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Chan MMY, Choi CXT, Tsoi TCW, Zhong J, Han YMY. Clinical and neuropsychological correlates of theta-band functional excitation-inhibition ratio in autism: An EEG study. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 163:56-67. [PMID: 38703700 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.04.004] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE How abnormal brain signaling impacts cognition in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remained elusive. This study aimed to investigate the local and global brain signaling in ASD indicated by theta-band functional excitation-inhibition (fE/I) ratio and explored psychophysiological relationships between fE/I, cognitive deficits, and ASD symptomatology. METHODS A total of 83 ASD and typically developing (TD) individuals participated in this study. Participants' interference control and set-shifting abilities were assessed. Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) was used for estimating theta-band fE/I ratio. RESULTS ASD individuals (n = 31 without visual EEG abnormality; n = 22 with visual EEG abnormality) generally performed slower in a cognitive task tapping interference control and set-maintenance abilities, but only ASD individuals with visually abnormal EEG performed significantly slower than their TD counterparts (Bonferroni-corrected ps < .001). Heightened theta-band fE/I ratios at the whole-head level, left and right hemispheres were observed in the ASD subgroup without visual EEG abnormality only (Bonferroni-corrected ps < .001), which remained highly significant when only data from medication-naïve participants were analyzed. In addition, higher left hemispheric fE/I ratios in ASD individuals without visual EEG abnormality were significantly correlated with faster interference control task performance, in turn faster reaction time was significantly associated with less severe restricted, repetitive behavior (Bonferroni-corrected ps ≤ .0017). CONCLUSIONS Differential theta-band fE/I within the ASD population. Heightened theta-band fE/I in ASD without visual EEG abnormality may be associated with more efficient filtering of distractors and a less severe ASD symptom manifestation. SIGNIFICANCE Brain signaling, indicated by theta-band fE/I, was different in ASD subgroups. Only ASD with visually-normal EEG showed heightened theta-band fE/I, which was associated with faster processing of visual distractors during a cognitive task. More efficient distractor filtering was associated with less restricted, repetitive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody M Y Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Coco X T Choi
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Tom C W Tsoi
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Junpei Zhong
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yvonne M Y Han
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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Modarres M, Cochran D, Kennedy DN, Frazier JA. Comparison of comprehensive quantitative EEG metrics between typically developing boys and girls in resting state eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1237651. [PMID: 38021243 PMCID: PMC10659091 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1237651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction A majority of published studies comparing quantitative EEG (qEEG) in typically developing (TD) children and children with neurodevelopmental or psychiatric disorders have used a control group (e.g., TD children) that combines boys and girls. This suggests a widespread supposition that typically developing boys and girls have similar brain activity at all locations and frequencies, allowing the data from TD boys and girls to be aggregated in a single group. Methods In this study, we have rigorously challenged this assumption by performing a comprehensive qEEG analysis on EEG recoding of TD boys (n = 84) and girls (n = 62), during resting state eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions (EEG recordings from Child Mind Institute's Healthy Brain Network (HBN) initiative). Our qEEG analysis was performed over narrow-band frequencies (e.g., separating low α from high α, etc.), included sex, age, and head size as covariates in the analysis, and encompassed computation of a wide range of qEEG metrics that included both absolute and relative spectral power levels, regional hemispheric asymmetry, and inter- and intra-hemispheric magnitude coherences as well as phase coherency among cortical regions. We have also introduced a novel compact yet comprehensive visual presentation of the results that allows comparison of the qEEG metrics of boys and girls for the entire EEG locations, pairs, and frequencies in a single graph. Results Our results show there are wide-spread EEG locations and frequencies where TD boys and girls exhibit differences in their absolute and relative spectral powers, hemispheric power asymmetry, and magnitude coherence and phase synchrony. Discussion These findings strongly support the necessity of including sex, age, and head size as covariates in the analysis of qEEG of children, and argue against combining data from boys and girls. Our analysis also supports the utility of narrow-band frequencies, e.g., dividing α, β, and γ band into finer sub-scales. The results of this study can serve as a comprehensive normative qEEG database for resting state studies in children containing both eyes open and eyes closed paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mo Modarres
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - David Cochran
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School/UMass Memorial Health Care, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - David N. Kennedy
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jean A. Frazier
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School/UMass Memorial Health Care, Worcester, MA, United States
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Chan MMY, Choi CXT, Tsoi TCW, Shea CKS, Yiu KWK, Han YMY. Effects of multisession cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation with cognitive training on sociocognitive functioning and brain dynamics in autism: A double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized EEG study. Brain Stimul 2023; 16:1604-1616. [PMID: 37918630 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few treatment options are available for targeting core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The development of treatments that target common neural circuit dysfunctions caused by known genetic defects, namely, disruption of the excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance, is promising. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is capable of modulating the E/I balance in healthy individuals, yet its clinical and neurobiological effects in ASD remain elusive. OBJECTIVE This double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial investigated the effects of multisession cathodal prefrontal tDCS coupled with online cognitive remediation on social functioning, information processing efficiency and the E/I balance in ASD patients aged 14-21 years. METHODS Sixty individuals were randomly assigned to receive either active or sham tDCS (10 sessions in total, 20 min/session, stimulation intensity: 1.5 mA, cathode: F3, anode: Fp2, size of electrodes: 25 cm2) combined with 20 min of online cognitive remediation. Social functioning, information processing efficiency during cognitive tasks, and theta- and gamma-band E/I balance were measured one day before and after the treatment. RESULTS Compared to sham tDCS, active cathodal tDCS was effective in enhancing overall social functioning [F(1, 58) = 6.79, p = .012, ηp2 = 0.105, 90% CI: (0.013, 0.234)] and information processing efficiency during cognitive tasks [F(1, 58) = 10.07, p = .002, ηp2 = 0.148, 90% CI: (0.034, 0.284)] in these individuals. Electroencephalography data showed that this cathodal tDCS protocol was effective in reducing the theta-band E/I ratio of the cortical midline structures [F(1, 58) = 4.65, p = .035, ηp2 = 0.074, 90% CI: (0.010, 0.150)] and that this reduction significantly predicted information processing efficiency enhancement (b = -2.546, 95% BCa CI: [-4.979, -0.113], p = .041). CONCLUSION Our results support the use of multisession cathodal tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex combined with online cognitive remediation for reducing the elevated theta-band E/I ratio in sociocognitive information processing circuits in ASD patients, resulting in more adaptive regulation of global brain dynamics that is associated with enhanced information processing efficiency after the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody M Y Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Coco X T Choi
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Tom C W Tsoi
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Caroline K S Shea
- Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Klaire W K Yiu
- Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yvonne M Y Han
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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Cano-Villagrasa A, Moya-Faz FJ, Cortés-Ramos A, López-Zamora M. Emotional and behavioral alterations and their relationship with executive functioning in the pediatric population with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy: a comparative study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1219177. [PMID: 37457105 PMCID: PMC10348750 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1219177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The pediatric population with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and epilepsy presents behavioral and emotional alterations that hinder their correct developmental maturation as well as their integration in different contexts such as school, family or social. This population shows atypical behavioral and emotional patterns, with difficulties in emotional regulation, understanding of emotions, aggressiveness, or low frustration tolerance. They also present alterations in executive functions, which significantly influence the emotional and behavioral characteristics of this population. Research suggests that epilepsy worsens the emotional, behavioral, and executive functioning status. Objective To explore differences in behavioral, emotional, and executive functioning profile in individuals with a diagnosis of ASD, epilepsy, and ASD with epilepsy. Method In this quasi-experimental and cross-sectional study, a total of 170 participants were selected and distributed into three groups: a group of participants with ASD, a group with epilepsy, and a group of participants with ASD and epilepsy. The SENA, BASC-3, and ENFEN tests were administered to verify the behavioral, emotional, and executive functioning profile in the three groups. Results The results indicate that individuals diagnosed with ASD and epilepsy present greater emotional, behavioral, and executive functioning alterations compared to those who only present ASD or epilepsy. Conclusion Individuals with ASD and epilepsy present significant alterations in emotional, behavioral, and executive functioning processes, which hinder their adaptation to different contexts, as well as decreasing their quality of life and that of their family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Cano-Villagrasa
- Health Sciences PhD Program, Departamento de Psicología Básica, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica de Murcia UCAM, Murcia, Spain
- Universidad Internacional de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco J. Moya-Faz
- Cátedra Psicogeriatría, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio Cortés-Ramos
- Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Facultad de Psicología y Logopedia, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Miguel López-Zamora
- Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Facultad de Psicología y Logopedia, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
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Bennison SA, Blazejewski SM, Liu X, Hacohen-Kleiman G, Sragovich S, Zoidou S, Touloumi O, Grigoriadis N, Gozes I, Toyo-Oka K. The cytoplasmic localization of ADNP through 14-3-3 promotes sex-dependent neuronal morphogenesis, cortical connectivity, and calcium signaling. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1946-1959. [PMID: 36631597 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01939-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Defective neuritogenesis is a contributing pathogenic mechanism underlying a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders. Single gene mutations in activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) are the most frequent among autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) leading to the ADNP syndrome. Previous studies showed that during neuritogenesis, Adnp localizes to the cytoplasm/neurites, and Adnp knockdown inhibits neuritogenesis in culture. Here, we hypothesized that Adnp is localized in the cytoplasm during neurite formation and that this process is mediated by 14-3-3. Indeed, applying the 14-3-3 inhibitor, difopein, blocked Adnp cytoplasmic localization. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitations showed that Adnp bound 14-3-3 proteins and proteomic analysis identified several potential phosphorylation-dependent Adnp/14-3-3 binding sites. We further discovered that knockdown of Adnp using in utero electroporation of mouse layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in the somatosensory cortex led to previously unreported changes in neurite formation beginning at P0. Defects were sustained throughout development, the most notable included increased basal dendrite number and axon length. Paralleling the observed morphological aberrations, ex vivo calcium imaging revealed that Adnp deficient neurons had greater and more frequent spontaneous calcium influx in female mice. GRAPHIC, a novel synaptic tracing technology substantiated this finding, revealing increased interhemispheric connectivity between female Adnp deficient layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons. We conclude that Adnp is localized to the cytoplasm by 14-3-3 proteins, where it regulates neurite formation, maturation, and functional cortical connectivity significantly building on our current understanding of Adnp function and the etiology of ADNP syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Bennison
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA
| | - Sara M Blazejewski
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA
| | - Xiaonan Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
| | - Gal Hacohen-Kleiman
- The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Shlomo Sragovich
- The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Sofia Zoidou
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Olga Touloumi
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Grigoriadis
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Illana Gozes
- The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Kazuhito Toyo-Oka
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA.
