rats. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats received ethinyl estradiol (EE2, 10µg/kg/day) or vehicle orally from gestational day 6 until parturition. Offspring were then treated with the same daily dose from postnatal days (PNDs) 1-21. The effects of perinatal estrogen treatment on stem cell activities in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus and the piriform cortex were evaluated in male and female rat pups. RESULTS EE2 treatment increased the total Ki67-immunoreactive (Ki67-ir) cell counts in the SGZ of males and females (p<0.05). However, no treatment or sex differences were detectable in the density of the doublecortin (DCX)-immunoreactive (DCX-ir) deposits in the hippocampus. In the piriform cortex, no treatment or sex differences were detected in Ki67-ir cell counts. However, the EE2 treatment significantly reduced the DCX-ir cell count in male, but not female rats (male EE2 group=292±22/mm2, male vehicle group=402±19/mm2, female EE2 group=342±15/mm2, female vehicle group=331±9/mm2). CONCLUSIONS Perinatal estrogen treatment increased hippocampal Ki67-ir cell counts in both sexes and selectively reduced DCX-ir cell counts in the piriform cortex of males. These data suggest that exposure to abnormally high levels of estrogens early in life may have an impact on neural cell development. Alterations in development so early in life may have long-term cognitive impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z He
- Division of Neurotoxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079 USA.
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4
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Huang G, Qiu Y, Tan S, Ma Q, Zou L. Impaired odor identification ability and olfactory hedonic capacity in children with elevated autistic traits. J SENS STUD 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/joss.12746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gao‐jie Huang
- Chemical Senses and Mental Health Laboratory, Department of Psychology School of Public Health, Southern Medical University Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Yi‐qi Qiu
- Chemical Senses and Mental Health Laboratory, Department of Psychology School of Public Health, Southern Medical University Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Shao‐zhen Tan
- Guangzhou Social Welfare Institute Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Qian‐wen Ma
- Chemical Senses and Mental Health Laboratory, Department of Psychology School of Public Health, Southern Medical University Guangzhou Guangdong China
- Guangzhou Social Welfare Institute Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Lai‐quan Zou
- Chemical Senses and Mental Health Laboratory, Department of Psychology School of Public Health, Southern Medical University Guangzhou Guangdong China
- Department of Psychiatry Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University Guangzhou Guangdong China
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5
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The social odor scale: Development and initial validation of a new scale for the assessment of social odor awareness. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260587. [PMID: 34905551 PMCID: PMC8670672 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The degree of attention individuals pay to olfactory cues (called odor awareness) influences the role of odors in everyday life. Particularly, odors produced by the human body (i.e., social odors) are able to carry a wide variety of information and to elicit a broad spectrum of emotional reactions, making them essential in interpersonal relationships. Hence, despite the assessment of awareness toward social odors is crucial, a proper tool is still lacking. Here, we designed and initially validated the Social Odor Scale (SOS), a 12-item scale designed to measure the individual differences in awareness towards different social odors. In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA; KMO test: MSA = 0.78; Bartlett's test: χ2(78) = 631.34, p < 0.001; Chi-squared test: χ2(42) = 71.84, p = 0.003) suggests that the three factors structure was the model that best fit with the Italian version of the scale. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supports a second-order model with one higher-order factor representing social odor awareness in general and three lower-order factors representing familiar, romantic partner, and stranger social odors. The final version of the scale presented a good fit (RMSEA = 0.012, SRMR = 0.069, CFI = 0.998, TLI = 0.997). In Study 2, CFA was performed in the German version of the scale confirming the validity of scale structure. Study 3 and 4 revealed that SOS total score and its subscales were positively correlated with other validated olfactory scales, but not with olfactory abilities. Moreover, SOS was found to be related to the gender of the participants: women reported to be more aware to social odors and, specifically, to familiar social odors than men. Overall, the results indicated that SOS is a valid and reliable instrument to assess awareness toward social odors in everyday life.
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6
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Boesveldt S, Parma V. The importance of the olfactory system in human well-being, through nutrition and social behavior. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 383:559-567. [PMID: 33433688 PMCID: PMC7802608 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03367-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The human sense of smell is still much underappreciated, despite its importance for vital functions such as warning and protection from environmental hazards, eating behavior and nutrition, and social communication. We here approach olfaction as a sense of well-being and review the available literature on how the sense of smell contributes to building and maintaining well-being through supporting nutrition and social relationships. Humans seem to be able to extract nutritional information from olfactory food cues, which can trigger specific appetite and direct food choice, but may not always impact actual intake behavior. Beyond food enjoyment, as part of quality of life, smell has the ability to transfer and regulate emotional conditions, and thus impacts social relationships, at various stages across life (e.g., prenatal and postnatal, during puberty, for partner selection and in sickness). A better understanding of how olfactory information is processed and employed for these functions so vital for well-being may be used to reduce potential negative consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne Boesveldt
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Valentina Parma
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, 1701 North 13th Street, PA, 19122, Philadelphia, USA. .,Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St., PA, Philadelphia, 19104, USA.
