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Lau JCY, Guilfoyle J, Crawford S, Johnson G, Landau E, Xing J, Kumareswaran M, Ethridge S, Butler M, Goldman L, Martin GE, Zhou L, Krizman J, Nicol T, Kraus N, Berry-Kravis E, Losh M. Prosodic Differences in Women with the FMR1 Premutation: Subtle Expression of Autism-Related Phenotypes Through Speech. Int J Mol Sci 2025; 26:2481. [PMID: 40141125 PMCID: PMC11942500 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26062481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2025] [Revised: 03/01/2025] [Accepted: 03/10/2025] [Indexed: 03/28/2025] Open
Abstract
Evidence suggests that carriers of FMR1 mutations (e.g., fragile X syndrome and the FMR1 premutation) may demonstrate specific phenotypic patterns shared with autism (AU), particularly in the domain of pragmatic language, which involves the use of language in social contexts. Such evidence may implicate FMR1, a high-confidence gene associated with AU, in components of the AU phenotype. Prosody (i.e., using intonation and rhythm in speech to express meaning) is a pragmatic feature widely impacted in AU. Prosodic differences have also been observed in unaffected relatives of autistic individuals and in those with fragile X syndrome, although prosody has not been extensively studied among FMR1 premutation carriers. This study investigated how FMR1 variability may specifically influence prosody by examining the prosodic characteristics and related neural processing of prosodic features in women carrying the FMR1 premutation (PM). In Study 1, acoustic measures of prosody (i.e., in intonation and rhythm) were examined in speech samples elicited from a semi-structured narrative task. Study 2 examined the neural frequency following response (FFR) as an index of speech prosodic processing. Findings revealed differences in the production of intonation and rhythm in PM carriers relative to controls, with patterns that parallel differences identified in parents of autistic individuals. No differences in neural processing of prosodic cues were found. Post hoc analyses further revealed associations between speech rhythm and FMR1 variation (number of CGG repeats) among PM carriers. Together, the results suggest that FMR1 may play a role in speech prosodic phenotypes, at least in speech production, contributing to a deeper understanding of AU-related speech and language phenotypes among FMR1 mutation carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C. Y. Lau
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (J.C.Y.L.); (J.G.); (S.C.); (G.J.); (E.L.); (J.X.); (M.K.); (S.E.); (M.B.); (L.G.); (J.K.); (T.N.); (N.K.)
| | - Janna Guilfoyle
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (J.C.Y.L.); (J.G.); (S.C.); (G.J.); (E.L.); (J.X.); (M.K.); (S.E.); (M.B.); (L.G.); (J.K.); (T.N.); (N.K.)
| | - Stephanie Crawford
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (J.C.Y.L.); (J.G.); (S.C.); (G.J.); (E.L.); (J.X.); (M.K.); (S.E.); (M.B.); (L.G.); (J.K.); (T.N.); (N.K.)
| | - Grace Johnson
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (J.C.Y.L.); (J.G.); (S.C.); (G.J.); (E.L.); (J.X.); (M.K.); (S.E.); (M.B.); (L.G.); (J.K.); (T.N.); (N.K.)
| | - Emily Landau
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (J.C.Y.L.); (J.G.); (S.C.); (G.J.); (E.L.); (J.X.); (M.K.); (S.E.); (M.B.); (L.G.); (J.K.); (T.N.); (N.K.)
| | - Jiayin Xing
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (J.C.Y.L.); (J.G.); (S.C.); (G.J.); (E.L.); (J.X.); (M.K.); (S.E.); (M.B.); (L.G.); (J.K.); (T.N.); (N.K.)
| | - Mitra Kumareswaran
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (J.C.Y.L.); (J.G.); (S.C.); (G.J.); (E.L.); (J.X.); (M.K.); (S.E.); (M.B.); (L.G.); (J.K.); (T.N.); (N.K.)
| | - Sarah Ethridge
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (J.C.Y.L.); (J.G.); (S.C.); (G.J.); (E.L.); (J.X.); (M.K.); (S.E.); (M.B.); (L.G.); (J.K.); (T.N.); (N.K.)
| | - Maureen Butler
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (J.C.Y.L.); (J.G.); (S.C.); (G.J.); (E.L.); (J.X.); (M.K.); (S.E.); (M.B.); (L.G.); (J.K.); (T.N.); (N.K.)
| | - Lindsay Goldman
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (J.C.Y.L.); (J.G.); (S.C.); (G.J.); (E.L.); (J.X.); (M.K.); (S.E.); (M.B.); (L.G.); (J.K.); (T.N.); (N.K.)
