1
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Twito R, Hadad BS, Szpiro S. Is she still angry? Intact learning but no updating of facial expressions priors in autism. Autism Res 2024; 17:934-946. [PMID: 38716802 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Autistic people exhibit atypical use of prior information when processing simple perceptual stimuli; yet, it remains unclear whether and how these difficulties in using priors extend to complex social stimuli. Here, we compared autistic people without accompanying intellectual disability and nonautistic people in their ability to acquire an "emotional prior" of a facial expression and update this prior to a different facial expression of the same identity. Participants performed a two-interval same/different discrimination task between two facial expressions. To study the acquisition of the prior, we examined how discrimination was modified by the contraction of the perceived facial expressions toward the average of presented stimuli (i.e., regression to the mean). At first, facial expressions surrounded one average emotional prior (mostly sad or angry), and then the average switched (to mostly angry or sad, accordingly). Autistic people exhibited challenges in facial discrimination, and yet acquired the first prior, demonstrating typical regression-to-the-mean effects. However, unlike nonautistic people, autistic people did not update their perception to the second prior, suggesting they are less flexible in updating an acquired prior of emotional expressions. Our findings shed light on the perception of emotional expressions, one of the most pressing challenges in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renana Twito
- Department of Special Education, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Bat-Sheva Hadad
- Department of Special Education, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Special Education and The Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sarit Szpiro
- Department of Special Education, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Special Education and The Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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2
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Day TC, Malik I, Boateng S, Hauschild KM, Lerner MD. Vocal Emotion Recognition in Autism: Behavioral Performance and Event-Related Potential (ERP) Response. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:1235-1248. [PMID: 36694007 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-05898-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Autistic youth display difficulties in emotion recognition, yet little research has examined behavioral and neural indices of vocal emotion recognition (VER). The current study examines behavioral and event-related potential (N100, P200, Late Positive Potential [LPP]) indices of VER in autistic and non-autistic youth. Participants (N = 164) completed an emotion recognition task, the Diagnostic Analyses of Nonverbal Accuracy (DANVA-2) which included VER, during EEG recording. The LPP amplitude was larger in response to high intensity VER, and social cognition predicted VER errors. Verbal IQ, not autism, was related to VER errors. An interaction between VER intensity and social communication impairments revealed these impairments were related to larger LPP amplitudes during low intensity VER. Taken together, differences in VER may be due to higher order cognitive processes, not basic, early perception (N100, P200), and verbal cognitive abilities may underlie behavioral, yet occlude neural, differences in VER processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talena C Day
- Psychology Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, Psychology B-354, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-2500, USA
| | - Isha Malik
- Psychology Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, Psychology B-354, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-2500, USA
| | - Sydney Boateng
- Psychology Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, Psychology B-354, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-2500, USA
| | | | - Matthew D Lerner
- Psychology Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, Psychology B-354, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-2500, USA.
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3
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Irish JEN. An Exploratory Study Testing Environmental Wayfinding Aids as an Intervention for Children With Autism. HERD-HEALTH ENVIRONMENTS RESEARCH & DESIGN JOURNAL 2022; 15:114-130. [PMID: 35822221 DOI: 10.1177/19375867221111467] [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: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This exploratory mixed methods experiment aimed to determine whether the application of wayfinding aids (colored doors, shapes on the floor, and signage) as an intervention could help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) find their way to a destination to promote independence. BACKGROUND Several individuals with ASD have described the difficulties they experienced finding their way in the environment. This is especially relevant to complex environments like healthcare. METHODS Participants with ASD aged 8-11 (n = 9) were randomly assigned to control or treatment groups. The test location was an empty school corridor unfamiliar to participants. Each participant was shown the way to a destination using a script pointing out existing cues (control group) or applied wayfinding aids (treatment group). Participants were taken back to the start and then asked to lead the way to the destination. Afterward, they were interviewed about their experience. Data collection included observation, behavioral mapping, and video recording. RESULTS The variable of wayfinding scripts helped all participants find their way to the destination, but those in the treatment group found their way directly compared to 75% of the control group. Wayfinding aids made the environment more memorable to those in the treatment group. Some children were distracted by environmental stimuli, and some noticed surprising elements that helped them wayfind. CONCLUSIONS Study results suggest that wayfinding instruction could be used as an intervention in environments with and without the application of wayfinding aids. This needs further testing in other environments. Issues included recruitment and random assignment.