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7
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Xu M, Minagawa Y, Kumazaki H, Okada KI, Naoi N. Prefrontal Responses to Odors in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Functional NIRS Measurement Combined With a Fragrance Pulse Ejection System. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:523456. [PMID: 33132871 PMCID: PMC7579723 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.523456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are impaired not only in social competencies but also in sensory perception, particularly olfaction. The olfactory ability of individuals with ASD has been examined in several psychophysical studies, but the results have been highly variable, which might be primarily due to methodological difficulties in the control of odor stimuli (e.g., the problem of lingering scents). In addition, the neural correlates of olfactory specificities in individuals with ASD remain largely unknown. To date, only one study has investigated this issue using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The present study utilized a sophisticated method-a pulse ejection system-to present well-controlled odor stimuli to participants with ASD using an ASD-friendly application. With this advantageous system, we examined their odor detection, identification, and evaluation abilities and measured their brain activity evoked by odors using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). As the odor detection threshold (DT) of participants with ASD was highly variable, these participants were divided into two groups according to their DT: an ASD-Low DT group and an ASD-High DT group. Behavioral results showed that the ASD-High DT group had a significantly higher DT than the typically developing (control) group and the ASD-Low DT group, indicating their insensitivity to the tested odors. In addition, while there was no significant difference in the odor identification ability between groups, there was some discrepancy between the groups' evaluations of odor pleasantness. The brain data identified, for the first time, that neural activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was significantly weaker in the ASD-High DT group than in the control group. Moreover, the strength of activity in the right DLPFC was negatively correlated with the DT. These findings suggest that participants with ASD have impairments in the higher-order function of olfactory processing, such as olfactory working memory and/or attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingdi Xu
- Faculty of Letters, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.,Center of Life-Span Development of Communication Skills, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yasuyo Minagawa
- Faculty of Letters, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.,Center of Life-Span Development of Communication Skills, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan.,Global Centre for Advanced Research on Logic and Sensibility, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Ken-Ichi Okada
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Nozomi Naoi
- Global Centre for Advanced Research on Logic and Sensibility, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Arts and Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan
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8
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Abstract
The elucidation of odour awareness in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is important. We compared the odour awareness of young children with ASD with those of typical development (TD) children using the Children's Olfactory Behavior in Everyday Life (COBEL) questionnaire, which is a self-report measure that mainly assesses odour awareness. Forty-five young boys (aged 5-6 years), including 20 children with ASD and 25 TD children, participated in this study. The total COBEL score of the young children with ASD was lower than that of the TD children (p < 0.01). Moreover, the total COBEL score was significantly correlated with the total VABS II score (p < 0.05). Our results improve understanding of the odour awareness in children with ASD.
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9
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Barros F, Figueiredo C, Costa A, Soares SC. Sensory Processing in the Autism Spectrum: The Role of Attention to Detail and Somatic Trait Anxiety in the Olfactory Perception of the General Population. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 51:2338-2353. [PMID: 32964357 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04711-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as autism traits (AT), have been associated with altered sensory processing. However, the role of AT in olfactory processing is still unclear. We analyzed the impact of AT and trait anxiety (TANX), relevant in the context of autism and olfactory perception, in the olfactory abilities of a nonclinical adult sample. Participants (N = 116) completed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the State-Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety (STICSA) and the Sniffin' Sticks Extended Test to measure AT, TANX and olfactory abilities, respectively. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis suggested that women and higher scores on the Attention to Detail subscale of AQ were associated with better odor discrimination, and higher somatic TANX was related to poorer odor discrimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Barros
- William James Center for Research (WJCR), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Cláudia Figueiredo
- Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies (GOVCOPP), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Adriana Costa
- Institute of Health Sciences, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Campus Palma de Cima, Palma de Cima, 1649-023, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sandra C Soares
- William James Center for Research (WJCR), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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10
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Barros F, Soares SC. Giving meaning to the social world in autism spectrum disorders: Olfaction as a missing piece of the puzzle? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 116:239-250. [PMID: 32562688 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.06.008] [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: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Altered social cognition is a core feature of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). These impairments have been explained as the consequence of compromised social motivational mechanisms that limit social interest and activate a cascade of social deficits. Following this rational, we argue that approaches capable of surpassing ASD usual restraints (e.g., deficits in verbal abilities), and able to assign social meaning, could be more effective at responding to these difficulties. In this framework, we propose that olfaction, as well as cross-modal integration strategies involving both visual and olfactory domains, may have such potential. In fact, most of socioemotional processing deficits in ASD have been shown in an uni-modal perspective, mainly with visual stimuli. However, the social environment involves other modalities and is typically multisensorial. Given the potential of olfaction as a gateway for socioemotional information in ASD, we argue in favor of studying olfactory perception, as well as visuo-olfactory integration, given the potential of these approaches to drive effective interventions and give the access to a meaningful social world in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Barros
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; William James Center for Research (WJCR), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sandra C Soares
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; William James Center for Research (WJCR), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Psychology, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels väg 9, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
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11