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Balathay D, Narasimhan U, Belo D, Anandan K. Quantitative assessment of cognitive profile and brain asymmetry in the characterization of autism spectrum in children: A task-based EEG study. Proc Inst Mech Eng H 2023:9544119231170683. [PMID: 37096354 DOI: 10.1177/09544119231170683] [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: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by learning, attention, social, communication, and behavioral impairments. Each person with Autism has a different severity and level of brain functioning, ranging from high functioning (HF) to low functioning (LF), depending on their intellectual/developmental abilities. Identifying the level of functionality remains crucial in understanding the cognitive abilities of Autistic children. Assessment of EEG signals acquired during specific cognitive tasks is more appropriate in identifying brain functional and cognitive load variations. The spectral power of EEG sub-band frequency and parameters related to brain asymmetry has the potential to be employed as indices to characterize brain functioning. Thus, the objective of this work is to analyze the cognitive task-based electrophysiological variations in autistic and control groups, using EEG acquired during two well-defined protocols. Theta to Alpha ratio (TAR) and Theta to Beta ratio (TBR) of absolute powers of the respective sub-band frequencies have been estimated to quantify the cognitive load. The variations in interhemispheric cortical power measured by EEG were studied using the brain asymmetry index. For the arithmetic task, the TBR of the LF group was found to be considerably higher than the HF group. The findings reveal that the spectral powers of EEG sub-bands can be a key indicator in the assessment of high and low-functioning ASD to facilitate appropriate training strategies. Instead of depending solely on behavioral tests to diagnose autism, it could be a beneficial approach to use task-based EEG characteristics to differentiate between the LF and HF groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Balathay
- Centre for Healthcare Technologies, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Udayakumar Narasimhan
- Department of Pediatrics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - David Belo
- Machine Learning for Time Series at Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS, Seixal, Setubal, Portugal
| | - Kavitha Anandan
- Centre for Healthcare Technologies, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
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Andreou M, Konstantopoulos K, Peristeri E. Cognitive flexibility in autism: Evidence from young autistic children. Autism Res 2022; 15:2296-2309. [PMID: 36193816 PMCID: PMC10092108 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We examined the cognitive flexibility performance of young autistic children and a group of neurotypical peers. Thirty-six autistic children (72-83 months) and 200 age-matched typically-developing children were assessed on the Children's Color Trails Test (CCTT), a semantic and a phonemic verbal fluency task. The results showed that the autistic children performed worse than their neurotypical peers in the switching component of the CCTT. In the fluency tests, the autistic group generated overall fewer word items than their neurotypical peers, however, their poorer performance was driven by specific linguistic stimuli in the fluency tasks. The findings suggest that cognitive flexibility for the autistic children was affected in the nonverbal CCTT only, while poor performance in semantic and phonemic fluency seemed to be inherent to the language properties of the verbal fluency tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Andreou
- Department of Speech and Language TherapyUniversity of PeloponneseKalamataGreece
| | | | - Eleni Peristeri
- School of EnglishAristotle University of ThessalonikiThessalonikiGreece
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Chan MMY, Chan MC, Yeung MK, Wang SM, Liu D, Han YMY. Aberrant prefrontal functional connectivity during verbal fluency test is associated with reading comprehension deficits in autism spectrum disorder: An fNIRS study. Front Psychol 2022; 13:984777. [PMID: 36204740 PMCID: PMC9530129 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.984777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show marked difficulties in reading comprehension, a complex cognitive skill fundamental to successful daily functioning that is associated with core executive functions. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying reading comprehension deficits in these children remain elusive. Twenty-one right-handed males with high-functioning ASD (mean age = 10.24 years) and 23 age-, IQ-, educational level-, sex- and handedness-matched typically developing (TD; mean age = 10.14 years) individuals underwent a reading comprehension test and the semantic verbal fluency test that tapped core executive functions underlying reading comprehension during concurrent prefrontal functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measurement. Participants’ information processing efficiency was also assessed. High-functioning ASD children exhibited general reading comprehension [main effect of group: F(1,40) = 7.58, p = 0.009], selective verbal fluency deficits [Group × category interaction: F(1,42) = 4.90, p = 0.032] and slower processing speed (t42 = 2.36, p = 0.023). Regarding the hemodynamics of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), although ASD individuals showed comparable patterns of PFC brain activation to their healthy counterparts, lower PFC intrahemispheric [main effect of group: F(1,42) = 11.36, p = 0.002] and interhemispheric [main effect of group: F(1,42) = 7.79, p = 0.008] functional connectivity were evident during the semantic verbal fluency test. At the whole-group level, poorer reading comprehension performance was associated with poorer performance in the semantic verbal fluency test (r42 = 0.508, p < 0.001). Moreover, poorer semantic verbal fluency test performance was associated with slower information processing speed (r42 = –0.312, p = 0.044), which is associated with reduced left medial PFC functional connectivity (r42 = –0.319, p = 0.040). Abnormal intrahemispheric and interhemispheric prefrontal hypoconnectivity is associated with deficits in executive processes essential for reading comprehension in ASD. Our study has provided important implications for the neuropsychological and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying reading comprehension deficits in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody M. Y. Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ming-Chung Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Michael K. Yeung
- Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shu-Mei Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Duo Liu
- Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yvonne M. Y. Han
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Yvonne M. Y. Han,
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Prany W, Patrice C, Franck D, Fabrice W, Mahdi M, Pierre D, Christian M, Jean-Marc G, Fabian G, Francis E, Jean-Marc B, Bérengère GG. EEG resting-state functional connectivity: evidence for an imbalance of external/internal information integration in autism. J Neurodev Disord 2022; 14:47. [PMID: 36030210 PMCID: PMC9419397 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-022-09456-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with atypical neural activity in resting state. Most of the studies have focused on abnormalities in alpha frequency as a marker of ASD dysfunctions. However, few have explored alpha synchronization within a specific interest in resting-state networks, namely the default mode network (DMN), the sensorimotor network (SMN), and the dorsal attention network (DAN). These functional connectivity analyses provide relevant insight into the neurophysiological correlates of multimodal integration in ASD. Methods Using high temporal resolution EEG, the present study investigates the functional connectivity in the alpha band within and between the DMN, SMN, and the DAN. We examined eyes-closed EEG alpha lagged phase synchronization, using standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) in 29 participants with ASD and 38 developing (TD) controls (age, sex, and IQ matched). Results We observed reduced functional connectivity in the ASD group relative to TD controls, within and between the DMN, the SMN, and the DAN. We identified three hubs of dysconnectivity in ASD: the posterior cingulate cortex, the precuneus, and the medial frontal gyrus. These three regions also presented decreased current source density in the alpha band. Conclusion These results shed light on possible multimodal integration impairments affecting the communication between bottom-up and top-down information. The observed hypoconnectivity between the DMN, SMN, and DAN could also be related to difficulties in switching between externally oriented attention and internally oriented thoughts. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11689-022-09456-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wantzen Prany
- Normandie univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université Paris, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France.,Université de Paris, LaPsyDÉ, CNRS, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Clochon Patrice
- Normandie univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université Paris, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Doidy Franck
- Normandie univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université Paris, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Wallois Fabrice
- INSERM UMR-S 1105, GRAMFC, Université de Picardie-Jules Verne, CHU Sud, 80025, Amiens, France
| | - Mahmoudzadeh Mahdi
- INSERM UMR-S 1105, GRAMFC, Université de Picardie-Jules Verne, CHU Sud, 80025, Amiens, France
| | - Desaunay Pierre
- Normandie univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université Paris, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Mille Christian
- Centre Ressources Autisme Picardie, Service de Psychopathologie Enfants et Adolescents, CHU, 4 rue Grenier et Bernard, 80000, Amiens, France
| | - Guilé Jean-Marc
- INSERM UMR-S 1105, GRAMFC, Université de Picardie-Jules Verne, CHU Sud, 80025, Amiens, France.,Centre Ressources Autisme Picardie, Service de Psychopathologie Enfants et Adolescents, CHU, 4 rue Grenier et Bernard, 80000, Amiens, France
| | - Guénolé Fabian
- Normandie univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université Paris, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Eustache Francis
- Normandie univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université Paris, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Baleyte Jean-Marc
- Normandie univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université Paris, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France.,Service de Psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, Centre Hospitalier Interuniversitaire de Créteil, 94000, Créteil, France
| | - Guillery-Girard Bérengère
- Normandie univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université Paris, EPHE, INSERM, U1077, CHU de Caen, GIP Cyceron, Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, 14000, Caen, France.