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4
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Hadad BS, Yashar A. Sensory Perception in Autism: What Can We Learn? Annu Rev Vis Sci 2022; 8:239-264. [PMID: 35804481 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-vision-093020-035217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder of unknown etiology. Recently, there has been a growing interest in sensory processing in autism as a core phenotype. However, basic questions remain unanswered. Here, we review the major findings and models of perception in autism and point to methodological issues that have led to conflicting results. We show that popular models of perception in autism, such as the reduced prior hypothesis, cannot explain the many and varied findings. To resolve these issues, we point to the benefits of using rigorous psychophysical methods to study perception in autism. We advocate for perceptual models that provide a detailed explanation of behavior while also taking into account factors such as context, learning, and attention. Furthermore, we demonstrate the importance of tracking changes over the course of development to reveal the causal pathways and compensatory mechanisms. Finally, we propose a developmental perceptual narrowing account of the condition. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Vision Science, Volume 8 is September 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bat-Sheva Hadad
- Department of Special Education and The Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel; ,
| | - Amit Yashar
- Department of Special Education and The Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel; ,
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5
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Jacques C, Courchesne V, Mineau S, Dawson M, Mottron L. Positive, negative, neutral-or unknown? The perceived valence of emotions expressed by young autistic children in a novel context suited to autism. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022; 26:1833-1848. [PMID: 35168392 PMCID: PMC9483191 DOI: 10.1177/13623613211068221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Starting early in life, autistics are characterized as having atypical facial expressions, as well as decreased positive and increased negative affect. The literature on autistic facial expressions remains small, however, with disparate methods and results suggesting limited understanding of common autistic emotions. Furthermore, unlike non-autistics’ emotions, autistics’ emotions have been assessed without considering this population’s characteristics. In this study, the valence of young children’s facial expressions was thus rated as positive, negative, neutral, or “unknown”—a term for perceived emotions observers do not understand. Facial expressions were assessed using the Montreal Stimulating Play Situation, a context incorporating potential autistic interests. Comparing 37 autistic and 39 typical young (27–56 months) age-matched children, we found no group differences in expressed positive, negative, and neutral emotions. We did find differences in unknown emotions, which were unique to the autistic group. Preliminary data also showed that autistic children’s repetitive behaviors co-occurred with positive, neutral, and unknown emotions, but not with negative emotions. In a novel context that considers their characteristics, we did not find decreased positive or increased negative emotions in young autistic children. Instead, they uniquely expressed emotions perceived as unknown, showing the need to improve our understanding of their full emotional repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudine Jacques
- Université du Québec en Outaouais, Canada.,CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Laurent Mottron
- CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Canada.,Université de Montréal, Canada
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6
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Schelinski S, Tabas A, von Kriegstein K. Altered processing of communication signals in the subcortical auditory sensory pathway in autism. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 43:1955-1972. [PMID: 35037743 PMCID: PMC8933247 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by social communication difficulties. These difficulties have been mainly explained by cognitive, motivational, and emotional alterations in ASD. The communication difficulties could, however, also be associated with altered sensory processing of communication signals. Here, we assessed the functional integrity of auditory sensory pathway nuclei in ASD in three independent functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments. We focused on two aspects of auditory communication that are impaired in ASD: voice identity perception, and recognising speech‐in‐noise. We found reduced processing in adults with ASD as compared to typically developed control groups (pairwise matched on sex, age, and full‐scale IQ) in the central midbrain structure of the auditory pathway (inferior colliculus [IC]). The right IC responded less in the ASD as compared to the control group for voice identity, in contrast to speech recognition. The right IC also responded less in the ASD as compared to the control group when passively listening to vocal in contrast to non‐vocal sounds. Within the control group, the left and right IC responded more when recognising speech‐in‐noise as compared to when recognising speech without additional noise. In the ASD group, this was only the case in the left, but not the right IC. The results show that communication signal processing in ASD is associated with reduced subcortical sensory functioning in the midbrain. The results highlight the importance of considering sensory processing alterations in explaining communication difficulties, which are at the core of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Schelinski
- Faculty of Psychology, Chair of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alejandro Tabas
- Faculty of Psychology, Chair of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katharina von Kriegstein
- Faculty of Psychology, Chair of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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7
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Singh A, Seo H. Atypical sensory functions and eating behaviors among adults on the autism spectrum: One‐on‐one interviews. J SENS STUD 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/joss.12724] [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)
- Asmita Singh
- Department of Food Science University of Arkansas Fayetteville Arkansas USA
| | - Han‐Seok Seo
- Department of Food Science University of Arkansas Fayetteville Arkansas USA
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8
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Tarasi L, Trajkovic J, Diciotti S, di Pellegrino G, Ferri F, Ursino M, Romei V. Predictive waves in the autism-schizophrenia continuum: A novel biobehavioral model. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:1-22. [PMID: 34774901 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The brain is a predictive machine. Converging data suggests a diametric predictive strategy from autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to schizophrenic spectrum disorders (SSD). Whereas perceptual inference in ASD is rigidly shaped by incoming sensory information, the SSD population is prone to overestimate the precision of their priors' models. Growing evidence considers brain oscillations pivotal biomarkers to understand how top-down predictions integrate bottom-up input. Starting from the conceptualization of ASD and SSD as oscillopathies, we introduce an integrated perspective that ascribes the maladjustments of the predictive mechanism to dysregulation of neural synchronization. According to this proposal, disturbances in the oscillatory profile do not allow the appropriate trade-off between descending predictive signal, overweighted in SSD, and ascending prediction errors, overweighted in ASD. These opposing imbalances both result in an ill-adapted reaction to external challenges. This approach offers a neuro-computational model capable of linking predictive coding theories with electrophysiological findings, aiming to increase knowledge on the neuronal foundations of the two spectra features and stimulate hypothesis-driven rehabilitation/research perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Tarasi
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy.
| | - Jelena Trajkovic
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Stefano Diciotti
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi", University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy; Alma Mater Research Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe di Pellegrino
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Francesca Ferri
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Mauro Ursino
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi", University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Romei
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy.