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Yang Y, Wang X. Odor Modulates Hand Movements in a Reach-to-Grasp Task. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:560. [PMID: 32612498 PMCID: PMC7308559 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00560] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that target-relevant sensory stimuli (i.e., visual, auditory, and olfactory) can play important roles in the motor system. However, little is known about the effects of olfactory information on reaching and grasping movements. To determine whether odor stimuli affect hand movements, the reaching and grasping kinematic characteristics of 29 human participants were recorded using a three-dimensional video motion capture system. Participants received an odor stimulus by Sniffin’ Sticks and then reached toward and grasped a target. Grasping targets were apple, orange, ginger, and garlic. The odor stimulus was congruent with the target. The size of the odor-cued object (OCO) was the same size, smaller, or larger than a target to be grasped; or participants received odorless air while they viewed that target. They reached the target with one of two grips: a precision grip for a small target or a power grip for a larger target. The visual feedback was lost in half of 80 total trials after a start signal. It was no longer visible when participants reached the target. The results of repeated-measures analyses of variance followed by simple-effects analyses showed that when the size of the hand movement evoked by the odor cue was congruent with the size of the target, either both small or both large, the reaction time was significantly shorter than it was for odorless air. When participants received visual feedback throughout the trial, movement duration was significantly shorter if the odor cue was congruent with the size of the target or if odorless air was dispensed. When the size of hand movement evoked by the odor cue was incongruent with the size of the target, an interference effect was apparent on the maximum aperture time. The result of odorless air control group in a closed loop was shorter than incongruent odor group. In addition, visual feedback influenced the results such that the maximum aperture time occurred later when visibility was blocked only in the odorless air control condition. These results suggest that olfactory information has a positive effect on reach-to-grasp hand movements and that vision and olfaction may interact to optimize motor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaochun Wang
- School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
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12
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Schaal B, Saxton TK, Loos H, Soussignan R, Durand K. Olfaction scaffolds the developing human from neonate to adolescent and beyond. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190261. [PMID: 32306879 PMCID: PMC7209940 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of the olfactory sense is regularly apparent across development. The fetus is bathed in amniotic fluid (AF) that conveys the mother's chemical ecology. Transnatal olfactory continuity between the odours of AF and milk assists in the transition to nursing. At the same time, odours emanating from the mammary areas provoke appetitive responses in newborns. Odours experienced from the mother's diet during breastfeeding, and from practices such as pre-mastication, may assist in the dietary transition at weaning. In parallel, infants are attracted to and recognize their mother's odours; later, children are able to recognize other kin and peers based on their odours. Familiar odours, such as those of the mother, regulate the child's emotions, and scaffold perception and learning through non-olfactory senses. During juvenility and adolescence, individuals become more sensitive to some bodily odours, while the timing of adolescence itself has been speculated to draw from the chemical ecology of the family unit. Odours learnt early in life and within the family niche continue to influence preferences as mate choice becomes relevant. Olfaction thus appears significant in turning on, sustaining and, in cases when mother odour is altered, disturbing adaptive reciprocity between offspring and carer during the multiple transitions of development between birth and adolescence. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Olfactory communication in humans'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoist Schaal
- Developmental Ethology and Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre des Sciences du Goût, UMR 6265 CNRS-Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Inra-AgroSup, Dijon, France
| | - Tamsin K. Saxton
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Hélène Loos
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Sensory Analytics, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, Freising, Germany
| | - Robert Soussignan
- Developmental Ethology and Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre des Sciences du Goût, UMR 6265 CNRS-Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Inra-AgroSup, Dijon, France
| | - Karine Durand
- Developmental Ethology and Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre des Sciences du Goût, UMR 6265 CNRS-Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Inra-AgroSup, Dijon, France
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13
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Ferdenzi C, Richard Ortegón S, Delplanque S, Baldovini N, Bensafi M. Interdisciplinary challenges for elucidating human olfactory attractiveness. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190268. [PMID: 32306873 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many species use chemicals to communicate. In humans, there is increasing evidence that chemicals conveyed by the body are extremely important in interpersonal relationships. However, many aspects of chemical communication remain to be explored to fully understand this function in humans. The aim of this article is to identify relevant challenges in this field, with a focus on human attractiveness in the context of reproduction, and to put forward roadmaps for future studies that will hopefully extend to a wider range of social interactions. The first challenge consists in not being limited to body (mal)odours from the axilla. Preliminary data on how the odour of the face and head is perceived are presented. Second, there is a crucial need to increase our knowledge of the chemical bases of human chemical communication. Third, cross-cultural approaches must not be overlooked, because they have a major input in understanding the universal and culture-specific aspects of chemical communication. Fourth, the influence of specific cultural practices such as contraceptive and fragrance use is likely to be prominent and, therefore, needs to be well described. The fifth and last challenge for research projects in this field is the integration of different disciplines such as behavioural sciences, social sciences, neurosciences and microbiology. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Olfactory communication in humans'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Ferdenzi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, F-69675 Bron Cedex, France
| | - Stéphane Richard Ortegón
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, F-69675 Bron Cedex, France
| | - Sylvain Delplanque
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Baldovini
- Institut de Chimie de Nice, CNRS UMR 7272, Université Côte d'Azur, F-06108 Nice, France
| | - Moustafa Bensafi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, F-69675 Bron Cedex, France
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14
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Federici A, Parma V, Vicovaro M, Radassao L, Casartelli L, Ronconi L. Anomalous Perception of Biological Motion in Autism: A Conceptual Review and Meta-Analysis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4576. [PMID: 32165647 PMCID: PMC7067769 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61252-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite its popularity, the construct of biological motion (BM) and its putative anomalies in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not completely clarified. In this article, we present a meta-analysis investigating the putative anomalies of BM perception in ASD. Through a systematic literature search, we found 30 studies that investigated BM perception in both ASD and typical developing peers by using point-light display stimuli. A general meta-analysis including all these studies showed a moderate deficit of individuals with ASD in BM processing, but also a high heterogeneity. This heterogeneity was explored in different additional meta-analyses where studies were grouped according to levels of complexity of the BM task employed (first-order, direct and instrumental), and according to the manipulation of low-level perceptual features (spatial vs. temporal) of the control stimuli. Results suggest that the most severe deficit in ASD is evident when perception of BM is serving a secondary purpose (e.g., inferring intentionality/action/emotion) and, interestingly, that temporal dynamics of stimuli are an important factor in determining BM processing anomalies in ASD. Our results question the traditional understanding of BM anomalies in ASD as a monolithic deficit and suggest a paradigm shift that deconstructs BM into distinct levels of processing and specific spatio-temporal subcomponents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Federici
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Theoretical and Cognitive Neuroscience Group, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
- MoMiLab Research Unit, IMT School of Advanced Studies Lucca, Lucca, Italy
| | - Valentina Parma
- International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michele Vicovaro
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Radassao
- International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Casartelli
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Theoretical and Cognitive Neuroscience Group, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy.
| | - Luca Ronconi
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Theoretical and Cognitive Neuroscience Group, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy.