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10
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Cañigueral R, Palmer J, Ashwood KL, Azadi B, Asherson P, Bolton PF, McLoughlin G, Tye C. Alpha oscillatory activity during attentional control in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and ASD+ADHD. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2022; 63:745-761. [PMID: 34477232 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) share impairments in top-down and bottom-up modulation of attention. However, it is not yet well understood if co-occurrence of ASD and ADHD reflects a distinct or additive profile of attention deficits. We aimed to characterise alpha oscillatory activity (stimulus-locked alpha desynchronisation and prestimulus alpha) as an index of integration of top-down and bottom-up attentional processes in ASD and ADHD. METHODS Children with ASD, ADHD, comorbid ASD+ADHD, and typically-developing children completed a fixed-choice reaction-time task ('Fast task') while neurophysiological activity was recorded. Outcome measures were derived from source-decomposed neurophysiological data. Main measures of interest were prestimulus alpha power and alpha desynchronisation (difference between poststimulus and prestimulus alpha). Poststimulus activity linked to attention allocation (P1, P3), attentional control (N2), and cognitive control (theta synchronisation, 100-600 ms) was also examined. ANOVA was used to test differences across diagnostics groups on these measures. Spearman's correlations were used to investigate the relationship between attentional control processes (alpha oscillations), central executive functions (theta synchronisation), early visual processing (P1), and behavioural performance. RESULTS Children with ADHD (ADHD and ASD+ADHD) showed attenuated alpha desynchronisation, indicating poor integration of top-down and bottom-up attentional processes. Children with ADHD showed reduced N2 and P3 amplitudes, while children with ASD (ASD and ASD+ADHD) showed greater N2 amplitude, indicating atypical attentional control and attention allocation across ASD and ADHD. In the ASD group, prestimulus alpha and theta synchronisation were negatively correlated, and alpha desynchronisation and theta synchronisation were positively correlated, suggesting an atypical association between attentional control processes and executive functions. CONCLUSIONS ASD and ADHD are associated with disorder-specific impairments, while children with ASD+ADHD overall presented an additive profile with attentional deficits of both disorders. Importantly, these findings may inform the improvement of transdiagnostic procedures and optimisation of personalised intervention approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roser Cañigueral
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jason Palmer
- Department of Neurological Diagnosis and Restoration, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, CoMIT, Suita, Japan.,Institute for Neural Computation, Univeristy of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Karen L Ashwood
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Bahar Azadi
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Philip Asherson
- MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Patrick F Bolton
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK.,MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Gráinne McLoughlin
- MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Charlotte Tye
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK.,MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
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11
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Hamid N, Azizy B, Hamidinejad H. Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Aggression in Autistic Children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2022; 41:492-495. [PMID: 35446813 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000003516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the obligatory intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The main aim of this study was to evaluate a possible relationship between aggression in autistic children with infection by T. gondii. METHODS The research design was an analytical (comparative) cross sectional study. The participants included (N = 100) subjects (50 autistic and 50 normal children) between 3 and 12 years old. They were matched for age, socioeconomic status, lack of physical and mental illness. The instruments were preschool aggression scale and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay procedure to essay the blood sample test. Five milliliters of blood samples were collected to assess the presence of T. gondii infection. RESULTS The results showed that autistic children had a higher rate of infection by T. gondii than normal children. Furthermore, children infected with T. gondii were more aggressive than the noninfected group. CONCLUSIONS In autistic children, T. gondii infection was significantly higher than in the normal group. Also, autistic children who were infected with the parasite were more aggressive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najmeh Hamid
- From the College of Education and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Boshra Azizy
- From the College of Education and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Hossein Hamidinejad
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
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12
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Abnormal Prefrontal Functional Connectivity Is Associated with Inflexible Information Processing in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): An fNIRS Study. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051132. [PMID: 35625869 PMCID: PMC9139038 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are characterized by impairments in flexibly acquiring and maintaining new information, as well as in applying learned information for problem solving. However, the neural mechanism underpinning such impairments remains unclear. This study investigated the flexibility in the acquisition and application of visual information in ASD (aged 14−21) when they performed the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Behavioral data including response accuracy and latency, and prefrontal hemodynamic data measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), were collected when individuals performed WCST. Canonical general linear model and functional connectivity analyses were performed to examine the prefrontal activation and synchronization patterns, respectively. Results showed that although ASD individuals (n = 29) achieved comparable accuracy rates when compared with age- and intelligence quotient (IQ)-matched typically developing (TD; n = 26) individuals (F1,53 = 3.15, p = 0.082), ASD individuals needed significantly more time to acquire and apply WCST card sorting rules (F1,53 = 17.92, p < 0.001). Moreover, ASD individuals showed significantly lower prefrontal functional connectivity than TD individuals during WCST (F1,42 = 9.99, p = 0.003). The hypoconnectivity in ASD individuals was highly significant in the right lateral PFC in the acquisition condition (p = 0.005) and in the bilateral lateral PFC in the application condition (ps = 0.006). Furthermore, slower WCST reaction time was correlated with lower bilateral lateral PFC functional connectivity only in the application condition (ps = 0.003) but not the acquisition condition. Impairment in information acquisition and application is evident in ASD individuals and is mediated by processing speed, which is associated with lower functional connectivity in the bilateral lateral PFC when these individuals apply learned rules to solve novel problems.