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9
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Nadeem MS, Murtaza BN, Al-Ghamdi MA, Ali A, Zamzami MA, Khan JA, Ahmad A, Rehman MU, Kazmi I. Autism - A Comprehensive Array of Prominent Signs and Symptoms. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1418-1433. [PMID: 33494665 DOI: 10.2174/1381612827666210120095829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a multifaceted neurodevelopmental condition characterized by multiple psychological and physiological impairments in young children. According to the recent reports, 1 out of every 58 newly-born children is suffering from autism. The aetiology of the disorder is complex and poorly understood, hindering the adaptation of targeted and effective therapies. There are no well- established diagnostic biomarkers for autism. Hence the analysis of symptoms by the pediatricians plays a critical role in the early intervention. METHODS In the present report, we have emphasized 24 behavioral, psychological and clinical symptoms of autism. RESULTS Impaired social interaction, restrictive and narrow interests, anxiety, depression; aggressive, repetitive, rigid and self-injurious behavior, lack of consistency, short attention span, fear, shyness and phobias, hypersensitivity and rapid mood alterations, high level of food and toy selectivity; inability to establish friendships or follow the instructions; fascination by round spinning objects and eating non-food materials are common psychological characteristics of autism. Speech or hearing impairments, poor cognitive function, gastrointestinal problems, weak immunity, disturbed sleep and circadian rhythms, weak motor neuromuscular interaction, lower level of serotonin and neurotransmitters, headache and body pain are common physiological symptoms. CONCLUSION A variable qualitative and quantitative impact of this wide range of symptoms is perceived in each autistic individual, making him/her distinct, incomparable and exceptional. Selection and application of highly personalized medical and psychological therapies are therefore recommended for the management and treatment of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shahid Nadeem
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bibi Nazia Murtaza
- Department of Zoology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Maryam A Al-Ghamdi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Akbar Ali
- College of Pharmacy, Northern Border University Rafha 1321, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mazin A Zamzami
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jalaluddin A Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aftab Ahmad
- College of Pharmacy, Northern Border University Rafha 1321, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mujaddad Ur Rehman
- Department of Zoology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Imran Kazmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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10
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Underlying Thinking Pattern Profiles Predict Parent-Reported Distress Responses in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:2112-2131. [PMID: 34052971 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05092-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Appreciating autistic neurodiversity is important when supporting autistic people who experience distress. Specifically, use of a profiling model can reveal less visible autistic differences, including strengths and abilities. Binary logistic regressions showed that the likelihood of extreme distress responses could be interpreted based on parent-reported autistic thinking pattern profiles for 140 young people. Perspective-taking (specifically empathy), extreme demand avoidance, and over-sensory sensitivity each contributed to the combined regression models. From the clinical perspective of autism as a multi-dimensional and inter-connected construct, there may be implications for planning support and building positive self-understanding. Individually tailored adjustments and support strategies may be identified more easily after delineating variables found across four core aspects: sensory coherence, flexible thinking, perspective-taking, and regulation.
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11
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Bervoets J, Hens K. Going Beyond the Catch-22 of Autism Diagnosis and Research. The Moral Implications of (Not) Asking "What Is Autism?". Front Psychol 2020; 11:529193. [PMID: 33240143 PMCID: PMC7683513 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.529193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are primarily attributed on the basis of behavioral criteria. The aim of most of the biomedical research on ASD is to uncover the underlying mechanisms that lead to or even cause pathological behavior. However, in the philosophical and sociological literature, it has been suggested that autism is also to some extent a 'social construct' that cannot merely be reduced to its biological explanation. We show that a one-sided adherence to either a biological or a social explanation leads to a moral dilemma, a Catch-22, for autistics and for those living with them. Such explanations close the space for self-identifying as autistic and at the same time being considered to be in good mental health. They foreclose the possibility of making sense of the lived experience of (and with) autistics. In this paper we argue that such lack of space for moral imagination inherently leads to scientific stalemate. We propose that one can only go beyond this stalemate by taking an ethical stance in theorizing, one that enables better intersubjective understanding. Only on such a view can behavior and biology be linked without either disconnecting them or reducing the one to the other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo Bervoets
- NeuroEpigenEthics, Department of Philosophy, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Brain and Cognition Unit, Department of Psychology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Autism Research Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kristien Hens
- NeuroEpigenEthics, Department of Philosophy, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Leuven Autism Research Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science, Higher Institute of Philosophy, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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12