- School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
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15
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Albayay J, Castiello U, Parma V. Task-irrelevant odours affect both response inhibition and response readiness in fast-paced Go/No-Go task: the case of valence. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19329. [PMID: 31852962 PMCID: PMC6920346 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55977-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Whether emotional stimuli influence both response readiness and inhibition is highly controversial. Visual emotional stimuli appear to interfere with both under certain conditions (e.g., task relevance). Whether the effect is generalisable to salient yet task-irrelevant stimuli, such as odours, remains elusive. We tested the effect of orthonasally-presented pleasant (orange) and unpleasant odours (trimethyloxazole and hexenol) and clean air as a control on response inhibition. In emotional Go/No-Go paradigms, we manipulated the intertrial interval and ratios of Go/No-Go trials to account for motor (Experiment 1, N = 31) and cognitive (Experiment 2, N = 29) response inhibition processes. In Experiment 1, participants had greater difficulty in withholding and produced more accurate and faster Go responses under the pleasant vs. the control condition. Faster Go responses were also evident in the unpleasant vs. the control condition. In Experiment 2, neither pleasant nor unpleasant odours modulated action withholding, but both elicited more accurate and faster Go responses as compared to the control condition. Pleasant odours significantly impair action withholding (as compared to the control condition), indicating that more inhibitory resources are required to elicit successful inhibition in the presence of positive emotional information. This modulation was revealed for the motor aspect of response inhibition (fast-paced design with lower Go/No-Go trial ratio) rather than for attentional interference processes. Response readiness is critically impacted by the emotional nature of the odour (but not by its valence). Our findings highlight that the valence of task-irrelevant odour stimuli is a factor significantly influencing response inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Albayay
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padova, Italy.
| | - Umberto Castiello
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Valentina Parma
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, 1701 N 13th St, 19122, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America.,Neuroscience Area, International School for Advanced Studies, Via Bonomea 265, 34151, Trieste, Italy
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16
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Relationship Between Odor Identification and Visual Distractors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 48:2590-2592. [PMID: 29468573 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3511-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the nature of olfactory abnormalities is crucial for optimal interventions in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, previous studies that have investigated odor identification in children with ASD have produced inconsistent results. The ability to correctly identify an odor relies heavily on visual inputs in the general population. We tested odor identification in eight children with ASD and eight age-matched children with typical development (TD). After confirming that all children were able to identify each odor without visual input, we measured odor identification under the visual-distractor condition. Odor identification was hindered by visual distractors for all children with ASD but was not affected in all children with TD. Our results improve understanding of odor identification in ASD.
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17
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Koehler L, Fournel A, Albertowski K, Roessner V, Gerber J, Hummel C, Hummel T, Bensafi M. Impaired Odor Perception in Autism Spectrum Disorder Is Associated with Decreased Activity in Olfactory Cortex. Chem Senses 2019; 43:627-634. [PMID: 30219913 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjy051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are characterized by atypical sensory functioning in the visual, tactile, and auditory systems. Although less explored, olfactory changes have been reported in ASD patients. To explore these changes on a neural level, 18 adults with ASD and 18 healthy neurotypical controls were examined in a 2-phase study. Participants were first tested for odor threshold and odor identification. Then, (i) structural magnetic resonance (MR) images of the olfactory bulb were acquired, and (ii) a functional MR imaging olfaction study was conducted. ASD patients exhibited decreased function for odor thresholds and odor identification; this was accompanied by a relatively decreased activation in the piriform cortex. In conclusion, these findings suggest, that the known alterations in olfaction in ASD are rooted in the primary olfactory cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Koehler
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, "Technische Universität Dresden," Fetscherstraße, Dresden, Germany
| | - A Fournel
- CNRS, UMR5292, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, University Lyon, France
| | - K Albertowski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, "Technische Universität Dresden," Fetscherstraße, Dresden, Germany
| | - V Roessner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, "Technische Universität Dresden," Fetscherstraße, Dresden, Germany
| | - J Gerber
- Department of Neuroradiology, "Technische Universität Dresden," Fetscherstraße, Dresden, Germany
| | - C Hummel
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, "Technische Universität Dresden," Fetscherstraße, Dresden, Germany
| | - T Hummel
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, "Technische Universität Dresden," Fetscherstraße, Dresden, Germany
| | - M Bensafi
- CNRS, UMR5292, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, University Lyon, France
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18
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Luisier AC, Petitpierre G, Clerc Bérod A, Garcia-Burgos D, Bensafi M. Effects of familiarization on odor hedonic responses and food choices in children with autism spectrum disorders. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2018; 23:1460-1471. [PMID: 30523698 DOI: 10.1177/1362361318815252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This study assessed whether olfactory familiarization can render food odors more pleasant, and consequently food more attractive, to children with autism spectrum disorder. Participants were first presented with a series of food odors (session 1). Then, they were familiarized on four occasions (time window: 5 weeks) with one of the two most neutral odors (the other neutral odor was used as control) (session 2). In session 3, participants smelled the entire series of odors again. Both verbal and facial responses were compared from session 1 to session 3. After session 3, the children were presented with two identical foods (one containing the familiarized odor and one the control odor) and were asked to choose between these foods. Results revealed (1) a specific increase in positive emotions for the familiarized odor and (2) that 68% of the children chose the food associated with the "familiarized odor" (children who chose the "familiarized odor" food exhibited significantly more sensory particularities). These findings suggest that it is possible to modulate olfactory emotions and expand the dietary repertoire of children with autism spectrum disorder. Application of this paradigm may enable innovative prospects for food education in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Claude Luisier
- 1 Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, France.,2 University of Fribourg, Switzerland.,3 Brocoli Factory, Switzerland
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19
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Cellini N, Mednick SC. Stimulating the sleeping brain: Current approaches to modulating memory-related sleep physiology. J Neurosci Methods 2018; 316:125-136. [PMID: 30452977 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the most audacious proposals throughout the history of psychology was the potential ability to learn while we sleep. The idea penetrated culture via sci-fi movies and inspired the invention of devices that claimed to teach foreign languages, facts, and even quit smoking by simply listening to audiocassettes or other devices during sleep. However, the promises from this endeavor didn't stand up to experimental scrutiny, and the dream was shunned from the scientific community. Despite the historic evidence that the sleeping brain cannot learn new complex information (i.e., words, images, facts), a new wave of current interventions are demonstrating that sleep can be manipulated to strengthen recent memories. NEW METHOD Several recent approaches have been developed that play with the sleeping brain in order to modify ongoing memory processing. Here, we provide an overview of the available techniques to non-invasively modulate memory-related sleep physiology, including sensory, vestibular and electrical stimulation, as well as pharmacological approaches. RESULTS N/A. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS N/A. CONCLUSIONS Although the results are encouraging, suggesting that in general the sleeping brain may be optimized for better memory performance, the road to bring these techniques in free-living conditions is paved with unanswered questions and technical challenges that need to be carefully addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Cellini