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13
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Han YMY, Chan MMY, Shea CKS, Lai OLH, Krishnamurthy K, Cheung MC, Chan AS. Neurophysiological and behavioral effects of multisession prefrontal tDCS and concurrent cognitive remediation training in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): A double-blind, randomized controlled fNIRS study. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:414-425. [PMID: 35181532 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical effects and neurophysiological mechanisms of prefrontal tDCS and concurrent cognitive remediation training in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain unclear. OBJECTIVE This two-armed, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of tDCS combined with concurrent cognitive remediation training on adolescents and young adults with ASD. METHODS Participants were randomly assigned to either active or sham tDCS groups and received 1.5 mA prefrontal tDCS with left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex cathode placement and right supraorbital region anode placement for 20 min over two consecutive weeks. tDCS was delivered concurrently with a computerized cognitive remediation training program. Social functioning and its underlying cognitive processes, as well as prefrontal resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC), were measured. RESULTS The results from 41 participants indicated that multisession prefrontal tDCS, compared to sham tDCS, significantly enhanced the social functioning of ASD individuals [F(1,39) = 4.75, p = .035, ηp2 = 0.11]. This improvement was associated with enhanced emotion recognition [F(1,39) = 8.34, p = .006, ηp2 = 0.18] and cognitive flexibility [F(1,39) = 4.91, p = .033, ηp2 = 0.11]. Specifically, this tDCS protocol optimized information processing efficiency [F(1,39) = 4.43, p = .042, ηp2 = 0.10], and the optimization showed a trend to be associated with enhanced rsFC in the right medial prefrontal cortex (ρ = 0.339, pFDR = .083). CONCLUSION Multisession tDCS with left dlPFC cathode placement and right supraorbital region anode placement paired with concurrent cognitive remediation training promoted social functioning in individuals with ASD. This appeared to be associated with the enhancement of the functional connectivity of the right medial PFC, a major hub for flexible social information processing, allowing these individuals to process information more efficiently in response to different social situations. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT03814083).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne M Y Han
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Melody M Y Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Caroline K S Shea
- Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong, China; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Oscar Long-Hin Lai
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Mei-Chun Cheung
- Department of Social Work, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Agnes S Chan
- Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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14
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Tonizzi I, Giofrè D, Usai MC. Inhibitory Control in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Meta-analyses on Indirect and Direct Measures. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:4949-4965. [PMID: 34816341 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05353-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This manuscript aimed to advance our understanding of inhibitory control (IC) in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), adopting a meta-analytic multilevel approach. The first meta-analysis, on 164 studies adopting direct measures, indicated a significant small-to-medium (g = 0.484) deficit in the group with ASD (n = 5140) compared with controls (n = 6075). Similar effect sizes between response inhibition and interference control were found, but they were differentially affected by intellectual functioning and age. The second meta-analysis, on 24 studies using indirect measures, revealed a large deficit (g = 1.334) in the group with ASD (n = 985) compared with controls (n = 1300). Presentation format, intellectual functioning, and age were significant moderators. The effect of comorbidity with ADHD was not statistically significant. Implications are discussed for IC research and practice in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Tonizzi
- Department of Educational Sciences, University of Genoa, Corso Podestà 2, 16128, Genoa, Italy
| | - David Giofrè
- Department of Educational Sciences, University of Genoa, Corso Podestà 2, 16128, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Carmen Usai
- Department of Educational Sciences, University of Genoa, Corso Podestà 2, 16128, Genoa, Italy.
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15
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Ludyga S, Pühse U, Gerber M, Mücke M. Muscle strength and executive function in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2021; 14:2555-2563. [PMID: 34351051 PMCID: PMC9292567 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The development of effective (non‐pharmacological) treatment approaches for executive dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) requires evidence that factors influencing this domain can be modified by behavioral interventions. The present cross‐sectional study investigated the relative associations of ASD, muscle strength and body mass index with executive function and information processing among the Healthy Brain Network cohort. Patients with ASD (N = 174) and healthy peers (N = 202) aged 5 to 18 years completed cognitive tasks of the NIH toolbox (Pattern Comparison, Flanker, List Sorting, Card Sorting) to assess core components of executive function and information processing. Additionally, anthropometrics and muscle strength were collected from selected items (push‐ups, curl‐ups, trunk lift, and grip strength) of the Fitnessgram battery. Based on structural equation modeling, ASD was related to impaired muscle strength and executive function, when confounders (age, sex, pubertal status, and socioeconomic status) were accounted for. Muscle strength further showed independent contributions to information processing and executive function. This association was moderated by ASD, so that higher muscle strength was related to higher executive function in ASD patients only. The present findings provide a first indication that the promotion of muscle strength may have the potential to generally enhance information processing and to reduce ASD‐related executive dysfunction in children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Ludyga
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Uwe Pühse
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus Gerber
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Mücke
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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16
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Zhang DW, Zaphf A, Klingberg T. Resting State EEG Related to Mathematical Improvement After Spatial Training in Children. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:698367. [PMID: 34305556 PMCID: PMC8297825 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.698367] [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: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial cognitive abilities, including mental rotation (MR) and visuo-spatial working memory (vsWM) are correlated with mathematical performance, and several studies have shown that training of these abilities can enhance mathematical performance. Here, we investigated the behavioral and neural correlates of MR and vsWM training combined with number line (NL) training. Fifty-seven children, aged 6–7, performed 25 days of NL training combined with either vsWM or MR and participated in an Electroencephalography (EEG)-session in school to measure resting state activity and steady-state visual evoked potentials during a vsWM task before and after training. Fifty children, aged 6–7, received usual teaching and acted as a control group. Compared to the control group, both training groups improved on a combined measure of mathematics. Cognitive improvement was specific to the training. Significant pre-post changes in resting state-EEG (rs-EEG), common to both training groups, were found for power as well as for coherence, with no significant differences in rs-EEG-changes between the vsWM and MR groups. Two of the common rs-EEG changes were correlated with mathematical improvement: (1) an increase in coherence between the central frontal lobe and the right parietal lobe in frequencies ranging from 16 to 25 Hz, and (2) an increase in coherence between the left frontal lobe and the right parietal lobe ranging from 23 to 25 Hz. These results indicate that changes in fronto-parietal coherence are related to an increase in mathematical performance, which thus might be a useful measure in further investigations of mathematical interventions in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Wei Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Zaphf
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Torkel Klingberg
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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17