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van Leeuwen TM, Neufeld J, Hughes J, Ward J. Synaesthesia and autism: Different developmental outcomes from overlapping mechanisms? Cogn Neuropsychol 2020; 37:433-449. [PMID: 32845799 DOI: 10.1080/02643294.2020.1808455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Synaesthesia, a mixing of the senses, is more common in individuals with autism. Here, we review the evidence for the association between synaesthesia and autism with regard to their genetic background, brain connectivity, perception, cognitive mechanisms and their contribution to exceptional talents. Currently, the overlap between synaesthesia and autism is established most convincingly at the level of alterations in sensory sensitivity and perception, with synaesthetes showing autism-like profiles of sensory sensitivity and a bias towards details in perception. Shared features may include a predominance of local over global connectivity in the brain. When autism and synaesthesia co-occur in the same individual, the chance of developing heightened cognitive and memory abilities is increased. We discuss how the same theoretical models could potentially explain both conditions. Given the evidence, we believe the phenotypical overlap between autism and synaesthesia has been established clearly enough to invite future research to confirm overlapping mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa M van Leeuwen
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Janina Neufeld
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - James Hughes
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Jamie Ward
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
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13
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Taylor E, Holt R, Tavassoli T, Ashwin C, Baron-Cohen S. Revised scored Sensory Perception Quotient reveals sensory hypersensitivity in women with autism. Mol Autism 2020; 11:18. [PMID: 32122389 PMCID: PMC7053068 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-019-0289-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research using the Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ) has reported greater sensory hypersensitivity in people with autism spectrum condition (ASC) compared to controls, consistent with other research. However, current scoring of the SPQ does not differentiate between hyper and hyposensitivity, making it uncertain whether individuals with ASC might also show differences in hyposensitivity. Furthermore, no research to date has focused on sensory differences in females, and whether differences in sensory sensitivity extend to the broader autism phenotype (BAP). The present study aimed to fill these gaps. METHODS The present study developed and validated a Revised Scoring of the Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ-RS) in order to investigate self-reported hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity in three groups of adults: a female ASC group (n = 152), mothers of children with ASC (BAP mothers group; n = 103), and a control mothers group (n = 74). All participants completed the SPQ as a self-report measure of sensory processing and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) as a measure of the degree of autism traits. RESULTS The female ASC group reported significantly more hypersensitivity, but not more hyposensitivity, compared to the control female and BAP mothers groups. The BAP mothers group did not differ from the control mothers group in either reported hypersensitivity (p = .365) or hyposensitivity (p = .075), suggesting atypical sensory sensitivity is not a BAP trait within females. SPQ-RS hypersensitivity scores positively correlated with autistic traits in the female ASC (r = .266) and BAP mothers groups (r = .350). CONCLUSIONS The present findings revealed greater sensory hypersensitivity, but not hyposensitivity, in females with ASC compared to BAP and control female groups, and that a greater degree of autism traits relates to higher hypersensitivity in ASC females. The results offer support for the enhanced perceptual functioning model using large samples of females, who are an understudied population, and demonstrate the validity of the SPQ-RS as a valuable new research tool for exploring self-reported hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Taylor
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Rd, Cambridge, CB2 8AH UK
- Centre for Applied Autism Research, Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY UK
| | - Rosemary Holt
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Rd, Cambridge, CB2 8AH UK
| | - Teresa Tavassoli
- School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Harry Pitt Building, Earley Gate, Reading, RG6 7BE UK
| | - Chris Ashwin
- Centre for Applied Autism Research, Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY UK
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Rd, Cambridge, CB2 8AH UK
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, CLASS Clinic, Cambridge, CB21 5EF UK
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14
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van Leeuwen TM, van Petersen E, Burghoorn F, Dingemanse M, van Lier R. Autistic traits in synaesthesia: atypical sensory sensitivity and enhanced perception of details. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20190024. [PMID: 31630653 PMCID: PMC6834020 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In synaesthetes, specific sensory stimuli (e.g. black letters) elicit additional experiences (e.g. colour). Synaesthesia is highly prevalent among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the mechanisms of this co-occurrence are not clear. We hypothesized autism and synaesthesia share atypical sensory sensitivity and perception. We assessed autistic traits, sensory sensitivity and visual perception in two synaesthete populations. In Study 1, synaesthetes (N = 79, of different types) scored higher than non-synaesthetes (N = 76) on the Attention-to-detail and Social skills subscales of the autism spectrum quotient indexing autistic traits, and on the Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire indexing sensory hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity which frequently occur in autism. Synaesthetes performed two local/global visual tasks because individuals with autism typically show a bias towards detail processing. In synaesthetes, elevated motion coherence thresholds (MCTs) suggested reduced global motion perception, and higher accuracy on an embedded figures task suggested enhanced local perception. In Study 2, sequence-space synaesthetes (N = 18) completed the same tasks. Questionnaire and embedded figures results qualitatively resembled Study 1 results, but no significant group differences with non-synaesthetes (N = 20) were obtained. Unexpectedly, sequence-space synaesthetes had reduced MCTs. Altogether, our studies suggest atypical sensory sensitivity and a bias towards detail processing are shared features of synaesthesia and ASD. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Bridging senses: novel insights from synaesthesia'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa M. van Leeuwen
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Eline van Petersen
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Floor Burghoorn
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Dingemanse
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rob van Lier
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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15