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Sara C Mednick
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of California, Irvine, United States
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20
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Hoenen M, Lübke KT, Pause BM. Empathic Cognitions Affected by Undetectable Social Chemosignals: An EEG Study on Visually Evoked Empathy for Pain in an Auditory and Chemosensory Context. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:243. [PMID: 30459570 PMCID: PMC6232676 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Reduction of mu activity within the EEG is an indicator of cognitive empathy and can be generated in response to visual depictions of others in pain. The current study tested whether this brain response can be modulated by an auditory and a chemosensory context. Participants observed pictures of painful and non-painful actions while pain associated and neutral exclamations were presented (Study 1, N = 30) or while chemosensory stimuli were presented via a constant flow olfactometer (Study 2, N = 22). Chemosensory stimuli were sampled on cotton pads while donors participated in a simulated job interview (stress condition) or cycled on a stationary bike (sport condition). Pure cotton was used as a control. The social chemosignals could not be detected as odors. Activity within the 8–13 Hz band at electrodes C3, C4 (mu activity) and electrodes O1, O2 (alpha-activity) was calculated using Fast-Fourier-Transformation (FFT). As expected, suppression of power in the 8–13 Hz band was stronger when painful as compared to non-painful actions were observed (Study 1, p = 0.020; Study 2, p = 0.005). In addition, as compared to the neutral auditory and chemosensory context, painful exclamations (Study 1, p = 0.039) and chemosensory stress signals (Study 2, p = 0.014) augmented mu-/alpha suppression also in response to non-painful pictures. The studies show that processing of social threat-related information is not dominated by visual information. Rather, cognitive appraisal related to empathy can be affected by painful exclamations and subthreshold chemosensory social information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Hoenen
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Katrin T Lübke
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bettina M Pause
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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21
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Insights from perceptual, sensory, and motor functioning in autism and cerebellar primary disturbances: Are there reliable markers for these disorders? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 95:263-279. [PMID: 30268434 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 06/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The contribution of cerebellar circuitry alterations in the pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been widely investigated in the last decades. Yet, experimental studies on neurocognitive markers of ASD have not been attentively compared with similar studies in patients with cerebellar primary disturbances (e.g., malformations, agenesis, degeneration, etc). Addressing this neglected issue could be useful to underline unexpected areas of overlap and/or underestimated differences between these sets of conditions. In fact, ASD and cerebellar primary disturbances (notably, Cerebellar Cognitive Affective Syndrome, CCAS) can share atypical manifestations in perceptual, sensory, and motor functions, but neural subcircuits involved in these anomalies/difficulties could be distinct. Here, we specifically deal with this issue focusing on four paradigmatic neurocognitive functions: visual and biological motion perception, multisensory integration, and high stages of the motor hierarchy. From a research perspective, this represents an essential challenge to more deeply understand neurocognitive markers of ASD and of cerebellar primary disturbances/CCAS. Although we cannot assume definitive conclusions, and beyond phenotypical similarities between ASD and CCAS, clinical and experimental evidence described in this work argues that ASD and CCAS are distinct phenomena. ASD and CCAS seem to be characterized by different pathophysiological mechanisms and mediated by distinct neural nodes. In parallel, from a clinical perspective, this characterization may furnish insights to tackle the distinction between autistic functioning/autistic phenotype (in ASD) and dysmetria of thought/autistic-like phenotype (in CCAS).
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22
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Schriever VA, Gellrich J, von der Hagen M, Hummel T. Acquired Olfactory Dysfunction in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Chem Senses 2018; 43:571-581. [DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjy046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Valentin A Schriever
- Abteilung Neuropädiatrie an der Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse, Dresden, Germany
| | - Janine Gellrich
- Abteilung Neuropädiatrie an der Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maja von der Hagen
- Abteilung Neuropädiatrie an der Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Dresden Medical School, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse, Dresden, Germany
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23
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Cameron EL. Olfactory perception in children. World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2018; 4:57-66. [PMID: 30035263 PMCID: PMC6051253 DOI: 10.1016/j.wjorl.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to smell is important for protection from danger and quality of life, even in children. Although smell loss is rare in children, it can be indicative of some childhood disorders and may be useful for understanding some disorders. This paper reviews the methods and results of behavioral testing olfaction in children, with an emphasis on odor identification, the most common method of assessing the sense of smell in both children and adults. The Pediatric Smell Wheel® is described as a relatively new and powerful tool for testing olfaction in children as young as 4 years of age. An example of its use in testing children with a childhood disorders (autism spectrum disorder, ASD) is provided in addition to a review of the literature on smell function in ASD. It is possible to reliably test sense of smell in children as young as 4 years old and many studies have shown that performance improves with age and can be impacted by childhood disorders. Sex differences in children are briefly discussed. Finally, the paper suggests other methods of testing olfaction in children, such as odor discrimination, that depend less on cognitive factors, which may enhance our understanding of the olfactory capabilities of young children.
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24
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Casartelli L, Federici A, Biffi E, Molteni M, Ronconi L. Are We "Motorically" Wired to Others? High-Level Motor Computations and Their Role in Autism. Neuroscientist 2017; 24:568-581. [PMID: 29271293 DOI: 10.1177/1073858417750466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
High-level motor computations reflect abstract components far apart from the mere motor performance. Neural correlates of these computations have been explored both in nonhuman and human primates, supporting the idea that our brain recruits complex nodes for motor representations. Of note, these computations have exciting implications for social cognition, and they also entail important challenges in the context of autism. Here, we focus on these challenges benefiting from recent studies addressing motor interference, motor resonance, and high-level motor planning. In addition, we suggest new ideas about how one maps and shares the (motor) space with others. Taken together, these issues inspire intriguing and fascinating questions about the social tendency of our high-level motor computations, and this tendency may indicate that we are "motorically" wired to others. Thus, after furnishing preliminary insights on putative neural nodes involved in these computations, we focus on how the hypothesized social nature of high-level motor computations may be anomalous or limited in autism, and why this represents a critical challenge for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Casartelli
- 1 Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Alessandra Federici
- 1 Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Emilia Biffi
- 2 Bioengeenering Laboratory, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Massimo Molteni
- 1 Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Luca Ronconi
- 1 Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy.,3 Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Rovereto, Trento, Italy
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25
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Abstract
AbstractKeven & Akins (K&A) propose a biologically plausible view of neonatal imitation based on the analysis of sensorimotor development. Here, we consider imitation in the general context of motor cognition, taking examples from both typical and atypical development. Specifically, we will discuss the functional role of imitation, its multi-level nature, and its anomalous features in autism.