| | - Gary E. Martin
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, St. John’s University, Queens, NY 11439, USA;
| | - Lili Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (L.Z.); (E.B.-K.)
| | - Jennifer Krizman
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (J.C.Y.L.); (J.G.); (S.C.); (G.J.); (E.L.); (J.X.); (M.K.); (S.E.); (M.B.); (L.G.); (J.K.); (T.N.); (N.K.)
| | - Trent Nicol
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (J.C.Y.L.); (J.G.); (S.C.); (G.J.); (E.L.); (J.X.); (M.K.); (S.E.); (M.B.); (L.G.); (J.K.); (T.N.); (N.K.)
| | - Nina Kraus
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (J.C.Y.L.); (J.G.); (S.C.); (G.J.); (E.L.); (J.X.); (M.K.); (S.E.); (M.B.); (L.G.); (J.K.); (T.N.); (N.K.)
| | - Elizabeth Berry-Kravis
- Department of Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (L.Z.); (E.B.-K.)
| | - Molly Losh
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (J.C.Y.L.); (J.G.); (S.C.); (G.J.); (E.L.); (J.X.); (M.K.); (S.E.); (M.B.); (L.G.); (J.K.); (T.N.); (N.K.)
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Isenstein EL, Freedman EG, Molholm S, Foxe JJ. Somatosensory temporal sensitivity in adults on the autism spectrum: A high-density electrophysiological mapping study using the mismatch negativity (MMN) sensory memory paradigm. Autism Res 2024; 17:1760-1777. [PMID: 38973746 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3186] [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: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Atypical reactivity to somatosensory inputs is common in autism spectrum disorder and carries considerable impact on downstream social communication and quality of life. While behavioral and survey work have established differences in the perception of somatosensory information, little has been done to elucidate the underlying neurophysiological processes that drive these characteristics. Here, we implemented a duration-based somatosensory mismatch negativity (MMN) paradigm to examine the role of temporal sensitivity and sensory memory in the processing of vibrotactile information in autistic (n = 30) and neurotypical (n = 30) adults. To capture the variability in responses between groups across a range of duration discrepancies, we compared the electrophysiological responses to frequent standard vibrations (100 ms) and four infrequent deviant vibrations (115, 130, 145, and 160 ms). The same stimuli were used in a follow-up behavioral task to determine active detection of the infrequent vibrations. We found no differences between the two groups with regard to discrimination between standard and deviant vibrations, demonstrating comparable neurologic and behavioral temporal somatosensory perception. However, exploratory analyses yielded subtle differences in amplitude at the N1 and P220 time points. Together, these results indicate that the temporal mechanisms of somatosensory discrimination are conserved in adults on the autism spectrum, though more general somatosensory processing may be affected. We discuss these findings in the broader context of the MMN literature in autism, as well as the potential role of cortical maturity in somatosensory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Isenstein
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Edward G Freedman
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Sophie Molholm
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - John J Foxe
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
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Brima T, Beker S, Prinsloo KD, Butler JS, Djukic A, Freedman EG, Molholm S, Foxe JJ. Probing a neural unreliability account of auditory sensory processing atypicalities in Rett Syndrome. J Neurodev Disord 2024; 16:28. [PMID: 38831410 PMCID: PMC11149250 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-024-09544-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the search for objective tools to quantify neural function in Rett Syndrome (RTT), which are crucial in the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials, recordings of sensory-perceptual functioning using event-related potential (ERP) approaches have emerged as potentially powerful tools. Considerable work points to highly anomalous auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) in RTT. However, an assumption of the typical signal-averaging method used to derive these measures is "stationarity" of the underlying responses - i.e. neural responses to each input are highly stereotyped. An alternate possibility is that responses to repeated stimuli are highly variable in RTT. If so, this will significantly impact the validity of assumptions about underlying neural dysfunction, and likely lead to overestimation of underlying neuropathology. To assess this possibility, analyses at the single-trial level assessing signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), inter-trial variability (ITV) and inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC) are necessary. METHODS AEPs were recorded to simple 100 Hz tones from 18 RTT and 27 age-matched controls (Ages: 6-22 years). We applied standard AEP averaging, as well as measures of neuronal reliability at the single-trial level (i.e. SNR, ITV, ITPC). To separate signal-carrying components from non-neural noise sources, we also applied a denoising source separation (DSS) algorithm and then repeated the reliability measures. RESULTS Substantially increased ITV, lower SNRs, and reduced ITPC were observed in auditory responses of RTT participants, supporting a "neural unreliability" account. Application of the DSS technique made it clear that non-neural noise sources contribute to overestimation of the extent of processing deficits in RTT. Post-DSS, ITV measures were substantially reduced, so much so that pre-DSS ITV differences between RTT and TD populations were no longer detected. In the case of SNR and ITPC, DSS substantially improved these estimates in the RTT population, but robust differences between RTT and TD were still fully evident. CONCLUSIONS To accurately represent the degree of neural dysfunction in RTT using the ERP technique, a consideration of response reliability at the single-trial level is highly advised. Non-neural sources of noise lead to overestimation of the degree of pathological processing in RTT, and denoising source separation techniques during signal processing substantially ameliorate this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tufikameni Brima
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience & Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Shlomit Beker
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Departments of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Kevin D Prinsloo
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience & Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - John S Butler
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Technological University Dublin, Kevin Street Campus, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Aleksandra Djukic
- Rett Syndrome Center, Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Edward G Freedman
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience & Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Sophie Molholm
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience & Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Departments of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - John J Foxe
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience & Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA.