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Niedźwiecka A, Domasiewicz Z, Kawa R, Tomalski P, Pisula E. Sensory processing in toddlers with autism spectrum disorders. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/17405629.2019.1676715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Niedźwiecka
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Rafał Kawa
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Przemysław Tomalski
- Developmental Psychology Unit, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Pisula
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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16
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Utzerath C, Schmits IC, Kok P, Buitelaar J, de Lange FP. No evidence for altered up- and downregulation of brain activity in visual cortex during illusory shape perception in autism. Cortex 2019; 117:247-256. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2019.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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17
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Remington A, Hanley M, O'Brien S, Riby DM, Swettenham J. Implications of capacity in the classroom: Simplifying tasks for autistic children may not be the answer. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2019; 85:197-204. [PMID: 30579260 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research has demonstrated evidence for increased perceptual capacity in autism: autistic people can process more information at any given time than neurotypical individuals. The implications of this for educating autistic pupils have not been investigated. For example, this ability to process more information at any given time may explain why autistic children sometimes process more peripheral task-irrelevant information than neurotypical individuals (e.g. in background classroom wall-displays). AIMS The current study assessed the impact of different types of background information on autistic and non-autistic children's ability to perform a learning task. METHODS AND PROCEDURES Autistic (N = 23) and non-autistic (N = 50) children took part in a computer-based task designed to simulate a lesson. They watched three videos of a teacher telling a story, each with a different background condition: blank, relevant images, or irrelevant images. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS When the visual display contained story-relevant information, both groups recalled background information in addition to the central story. When the background displays were irrelevant to the story, autistic children recalled more background information than their neurotypical peers, yet maintained their ability to recall information from the central story. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS The current study suggests that pupils' perceptual capacity- including those on the autistic spectrum - can indeed be capitalised on to support learning in the classroom. To do so, however, we must ensure that the child can use their capacity for task-relevant processing, rather than irrelevant distractions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Remington
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, United Kingdom.
| | - Mary Hanley
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, United Kingdom
| | - Susanna O'Brien
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah M Riby
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, United Kingdom
| | - John Swettenham
- Department of Language and Cognition, University College London, United Kingdom
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18
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Schelinski S, von Kriegstein K. The Relation Between Vocal Pitch and Vocal Emotion Recognition Abilities in People with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typical Development. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:68-82. [PMID: 30022285 PMCID: PMC6331502 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3681-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
We tested the relation between vocal emotion and vocal pitch perception abilities in adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and pairwise matched adults with typical development. The ASD group had impaired vocal but typical non-vocal pitch and vocal timbre perception abilities. The ASD group showed less accurate vocal emotion perception than the comparison group and vocal emotion perception abilities were correlated with traits and symptoms associated with ASD. Vocal pitch and vocal emotion perception abilities were significantly correlated in the comparison group only. Our results suggest that vocal emotion recognition difficulties in ASD might not only be based on difficulties with complex social tasks, but also on difficulties with processing of basic sensory features, such as vocal pitch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Schelinski
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stephanstraße 1a, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, Faculty of Psychology, Bamberger Straße 7, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Katharina von Kriegstein
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stephanstraße 1a, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, Faculty of Psychology, Bamberger Straße 7, 01187 Dresden, Germany
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19
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Adolescents with autism show typical fMRI repetition suppression, but atypical surprise response. Cortex 2018; 109:25-34. [PMID: 30286304 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2018.08.019] [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: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent theoretical frameworks have hypothesized that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be marked by an altered balance between sensory inputs and prior knowledge-the so-called hypoprior hypothesis. Yet evidence regarding such an altered balance is mixed. Here, we aimed to test this hypothesis within the domain of visual perception, by examining how neural activity in the visual system was modulated by stimulus repetition and stimulus expectation in healthy and ASD participants. We presented 22 adolescents with ASD and 22 typically developing (TD) adolescents with pairs of object stimuli, while measuring brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Stimulus pairs could be stimulus repetitions or not and could be expected or not. We examined neural activity in early (V1) and object-selective (LOC) visual cortex. Both ASD and TD individuals showed robust and equal repetition suppression in LOC. By contrast, ASD and TD groups showed a different response to expected versus unexpected stimuli, specifically in V1. Thereby, our results suggest that while the more automatic modulation of activity by repetition is unaffected in ASD, there is some evidence that the balance between sensory evidence and prior knowledge may indeed be altered in early visual cortex of ASD.