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26
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Endevelt-Shapira Y, Perl O, Ravia A, Amir D, Eisen A, Bezalel V, Rozenkrantz L, Mishor E, Pinchover L, Soroka T, Honigstein D, Sobel N. Altered responses to social chemosignals in autism spectrum disorder. Nat Neurosci 2017; 21:111-119. [PMID: 29180748 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-017-0024-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impaired social communication, often attributed to misreading of emotional cues. Why individuals with ASD misread emotions remains unclear. Given that terrestrial mammals rely on their sense of smell to read conspecific emotions, we hypothesized that misreading of emotional cues in ASD partially reflects altered social chemosignaling. We found no difference between typically developed (TD) and cognitively able adults with ASD at explicit detection and perception of social chemosignals. Nevertheless, TD and ASD participants dissociated in their responses to subliminal presentation of these same compounds: the undetected 'smell of fear' (skydiver sweat) increased physiological arousal and reduced explicit and implicit measures of trust in TD but acted opposite in ASD participants. Moreover, two different undetected synthetic putative social chemosignals increased or decreased arousal in TD but acted opposite in ASD participants. These results implicate social chemosignaling as a sensory substrate of social impairment in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ofer Perl
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aharon Ravia
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Daniel Amir
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ami Eisen
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Vered Bezalel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Liron Rozenkrantz
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eva Mishor
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Liron Pinchover
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Timna Soroka
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Noam Sobel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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27
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Measuring how typical and atypical minds read other's intentions: Comment on "Seeing mental states: An experimental strategy for measuring the observability of other minds" by Cristina Becchio et al. Phys Life Rev 2017; 24:111-113. [PMID: 29122561 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2017.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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28
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Fiore A, Pazzaglia M. Commentary: Cortical Plasticity and Olfactory Function in Early Blindness. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 10:689. [PMID: 28119592 PMCID: PMC5220096 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Fiore
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”Rome, Italy
| | - Mariella Pazzaglia
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia FoundationRome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Mariella Pazzaglia
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29
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Oberwelland E, Schilbach L, Barisic I, Krall SC, Vogeley K, Fink GR, Herpertz-Dahlmann B, Konrad K, Schulte-Rüther M. Young adolescents with autism show abnormal joint attention network: A gaze contingent fMRI study. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2017; 14:112-121. [PMID: 28180069 PMCID: PMC5279905 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2017.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral research has revealed deficits in the development of joint attention (JA) as one of the earliest signs of autism. While the neural basis of JA has been studied predominantly in adults, we recently demonstrated a protracted development of the brain networks supporting JA in typically developing children and adolescents. The present eye-tracking/fMRI study now extends these findings to adolescents with autism. Our results show that in adolescents with autism JA is subserved by abnormal activation patterns in brain areas related to social cognition abnormalities which are at the core of ASD including the STS and TPJ, despite behavioral maturation with no behavioral differences. Furthermore, in the autism group we observed increased neural activity in a network of social and emotional processing areas during interactions with their mother. Moreover, data indicated that less severely affected individuals with autism showed higher frontal activation associated with self-initiated interactions. Taken together, this study provides first-time data of JA in children/adolescents with autism incorporating the interactive character of JA, its reciprocity and motivational aspects. The observed functional differences in adolescents ASD suggest that persistent developmental differences in the neural processes underlying JA contribute to social interaction difficulties in ASD. Gaze-contingent fMRI task to study joint attention in a developmental sample with autism JA in the autism group elicited abnormal activation in social cognition related areas. The interaction partner's familiarity modulated brain activity in the autism group. In the autism group frontal activation is related to the severity of communication deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Oberwelland
- Child Neuropsychology Section, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Germany; Translational Brain Research in Psychiatry and Neurology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Aachen, Germany; Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Jülich Research Center, Germany
| | - L Schilbach
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Cologne, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - I Barisic
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Cologne, Germany; Department of Humanities, Social and Political Science, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - S C Krall
- Child Neuropsychology Section, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Germany; Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Jülich Research Center, Germany
| | - K Vogeley
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Jülich Research Center, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Cologne, Germany
| | - G R Fink
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Jülich Research Center, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, Germany
| | - B Herpertz-Dahlmann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | - K Konrad
- Child Neuropsychology Section, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Germany; Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Jülich Research Center, Germany
| | - M Schulte-Rüther
- Child Neuropsychology Section, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Germany; Translational Brain Research in Psychiatry and Neurology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Aachen, Germany; Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Jülich Research Center, Germany
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30
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Cavazzana A, Wesarg C, Parish-Morris J, Lundström JN, Parma V. When preschoolers follow their eyes and older children follow their noses: visuo-olfactory social affective matching in childhood. Dev Sci 2016; 21. [PMID: 27859959 DOI: 10.1111/desc.12507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recognition of emotional facial expressions is a crucial skill for adaptive behavior that most often occurs in a multi-sensory context. Affective matching tasks have been used across development to investigate how people integrate facial information with other senses. Given the relative affective strength of olfaction and its relevance in mediating social information since birth, we assessed olfactory-visual matching abilities in a group of 140 children between the ages of 3 and 11 years old. We presented one of three odor primes (rose, fish and no-odor, rated as pleasant or unpleasant by individual children) before a facial choice task (happy vs. disgusted face). Children were instructed to select one of two faces. As expected, children of all ages tended to choose happy faces. Children younger than 5 years of age were biased towards choosing the happy face, irrespective of the odor smelled. After age 5, an affective matching strategy guided children's choices. Smelling a pleasant odor predicted the choice of happy faces, whereas smelling the unpleasant or fish odor predicted the choice of disgusted faces. The present study fills a gap in the developmental literature on olfactory-visual affective strategies that affect decision-making, and represents an important step towards understanding the underlying developmental processes that shape the typical social mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annachiara Cavazzana