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Arán Filippetti V, Gutierrez M, Krumm G, Mateos D. Convergent validity, academic correlates and age- and SES-based normative data for the d2 Test of attention in children. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-CHILD 2021; 11:629-639. [PMID: 34033722 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2021.1923494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The d2, test of attention is one of the most used neuropsychological tests to measure attention in clinical and research settings. To date, no studies have examined neither its convergent and divergent validity in children nor its relationship with academic skills at school age. The aims of the present study were: (1) to examine the convergent and divergent validity of the d2 Test in a non-clinical pediatric population, (2) to explore the relationship between d2 task performance and academic skills (i.e., math, reading and writing abilities) and (3) to develop normative data for Spanish-speaking children (n = 360 8- to 12-year-old children) stratified by age and socioeconomic status (SES). Pearson's correlation and Structural Equation Models (SEM) were used to analyze the d2 Test validity and its relationship with academic skills. A between-subjects factorial MANOVA was used to examine differences among SES (Middle, Low), age (8-10, 11-12), and sex (male, female). Findings revealed a significant relationship between d2 task performance and all attention and executive functions (EF) measures under analysis providing evidence of good convergent validity. Furthermore, SEM results showed that attention has direct effects on math and reading and writing skills. Finally, our study confirms the influence of age and SES on d2 task performance and provides normative data for middle- and low-SES children. These results have important implications for the assessment of attention functions in clinical and research settings in children with typical and atypical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Arán Filippetti
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Centro Interdisciplinario en Ciencias de la Salud y del Comportamiento (CIICSAC), Universidad Adventista del Plata, Entre Ríos, Argentina.,Facultad de Humanidades, Educación y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Adventista del Plata, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - Marisel Gutierrez
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Centro Interdisciplinario en Ciencias de la Salud y del Comportamiento (CIICSAC), Universidad Adventista del Plata, Entre Ríos, Argentina.,Facultad de Humanidades, Educación y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Adventista del Plata, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Krumm
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Centro Interdisciplinario en Ciencias de la Salud y del Comportamiento (CIICSAC), Universidad Adventista del Plata, Entre Ríos, Argentina.,Facultad de Humanidades, Educación y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Adventista del Plata, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - Diego Mateos
- Universidad Autónoma de entre Ríos (UADER), Entre Rios, Argentina.,Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral (IMAL-CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina
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18
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Chan MMY, Yau SSY, Han YMY. The neurobiology of prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in promoting brain plasticity: A systematic review and meta-analyses of human and rodent studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 125:392-416. [PMID: 33662444 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The neurobiological mechanisms underlying prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) remain elusive. Randomized, sham-controlled trials in humans and rodents applying in vivo prefrontal tDCS were included to explore whether prefrontal tDCS modulates resting-state and event-related functional connectivity, neural oscillation and synaptic plasticity. Fifty studies were included in the systematic review and 32 in the meta-analyses. Neuroimaging meta-analysis indicated anodal prefrontal tDCS significantly enhanced bilateral median cingulate activity [familywise error (FWE)-corrected p < .005]; meta-regression revealed a positive relationship between changes in median cingulate activity after tDCS and current density (FWE-corrected p < .005) as well as electric current strength (FWE-corrected p < .05). Meta-analyses of electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography data revealed nonsignificant changes (ps > .1) in both resting-state and event-related oscillatory power across all frequency bands. Applying anodal tDCS over the rodent hippocampus/prefrontal cortex enhanced long-term potentiation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the stimulated brain regions (ps <.005). Evidence supporting prefrontal tDCS administration is preliminary; more methodologically consistent studies evaluating its effects on cognitive function that include brain activity measurements are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody M Y Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sonata S Y Yau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yvonne M Y Han
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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19
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Wang J, Wang X, Wang X, Zhang H, Zhou Y, Chen L, Li Y, Wu L. Increased EEG coherence in long-distance and short-distance connectivity in children with autism spectrum disorders. Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01796. [PMID: 32815287 PMCID: PMC7559606 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex and prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and social interaction as well as repetitive behaviors. Alterations in function connectivity are widely recognized in recent electroencephalogram (EEG) studies. However, most studies have not reached consistent conclusions, which could be due to the developmental nature and the heterogeneity of ASD. METHODS Here, EEG coherence analysis was used in a cohort of children with ASD (n = 13) and matched typically developing controls (TD, n = 15) to examine the functional connectivity characteristics in long-distance and short-distance electrode pairs. Subsequently, we explore the association between the connectivity strength of coherence and symptom severity in children with ASD. RESULTS Compared with TD group, individuals with ASD showed increased coherence in short-distance electrode pairs in the right temporal-parietal region (delta, alpha, beta bands), left temporal-parietal region (all frequency bands), occipital region (theta, alpha, beta bands), right central-parietal region (delta, alpha, beta bands), and the prefrontal region (only beta band). In the long-distance coherence analysis, the ASD group showed increased coherence in bilateral frontal region, temporal region, parietal region, and frontal-occipital region in alpha and beta bands. The strength of such connections was associated with symptom severity. DISCUSSION Our study indicates that abnormal connectivity patterns in neuroelectrophysiology may be of critical importance to acknowledge the underlying brain mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaomin Wang
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xuelai Wang
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiying Zhang
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Heilongjiang Province Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yutong Li
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lijie Wu
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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20
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Chan MMY, Han YMY. Differential mirror neuron system (MNS) activation during action observation with and without social-emotional components in autism: a meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies. Mol Autism 2020; 11:72. [PMID: 32993782 PMCID: PMC7523366 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00374-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Impaired imitation has been found to be an important factor contributing to social communication deficits in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It has been hypothesized that the neural correlate of imitation, the mirror neuron system (MNS), is dysfunctional in ASD, resulting in imitation impairment as one of the key behavioral manifestations in ASD. Previous MNS studies produced inconsistent results, leaving the debate of whether “broken” mirror neurons in ASD are unresolved. Methods This meta-analysis aimed to explore the differences in MNS activation patterns between typically developing (TD) and ASD individuals when they observe biological motions with or without social-emotional components. Effect size signed differential mapping (ES-SDM) was adopted to synthesize the available fMRI data. Results ES-SDM analysis revealed hyperactivation in the right inferior frontal gyrus and left supplementary motor area in ASD during observation of biological motions. Subgroup analysis of experiments involving the observation of stimuli with or without emotional component revealed hyperactivation