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20
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Abstract
It has been suggested that attenuated adaptation to visual stimuli in autism is the result of atypical perceptual priors (e.g., Pellicano and Burr in Trends Cogn Sci 16(10):504-510, 2012. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2012.08.009 ). This study investigated adaptation to color in autistic adults, measuring both strength of afterimage and the influence of top-down knowledge. We found no difference in color afterimage strength between autistic and typical adults. Effects of top-down knowledge on afterimage intensity shown by Lupyan (Acta Psychol 161:117-130, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2015.08.006 ) were not replicated for either group. This study finds intact color adaptation in autistic adults. This is in contrast to findings of attenuated adaptation to faces and numerosity in autistic children. Future research should investigate the possibility of developmental differences in adaptation and further examine top-down effects on adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Maule
- The Sussex Colour Group, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Pevensey II 5B7, Brighton, BN1 9QH UK
| | - Kirstie Stanworth
- The Sussex Colour Group, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Pevensey II 5B7, Brighton, BN1 9QH UK
| | - Elizabeth Pellicano
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Franklin
- The Sussex Colour Group, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Pevensey II 5B7, Brighton, BN1 9QH UK
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21
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Taylor MJ, Gustafsson P, Larsson H, Gillberg C, Lundström S, Lichstenstein P. Examining the Association Between Autistic Traits and Atypical Sensory Reactivity: A Twin Study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2018; 57:96-102. [PMID: 29413155 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2017.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Atypical responses to sensory stimuli are common features of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Consequently, atypical sensory reactivity (SR) is now a diagnostic feature of ASD. Quantitative genetic research on ASD has overlooked these symptoms, however. We therefore investigated the association between autistic traits and SR using twin methods. METHOD Autistic traits and SR were assessed by 2 separate scales in 12,419 Swedish twin pairs (n = 3,586 monozygotic [MZ], n = 8,833 dizygotic [DZ]) when the twins were 9 or 12 years of age. The classic twin design estimated the degree to which etiological factors associated with autistic traits were also associated with SR, and the degree to which such shared factors explained the covariance between these phenotypes. DeFries-Fulker analysis estimated the genetic correlation between screening diagnoses of ASD, defined broadly and strictly, and SR. RESULTS Autistic traits and SR were both highly heritable (62%-75% and 66%-71%, respectively). There was a moderate phenotypic correlation between autistic traits and SR (r = 0.47). Genetic influences on these phenotypes correlated moderately (genetic correlation = 0.60). These overlapping genetic factors explained most of the correlation between autistic traits and SR. Genetic correlations with SR increased for broad ASD (genetic correlation = 0.72) and strict ASD (genetic correlation = 0.80). CONCLUSION The genetic overlap observed between autistic traits and SR lends quantitative genetic support to the notion that ASD and SR are strongly linked. Such symptoms may thus comprise part of the ASD genotype, as well as phenotype. Associations persisted across all definitions of ASD, indicating a genetic link between the broader ASD phenotype and SR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Henrik Larsson
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | | | - Sebastian Lundström
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Sweden Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
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22
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Cardon GJ, Hepburn S, Rojas DC. Structural Covariance of Sensory Networks, the Cerebellum, and Amygdala in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Neurol 2017; 8:615. [PMID: 29230189 PMCID: PMC5712069 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory dysfunction is a core symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and abnormalities with sensory responsivity and processing can be extremely debilitating to ASD patients and their families. However, relatively little is known about the underlying neuroanatomical and neurophysiological factors that lead to sensory abnormalities in ASD. Investigation into these aspects of ASD could lead to significant advancements in our general knowledge about ASD, as well as provide targets for treatment and inform diagnostic procedures. Thus, the current study aimed to measure the covariation of volumes of brain structures (i.e., structural magnetic resonance imaging) that may be involved in abnormal sensory processing, in order to infer connectivity of these brain regions. Specifically, we quantified the structural covariation of sensory-related cerebral cortical structures, in addition to the cerebellum and amygdala by computing partial correlations between the structural volumes of these structures. These analyses were performed in participants with ASD (n = 36), as well as typically developing peers (n = 32). Results showed decreased structural covariation between sensory-related cortical structures, especially between the left and right cerebral hemispheres, in participants with ASD. In contrast, these same participants presented with increased structural covariation of structures in the right cerebral hemisphere. Additionally, sensory-related cerebral structures exhibited decreased structural covariation with functionally identified cerebellar networks. Also, the left amygdala showed significantly increased structural covariation with cerebral structures related to visual processing. Taken together, these results may suggest several patterns of altered connectivity both within and between cerebral cortices and other brain structures that may be related to sensory processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett J Cardon
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Susan Hepburn
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Donald C Rojas
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
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23
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Maule J, Stanworth K, Pellicano E, Franklin A. Ensemble perception of color in autistic adults. Autism Res 2017; 10:839-851. [PMID: 27874263 PMCID: PMC5484362 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Dominant accounts of visual processing in autism posit that autistic individuals have an enhanced access to details of scenes [e.g., weak central coherence] which is reflected in a general bias toward local processing. Furthermore, the attenuated priors account of autism predicts that the updating and use of summary representations is reduced in autism. Ensemble perception describes the extraction of global summary statistics of a visual feature from a heterogeneous set (e.g., of faces, sizes, colors), often in the absence of local item representation. The present study investigated ensemble perception in autistic adults using a rapidly presented (500 msec) ensemble of four, eight, or sixteen elements representing four different colors. We predicted that autistic individuals would be less accurate when averaging the ensembles, but more accurate in recognizing individual ensemble colors. The results were consistent with the predictions. Averaging was impaired in autism, but only when ensembles contained four elements. Ensembles of eight or sixteen elements were averaged equally accurately across groups. The autistic group also showed a corresponding advantage in rejecting colors that were not originally seen in the ensemble. The results demonstrate the local processing bias in autism, but also suggest that the global perceptual averaging mechanism may be compromised under some conditions. The theoretical implications of the findings and future avenues for research on summary statistics in autism are discussed. Autism Res 2017, 10: 839-851. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Maule