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Julia Parish-Morris
- Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Johan N Lundström
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Valentina Parma
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,SISSA, Neuroscience Area, Trieste, Italy
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31
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Casartelli L, Molteni M, Ronconi L. So close yet so far: Motor anomalies impacting on social functioning in autism spectrum disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 63:98-105. [PMID: 26855233 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Difficulties in the social domain and motor anomalies have been widely investigated in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, they have been generally considered as independent, and therefore tackled separately. Recent advances in neuroscience have hypothesized that the cortical motor system can play a role not only as a controller of elementary physical features of movement, but also in a complex domain as social cognition. Here, going beyond previous studies on ASD that described difficulties in the motor and in the social domain separately, we focus on the impact of motor mechanisms anomalies on social functioning. We consider behavioral, electrophysiological and neuroimaging findings supporting the idea that motor cognition is a critical "intermediate phenotype" for ASD. Motor cognition anomalies in ASD affect the processes of extraction, codification and subsequent translation of "external" social information into the motor system. Intriguingly, this alternative "motor" approach to the social domain difficulties in ASD may be promising to bridge the gap between recent experimental findings and clinical practice, potentially leading to refined preventive approaches and successful treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Casartelli
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea Bosisio Parini, Italy; Developmental Psychopathology Unit, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Italy.
| | - Massimo Molteni
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Luca Ronconi
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea Bosisio Parini, Italy; Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Italy.
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32
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Kumazaki H, Muramatsu T, Fujisawa TX, Miyao M, Matsuura E, Okada KI, Kosaka H, Tomoda A, Mimura M. Assessment of olfactory detection thresholds in children with autism spectrum disorders using a pulse ejection system. Mol Autism 2016; 7:6. [PMID: 26788283 PMCID: PMC4717641 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-016-0071-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atypical responsiveness to olfactory stimuli has been reported as the strongest predictor of social impairment in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, previous laboratory-based sensory psychophysical studies that have aimed to investigate olfactory sensitivity in children with ASD have produced inconsistent results. The methodology of these studies is limited by several factors, and more sophisticated approaches are required to produce consistent results. METHODS We measured olfactory detection thresholds in children with ASD and typical development (TD) using a pulse ejection system-a newly developed methodology designed to resolve problems encountered in previous studies. The two odorants used as stimuli were isoamyl acetate and allyl caproate. RESULTS Forty-three participants took part in this study: 23 (6 females, 17 males) children with ASD and 20 with TD (6 females, 14 males). Olfactory detection thresholds of children with ASD were significantly higher than those of TD children with both isoamyl acetate (2.85 ± 0.28 vs 1.57 ± 0.15; p < 0.001) and allyl caproate ( 3.30 ± 0.23 vs 1.17 ± 0.08; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We found impaired olfactory detection thresholds in children with ASD. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the olfactory abnormalities that children with ASD experience. Considering the role and effect that odors play in our daily lives, insensitivity to some odorants might have a tremendous impact on children with ASD. Future studies of olfactory processing in ASD may reveal important links between brain function, clinically relevant behavior, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Kumazaki
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, 23-3, Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui 910-1193 Japan ; Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582 Japan
| | - Taro Muramatsu
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582 Japan
| | - Takashi X Fujisawa
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, 23-3, Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui 910-1193 Japan
| | - Masutomo Miyao
- Donguri Psycho Developmental Clinic, Setagayaterasu # 1F, 4-14-5 Minamikarasuyama, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-0062 Japan
| | - Eri Matsuura
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8522 Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Okada
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8522 Japan
| | - Hirotaka Kosaka
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, 23-3, Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui 910-1193 Japan
| | - Akemi Tomoda
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, 23-3, Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui 910-1193 Japan
| | - Masaru Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582 Japan
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The motor way: Clinical implications of understanding and shaping actions with the motor system in autism and drug addiction. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2015; 16:191-206. [DOI: 10.3758/s13415-015-0399-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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34
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Luisier AC, Petitpierre G, Ferdenzi C, Clerc Bérod A, Giboreau A, Rouby C, Bensafi M. Odor Perception in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and its Relationship to Food Neophobia. Front Psychol 2015; 6:1830. [PMID: 26648891 PMCID: PMC4664613 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Atypical sensory functioning in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been well documented in the last decade for the visual, tactile and auditory systems, but olfaction in ASD is still understudied. The aim of the present study was to examine whether children with ASD and neuro-typically (NT) developed children differed in odor perception, at the cognitive (familiarity and identification ability), sensorimotor (olfactory exploration) and affective levels (hedonic evaluation). Because an important function of the sense of smell is its involvement in eating, from food selection to appreciation and recognition, a potential link between odor perception and food neophobia was also investigated. To these ends, 10 children between 6 and 13 years old diagnosed with ASD and 10 NT control children were tested. To compare performance, 16 stimuli were used and food neophobia was assessed by the parents on a short food neophobia scale. Results revealed that (i) significant hedonic discrimination between attractive and aversive odors was observed in NT (p = 0.005; d = 2.378) and ASD children (p = 0.042; d = 0.941), and (ii) hedonic discrimination level was negatively correlated with food neophobia scores in ASD (p = 0.007) but not NT children. In conclusion, this study offers new insights into odor perception in ASD children, highlighting a relationship between odor hedonic reactivity and eating behavior. This opens up new perspectives on both (i) the role of olfaction in the construction of eating behavior in ASD children, and (ii) the measurement and meaning of food neophobia in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Claude Luisier
- Research Center in Neurosciences of Lyon, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM U1028, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 Lyon, France ; Senso5 Foundation Sion, Switzerland ; Institute of Special Education, University of Fribourg Fribourg, Switzerland
| | | | - Camille Ferdenzi