in the left inferior parietal lobule and left supplementary motor during action observation without emotional components, whereas hyperactivation of the right inferior frontal gyrus was found during action observation with emotional components in ASD. Subgroup analyses of age showed hyperactivation of the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus in ASD adolescents, while hyperactivation in the right inferior frontal gyrus was noted in ASD adults. Meta-regression within ASD individuals indicated that the right cerebellum crus I activation increased with age, while the left inferior temporal gyrus activation decreased with age. Limitations This meta-analysis is limited in its generalization of the findings to individuals with ASD by the restricted age range, heterogeneous study sample, and the large within-group variation in MNS activation patterns during object observation. Furthermore, we only included action observation studies which might limit the generalization of our results to the imitation deficits in ASD. In addition, the relatively small sample size for individual studies might also potentially overestimate the effect sizes. Conclusion The MNS is impaired in ASD. The abnormal activation patterns were found to be modulated by the nature of stimuli and age, which might explain the contradictory results from earlier studies on the “broken mirror neuron” debate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody M Y Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Yvonne M Y Han
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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21
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Significance of Beta-Band Oscillations in Autism Spectrum Disorders During Motor Response Inhibition Tasks: A MEG Study. Brain Topogr 2020; 33:355-374. [PMID: 32303950 PMCID: PMC7182638 DOI: 10.1007/s10548-020-00765-6] [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: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), impaired response inhibition and lack of adaptation are hypothesized to underlie core ASD symptoms, such as social communication and repetitive, stereotyped behavior. Thus, the aim of the present study was to compare neural correlates of inhibition, post-error adaptation, and reaction time variability in ASD and neuro-typical control (NTC) participants by investigating possible differences in error-related changes of oscillatory MEG activity. Twelve male NTC (mean age 20.3 ± 3.7) and fourteen male patients with ASD (mean age 17.8 ± 2.9) were included in the analysis. Subjects with ASD showed increased error-related reaction time variability. MEG analysis revealed decreased beta power in the ASD group in comparison to the NTC group over the centro-parietal channels in both, the pre-stimulus and post-response interval. In the ASD group, mean centro-parietal beta power negatively correlated with dimensional autism symptoms. In both groups, false alarms were followed by an early increase in temporo-frontal theta to alpha power; and by a later decrease in alpha to beta power at central and posterior sensors. Single trial correlations were additionally studied in the ASD group, who showed a positive correlation of pre-stimulus beta power with post-response theta, alpha, and beta power, particularly after hit trials. On a broader scale, the results deliver important insights into top-down control deficits that may relate to core symptoms observed in ASD.
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Biotteau M, Albaret JM, Chaix Y. Developmental coordination disorder. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2020; 174:3-20. [PMID: 32977886 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64148-9.00001-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children's ability to execute coordinated motor actions, resulting in slow, clumsy, or inaccurate motor performances and learning difficulties (of new motor tasks or to adapt previously learned gestures to a modified or additional constraint). In the course of development, children with DCD exhibit a diversity of motor signs, including fine and gross motor problems with impaired postural control and balance, and sensorimotor coordination or motor learning difficulties. The prevalence ranges between 1.8% and 8%, depending on the diagnostic criteria used, based on the cutoff of motor scores from standardized scales. Four main hypotheses have been postulated to explain DCD in terms of deficits in visuospatial functions, procedural learning, internal modeling, or executive functions. Neuroimaging studies are scarce but have highlighted several brain regions, including the parietal, frontal, and cerebellar cortices. Meta-analyses have supported task-oriented approaches as effective therapies to improve motor performance in children with DCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maëlle Biotteau
- Toulouse NeuroImaging Center, University of Toulouse, INSERM, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France; Pediatric Neurology Unit, Children's Hospital, Toulouse-Purpan University Hospital, Toulouse, France.
| | - Jean-Michel Albaret
- Psychomotricity Training Institute, University of Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Yves Chaix
- Toulouse NeuroImaging Center, University of Toulouse, INSERM, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France; Pediatric Neurology Unit, Children's Hospital, Toulouse-Purpan University Hospital, Toulouse, France
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23
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Faja S, Nelson Darling L. Variation in restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests relates to inhibitory control and shifting in children with autism spectrum disorder. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2018; 23:1262-1272. [PMID: 30394786 DOI: 10.1177/1362361318804192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Symptoms of restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests in autism are theoretically linked to executive functioning, which includes problem-solving abilities such as inhibition and cognitive flexibility. This study examined whether inhibition and flexibility are related to higher order restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (e.g. circumscribed interests and ritualistic behavior) and sensorimotor behaviors (e.g. stereotyped and repetitive movements and sensory preoccupations) among 102 school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder who had cognitive abilities in the average or above average range. The ability to inhibit interfering information and shifting ability were related to higher order restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests, and each uniquely accounted for variance. This suggests that the ability to suppress interfering information as well as the ability to flexibly shift between patterns of responding is protective against higher order restricted and repetitive behaviors and interest symptoms in autism. In addition, the ability to proactively slow one's reaction time in order to respond more carefully was related to sensorimotor restricted and repetitive behaviors. These results support the importance of distinguishing between higher order and sensorimotor symptoms due to their distinct relationships to executive functioning abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Faja
- 1 Harvard Medical School, USA.,2 Boston Children's Hospital, USA
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24
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den Bakker H, Sidorov MS, Fan Z, Lee DJ, Bird LM, Chu CJ, Philpot BD. Abnormal coherence and sleep composition in children with Angelman syndrome: a retrospective EEG study. Mol Autism 2018. [PMID: 29719672 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-018-0214-8.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability, speech and motor impairments, epilepsy, abnormal sleep, and phenotypic overlap with autism. Individuals with AS display characteristic EEG patterns including high-amplitude rhythmic delta waves. Here, we sought to quantitatively explore EEG architecture in AS beyond known spectral power phenotypes. We were motivated by studies of functional connectivity and sleep spindles in autism to study these EEG readouts in children with AS. Methods We analyzed retrospective wake and sleep EEGs from children with AS (age 4-11) and age-matched neurotypical controls. We assessed long-range and short-range functional connectivity by measuring coherence across multiple frequencies during wake and sleep. We quantified sleep spindles using automated and manual approaches. Results During wakefulness, children with AS showed enhanced long-range EEG coherence across a wide range of frequencies. During sleep, children with AS showed increased long-range EEG coherence specifically in the gamma band. EEGs from children with AS contained fewer sleep spindles, and these spindles were shorter in duration than their neurotypical counterparts. Conclusions We demonstrate two quantitative readouts of dysregulated sleep composition in children with AS-gamma coherence and spindles-and describe how functional connectivity patterns may be disrupted during wakefulness. Quantitative EEG phenotypes have potential as biomarkers and readouts of target engagement for future clinical trials and provide clues into how neural circuits are dysregulated in children with AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna den Bakker