- Sussex Colour Group, School of Psychology, Pevensey 1, North‐South RoadUniversity of SussexBrightonBN1 9QHUK
| | - Kirstie Stanworth
- Sussex Colour Group, School of Psychology, Pevensey 1, North‐South RoadUniversity of SussexBrightonBN1 9QHUK
| | - Elizabeth Pellicano
- UCL Institute of EducationUniversity College London55‐59 Gordon SquareWC1H 0NULondon
| | - Anna Franklin
- Sussex Colour Group, School of Psychology, Pevensey 1, North‐South RoadUniversity of SussexBrightonBN1 9QHUK
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24
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Poole D, Poliakoff E, Gowen E, Couth S, Champion R, Warren P. Similarities in Autistic and Neurotypical Visual–Haptic Perception When Making Judgements About Conflicting Sensory Stimuli. Multisens Res 2017; 30:509-536. [DOI: 10.1163/22134808-00002551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A number of studies have shown that multisensory performance is well predicted by a statistically optimal maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) model. Under this model unisensory estimates are combined additively and weighted according to relative reliability. Recent theories have proposed that atypical sensation and perception commonly reported in autism spectrum condition (ASC) may result from differences in the use of reliability information. Furthermore, experimental studies have indicated that multisensory processing is less effective in those with the condition in comparison to neurotypical (NT) controls. In the present study, adults with ASC () and a matched NT group () completed a visual–haptic size judgement task (cf. Gori et al., 2008) in which participants compared the height of wooden blocks using either vision or haptics, and in a dual modality condition in which visual–haptic stimuli were presented in size conflict. Participants with ASC tended to produce more reliable estimates than the NT group. However, dual modality performance was not well predicted by the MLE model for either group. Performance was subsequently compared to alternative models in which the participant either switched between modalities trial to trial (rather than integrating) and a model of non-optimal integration. Performance of both groups was statistically comparable to the cue-switching model. These findings suggest that adults with ASC adopted a similar strategy to NTs when processing conflicting visual–haptic information. Findings are discussed in relation to multisensory perception in ASC and methodological considerations associated with multisensory conflict paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Poole
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M139PL, UK
| | - Ellen Poliakoff
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M139PL, UK
| | - Emma Gowen
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M139PL, UK
| | - Samuel Couth
- Division of Human Communication, Development and Hearing, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Rebecca A. Champion
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M139PL, UK
| | - Paul A. Warren
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M139PL, UK
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25
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Karaminis T, Cicchini GM, Neil L, Cappagli G, Aagten-Murphy D, Burr D, Pellicano E. Central tendency effects in time interval reproduction in autism. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28570. [PMID: 27349722 PMCID: PMC4923867 DOI: 10.1038/srep28570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Central tendency, the tendency of judgements of quantities (lengths, durations etc.) to gravitate towards their mean, is one of the most robust perceptual effects. A Bayesian account has recently suggested that central tendency reflects the integration of noisy sensory estimates with prior knowledge representations of a mean stimulus, serving to improve performance. The process is flexible, so prior knowledge is weighted more heavily when sensory estimates are imprecise, requiring more integration to reduce noise. In this study we measure central tendency in autism to evaluate a recent theoretical hypothesis suggesting that autistic perception relies less on prior knowledge representations than typical perception. If true, autistic children should show reduced central tendency than theoretically predicted from their temporal resolution. We tested autistic and age- and ability-matched typical children in two child-friendly tasks: (1) a time interval reproduction task, measuring central tendency in the temporal domain; and (2) a time discrimination task, assessing temporal resolution. Central tendency reduced with age in typical development, while temporal resolution improved. Autistic children performed far worse in temporal discrimination than the matched controls. Computational simulations suggested that central tendency was much less in autistic children than predicted by theoretical modelling, given their poor temporal resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Themelis Karaminis
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London, WC1H 0NU, UK.,School of Psychology, Plymouth University, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | | | - Louise Neil
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London, WC1H 0NU, UK
| | - Giulia Cappagli
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London, WC1H 0NU, UK.,Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - David Aagten-Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Münich, 80802, Germany
| | - David Burr
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, 56124, Italy.,School of Psychology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Pellicano
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London, WC1H 0NU, UK.,School of Psychology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
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26
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Abstract
It has been suggested that the sensory symptoms which affect many people with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) may be related to alterations in multisensory processing. Typically, the likelihood of interactions between the senses increases when information is temporally and spatially coincident. We explored visual-tactile interactions in adults with ASC for the first time in two experiments using low-level stimuli. Both participants with ASC and matched neurotypical controls only produced crossmodal interactions to near simultaneous stimuli, suggesting that temporal modulation is unaffected in the adult population. We also provide preliminary evidence that visual-tactile interactions may occur over greater spatial distances in participants with ASC, which merits further exploration.