- Research Center in Neurosciences of Lyon, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM U1028, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 Lyon, France
| | | | - Agnes Giboreau
- Research Center in Neurosciences of Lyon, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM U1028, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 Lyon, France ; Center for Food and Hospitality Research, Institut Paul Bocuse Ecully, France
| | - Catherine Rouby
- Research Center in Neurosciences of Lyon, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM U1028, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 Lyon, France
| | - Moustafa Bensafi
- Research Center in Neurosciences of Lyon, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM U1028, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 Lyon, France
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Abstract
Interpersonal interactions are primarily mediated through vision. However, crucial information concerning other individuals is also captured through different senses. New evidence suggests that body odors can implicitly initiate, filter, and guide the integrated perceptions that characterize real human impressions. Human body-odor processing helps rapidly differentiate kin from friends and friends from foes, as well as identify potential threats or increase alertness to the proximity of strangers, thereby guiding social preference. Body odors, which are potent sources of discriminative, affective, and motor knowledge, elicit neural activity partly or exclusively outside the primary olfactory cortices in the brain areas responsible for the processing of social information, which are activated by equivalent visual signals. Body odors, which can act as an authenticator of truth and are reliably invoked to shape social relations, require us to revise our view of the traditional body-communication models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella Pazzaglia
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Santa Lucia
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36
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37
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Lübke KT, Pause BM. Always follow your nose: the functional significance of social chemosignals in human reproduction and survival. Horm Behav 2015; 68:134-44. [PMID: 25637403 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Chemosignals and Reproduction" Across phyla, chemosensory communication is crucial for mediating a variety of social behaviors, which form the basis for ontogenetic and phylogenetic survival. In the present paper, evidence on chemosensory communication in humans, with special reference to reproduction and survival, will be presented. First, the impact of chemosignals on human reproduction will be reviewed. Work will be presented, showing how chemosensory signals are involved in mate choice and partnership formation by communicating attractiveness and facilitating a partner selection, which is of evolutionary advantage, and furthermore providing information about the level of sexual hormones. In addition to direct effects on phylogenetic survival, chemosignals indirectly aid reproductive success by fostering harm protection. Results will be presented, showing that chemosensory communication aids the emotional bond between mother and child, which in turn motivates parental caretaking and protection, leading to infant survival. Moreover, the likelihood of group survival can be increased through the use of stress-related chemosignals. Stress-related chemosignals induce a stress-related physiology in the perceiver, thereby priming a fight-flight-response, which is necessary for an optimum adaption to environmental harm. Finally, effects of sexual orientation on chemosensory communication will be discussed in terms of their putative role in stabilizing social groups, which might indirectly provide harm protection and foster survival. An integrative model of the presented data will be introduced. In conclusion, an outlook, focusing on the involvement of chemosensory communication in human social behavior and illustrating a novel approach to the significance of chemosensory signals in human survival, will be given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin T Lübke
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Bettina M Pause
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Where there is a goal, there is a way: what, why and how the parieto-frontal mirror network can mediate imitative behaviours. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 47:177-93. [PMID: 25149267 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Revised: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The relationships between mirror neurons (MNs) and motor imitation, and its clinical implications in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been widely investigated; however, the literature remains—at least partially—controversial. In this review we support a multi-level action understanding model focusing on the mirror-based understanding. We review the functional role of the parieto-frontal MNs (PFMN) network claiming that PFMNs function cannot be limited to imitation nor can imitation be explained solely by the activity of PFMNs. The distinction between movement, motor act and motor action is useful to characterize deeply both act(ion) understanding and imitation of act(ion). A more abstract representation of act(ion) may be crucial for clarifying what, why and how an imitator is imitating. What counts in social interactions is achieving goals: it does not matter which effector or string of motor acts you eventually use for achieving (proximal and distal) goals. Similarly, what counts is the ability to recognize/imitate the style of act(ion) regardless of the way in which it is expressed. We address this crucial point referring to its potential implications in ASD.
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Parma V, Bulgheroni M, Tirindelli R, Castiello U. Facilitation of action planning in children with autism: the contribution of the maternal body odor. Brain Cogn 2014; 88:73-82. [PMID: 24861501 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2014.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Revised: 05/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Imitation is a key socio-cognitive skill impaired in individuals with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). It is known that the familiarity with an actor facilitates the appearance of imitative abilities. Here, we explore whether a highly familiar and socially relevant stimulus presented in the olfactory modality is able to improve spontaneous imitation as early as at the level of action planning. A group of 20 children with ASC and 20 controls observed their own mother or the mother of another child performing a reach-to-grasp action towards an object, under the exposure to their maternal odor, the odor of the mother of another child or no odor. Subsequently, children acted upon the same object with no specific instruction to imitate. Child's movement initiation time (MIT) served as an indicator of motor planning facilitation induced by action observation. Results suggest that for children with ASC (but not controls) MIT was significantly lower when exposed to the maternal odor both when interacting with a familiar or an unfamiliar model. In the former case, the performance is comparable to controls. The familiar model in the absence of any olfactory cue is able to induce a facilitation effect, but the maximal facilitation on MIT is evident when maternal odor and familiar model are paired. We hypothesize that for children with ASC the maternal odor provides relevant social motivation for taking advantage of others' actions when planning movements in an imitative context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Parma
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia, 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | | | - Roberto Tirindelli
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Parma, Via Volturno, 39E, 43100 Parma, Italy
| | - Umberto Castiello
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia, 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Kapp SK. Empathizing with sensory and movement differences: moving toward sensitive understanding of autism. Front Integr Neurosci 2013; 7:38. [PMID: 23745107 PMCID: PMC3662878 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2013.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Steven K. Kapp
- Human Development and Psychology Division, Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, University of California Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA, USA
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