- 1Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA.,2Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA.,3Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Michael S Sidorov
- 1Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA.,2Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA.,3Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Zheng Fan
- 4Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - David J Lee
- 5Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Lynne M Bird
- 6Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, CA USA.,7Division of Dysmorphology/Genetics, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Catherine J Chu
- 8Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA.,9Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Benjamin D Philpot
- 1Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA.,2Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA.,3Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
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25
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Rivera D, Salinas C, Ramos-Usuga D, Delgado-Mejía ID, Vasallo Key Y, Hernández Agurcia GP, Valencia Vásquez J, García-Guerrero CE, García de la Cadena C, Rabago Barajas BV, Romero-García I, Campos Varillas AI, Sánchez-SanSegundo M, Galvao-Carmona A, Lara L, Granja Gilbert EJ, Martín-Lobo P, Velázquez-Cardoso J, Caracuel A, Arango-Lasprilla JC. Concentration Endurance Test (d2): Normative data for Spanish-speaking pediatric population. NeuroRehabilitation 2018; 41:661-671. [PMID: 29036848 DOI: 10.3233/nre-172248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To generate normative data for the Concentration Endurance Test (d2) in Spanish-speaking pediatric populations. METHOD The sample consisted of 4,373 healthy children from nine countries in Latin America (Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Puerto Rico) and Spain. Each participant was administered the d2 test as part of a larger neuropsychological battery. The Total number of items processed (TN), Total number of correct responses (CR), Total performance (TP), and Concentration performance (CP) scores were normed using multiple linear regressions and standard deviations of residual values. Age, age2, sex, and mean level of parental education (MLPE) were included as predictors in the analyses. RESULTS The final multiple linear regression models showed main effects for age on all scores, such that scores increased linearly as a function of age. TN scores were affected by age2 for Guatemala and Puerto Rico; CR scores were affected by age2 for Mexico; TP scores were affected by age2 for Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Spain; and CP scores for Mexico and Spain. Models indicated that children whose parents had a MLPE >12 years obtained higher scores compared to children whose parents had a MLPE≤12 years for Mexico and Spain in all scores, and Puerto Rico for TN, CR, and TP, and Guatemala and Paraguay for CP scores. Sex affect the scores for Ecuador and Honduras (CP scores). CONCLUSIONS This is the largest Spanish-speaking pediatric normative study in the world, and it will allow neuropsychologists from these countries to have a more accurate approach to interpret the d2 test in pediatric populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Rivera
- BioCruces Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - C Salinas
- Space Coast Neuropsychology center, Melbourne, USA
| | - D Ramos-Usuga
- Research Center CERNEP, Almeria University, Almería, Spain
| | | | - Y Vasallo Key
- National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery INN, Havana, Cuba
| | - G P Hernández Agurcia
- Escuela de Ciencias Psicológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
| | | | | | - C García de la Cadena
- Departamento de Psicología, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - B V Rabago Barajas
- Departamento de Neurociencias, Universidad de Guadalajara (CUCS), Guadalajara, México
| | - I Romero-García
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de San Germán, Puerto Rico
| | | | | | - A Galvao-Carmona
- Department of Psychology, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Sevilla, Spain
| | - L Lara
- Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca, Chile
| | | | - P Martín-Lobo
- Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR), Logroño, Spain
| | - J Velázquez-Cardoso
- Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, MVS, Ciudad de México, México
| | - A Caracuel
- CIMCYC-The Mind, Brain and Behaviour Research Centre, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - J C Arango-Lasprilla
- BioCruces Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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den Bakker H, Sidorov MS, Fan Z, Lee DJ, Bird LM, Chu CJ, Philpot BD. Abnormal coherence and sleep composition in children with Angelman syndrome: a retrospective EEG study. Mol Autism 2018; 9:32. [PMID: 29719672 PMCID: PMC5924514 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-018-0214-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability, speech and motor impairments, epilepsy, abnormal sleep, and phenotypic overlap with autism. Individuals with AS display characteristic EEG patterns including high-amplitude rhythmic delta waves. Here, we sought to quantitatively explore EEG architecture in AS beyond known spectral power phenotypes. We were motivated by studies of functional connectivity and sleep spindles in autism to study these EEG readouts in children with AS. Methods We analyzed retrospective wake and sleep EEGs from children with AS (age 4–11) and age-matched neurotypical controls. We assessed long-range and short-range functional connectivity by measuring coherence across multiple frequencies during wake and sleep. We quantified sleep spindles using automated and manual approaches. Results During wakefulness, children with AS showed enhanced long-range EEG coherence across a wide range of frequencies. During sleep, children with AS showed increased long-range EEG coherence specifically in the gamma band. EEGs from children with AS contained fewer sleep spindles, and these spindles were shorter in duration than their neurotypical counterparts. Conclusions We demonstrate two quantitative readouts of dysregulated sleep composition in children with AS—gamma coherence and spindles—and describe how functional connectivity patterns may be disrupted during wakefulness. Quantitative EEG phenotypes have potential as biomarkers and readouts of target engagement for future clinical trials and provide clues into how neural circuits are dysregulated in children with AS. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13229-018-0214-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna den Bakker
- 1Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA.,2Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA.,3Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Michael S Sidorov
- 1Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA.,2Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA.,3Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Zheng Fan
- 4Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - David J Lee
- 5Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Lynne M Bird
- 6Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, CA USA.,7Division of Dysmorphology/Genetics, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Catherine J Chu
- 8Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA.,9Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Benjamin D Philpot
- 1Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA.,2Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA.,3Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
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Abstract
Asperger syndrome (AS) is a subtype of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) characterized by major problems in social and nonverbal communication, together with limited and repetitive forms of behavior and interests. The linguistic and cognitive development in AS is preserved which help us to differentiate it from other subtypes of ASD. However, significant effects of AS on cognitive abilities and brain functions still need to be researched. Although a clear cut pathology for Asperger has not been identified yet, recent studies have largely focused on brain imaging techniques to investigate AS. In this regard, we carried out a systematic review on behavioral, cognitive, and neural markers (specifically using MRI and fMRI) studies on AS. In this paper, behavior, motor skills and language capabilities of individuals with Asperger are compared to those in healthy controls. In addition, common findings across MRI and fMRI based studies associated with behavior and cognitive disabilities are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Faridi
- Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Khosrowabadi
- Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
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28
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Ahmadlou M, Adeli H. Complexity of weighted graph: A new technique to investigate structural complexity of brain activities with applications to aging and autism. Neurosci Lett 2017; 650:103-108. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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