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27
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Bedford R, Pellicano E, Mareschal D, Nardini M. Flexible integration of visual cues in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2016; 9:272-81. [PMID: 26097109 PMCID: PMC4864758 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Although children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show atypical sensory processing, evidence for impaired integration of multisensory information has been mixed. In this study, we took a Bayesian model-based approach to assess within-modality integration of congruent and incongruent texture and disparity cues to judge slant in typical and autistic adolescents. Human adults optimally combine multiple sources of sensory information to reduce perceptual variance but in typical development this ability to integrate cues does not develop until late childhood. While adults cannot help but integrate cues, even when they are incongruent, young children's ability to keep cues separate gives them an advantage in discriminating incongruent stimuli. Given that mature cue integration emerges in later childhood, we hypothesized that typical adolescents would show adult-like integration, combining both congruent and incongruent cues. For the ASD group there were three possible predictions (1) "no fusion": no integration of congruent or incongruent cues, like 6-year-old typical children; (2) "mandatory fusion": integration of congruent and incongruent cues, like typical adults; (3) "selective fusion": cues are combined when congruent but not incongruent, consistent with predictions of Enhanced Perceptual Functioning (EPF) theory. As hypothesized, typical adolescents showed significant integration of both congruent and incongruent cues. The ASD group showed results consistent with "selective fusion," integrating congruent but not incongruent cues. This allowed adolescents with ASD to make perceptual judgments which typical adolescents could not. In line with EPF, results suggest that perception in ASD may be more flexible and less governed by mandatory top-down feedback.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Bedford
- Biostatistics DepartmentInstitute of Psychiatry, King's College LondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Pellicano
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE)Institute of Education, University of LondonUnited Kingdom
- School of PsychologyUniversity of Western AustraliaPerthAustralia
| | - Denis Mareschal
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive DevelopmentBirkbeck University of LondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Marko Nardini
- Department of PsychologyDurham UniversityDurhamUnited Kingdom
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28
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Hellendoorn A, Wijnroks L, Leseman PPM. Unraveling the nature of autism: finding order amid change. Front Psychol 2015; 6:359. [PMID: 25870581 PMCID: PMC4378365 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In this article, we hypothesize that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are born with a deficit in invariance detection, which is a learning process whereby people and animals come to attend the relatively stable patterns or structural regularities in the changing stimulus array. This paper synthesizes a substantial body of research which suggests that a deficit in the domain-general perceptual learning process of invariant detection in ASD can lead to a cascade of consequences in different developmental domains. We will outline how this deficit in invariant detection can cause uncertainty, unpredictability, and a lack of control for individuals with ASD and how varying degrees of impairments in this learning process can account for the heterogeneity of the ASD phenotype. We also describe how differences in neural plasticity in ASD underlie the impairments in perceptual learning. The present account offers an alternative to prior theories and contributes to the challenge of understanding the developmental trajectories that result in the variety of autistic behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Hellendoorn
- Department of Special Education, Centre for Cognitive and Motor Disabilities, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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29
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Karaminis T, Turi M, Neil L, Badcock NA, Burr D, Pellicano E. Atypicalities in perceptual adaptation in autism do not extend to perceptual causality. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120439. [PMID: 25774507 PMCID: PMC4361650 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent study showed that adaptation to causal events (collisions) in adults caused subsequent events to be less likely perceived as causal. In this study, we examined if a similar negative adaptation effect for perceptual causality occurs in children, both typically developing and with autism. Previous studies have reported diminished adaptation for face identity, facial configuration and gaze direction in children with autism. To test whether diminished adaptive coding extends beyond high-level social stimuli (such as faces) and could be a general property of autistic perception, we developed a child-friendly paradigm for adaptation of perceptual causality. We compared the performance of 22 children with autism with 22 typically developing children, individually matched on age and ability (IQ scores). We found significant and equally robust adaptation aftereffects for perceptual causality in both groups. There were also no differences between the two groups in their attention, as revealed by reaction times and accuracy in a change-detection task. These findings suggest that adaptation to perceptual causality in autism is largely similar to typical development and, further, that diminished adaptive coding might not be a general characteristic of autism at low levels of the perceptual hierarchy, constraining existing theories of adaptation in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Themelis Karaminis
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), Institute of Education, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Marco Turi
- Department of Psychology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Louise Neil
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), Institute of Education, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas A. Badcock
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Cognition and Its Disorders, Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - David Burr
- Department of Psychology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- School of Psychology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Pellicano
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), Institute of Education, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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