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Departments of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA.
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Maw KJ, Beattie G, Burns EJ. Cognitive strengths in neurodevelopmental disorders, conditions and differences: A critical review. Neuropsychologia 2024; 197:108850. [PMID: 38467371 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2024.108850] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders are traditionally characterised by a range of associated cognitive impairments in, for example, sensory processing, facial recognition, visual imagery, attention, and coordination. In this critical review, we propose a major reframing, highlighting the variety of unique cognitive strengths that people with neurodevelopmental differences can exhibit. These include enhanced visual perception, strong spatial, auditory, and semantic memory, superior empathy and theory of mind, along with higher levels of divergent thinking. Whilst we acknowledge the heterogeneity of cognitive profiles in neurodevelopmental conditions, we present a more encouraging and affirmative perspective of these groups, contrasting with the predominant, deficit-based position prevalent throughout both cognitive and neuropsychological research. In addition, we provide a theoretical basis and rationale for these cognitive strengths, arguing for the critical role of hereditability, behavioural adaptation, neuronal-recycling, and we draw on psychopharmacological and social explanations. We present a table of potential strengths across conditions and invite researchers to systematically investigate these in their future work. This should help reduce the stigma around neurodiversity, instead promoting greater social inclusion and significant societal benefits.
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Brima T, Beker S, Prinsloo KD, Butler JS, Djukic A, Freedman EG, Molholm S, Foxe JJ. Probing a neural unreliability account of auditory sensory processing atypicalities in Rett Syndrome. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3863341. [PMID: 38352397 PMCID: PMC10862956 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3863341/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Background In the search for objective tools to quantify neural function in Rett Syndrome (RTT), which are crucial in the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials, recordings of sensory-perceptual functioning using event-related potential (ERP) approaches have emerged as potentially powerful tools. Considerable work points to highly anomalous auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) in RTT. However, an assumption of the typical signal-averaging method used to derive these measures is "stationarity" of the underlying responses - i.e. neural responses to each input are highly stereotyped. An alternate possibility is that responses to repeated stimuli are highly variable in RTT. If so, this will significantly impact the validity of assumptions about underlying neural dysfunction, and likely lead to overestimation of underlying neuropathology. To assess this possibility, analyses at the single-trial level assessing signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), inter-trial variability (ITV) and inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC) are necessary. Methods AEPs were recorded to simple 100Hz tones from 18 RTT and 27 age-matched controls (Ages: 6-22 years). We applied standard AEP averaging, as well as measures of neuronal reliability at the single-trial level (i.e. SNR, ITV, ITPC). To separate signal-carrying components from non-neural noise sources, we also applied a denoising source separation (DSS) algorithm and then repeated the reliability measures. Results Substantially increased ITV, lower SNRs, and reduced ITPC were observed in auditory responses of RTT participants, supporting a "neural unreliability" account. Application of the DSS technique made it clear that non-neural noise sources contribute to overestimation of the extent of processing deficits in RTT. Post-DSS, ITV measures were substantially reduced, so much so that pre-DSS ITV differences between RTT and TD populations were no longer detected. In the case of SNR and ITPC, DSS substantially improved these estimates in the RTT population, but robust differences between RTT and TD were still fully evident. Conclusions To accurately represent the degree of neural dysfunction in RTT using the ERP technique, a consideration of response reliability at the single-trial level is highly advised. Non-neural sources of noise lead to overestimation of the degree of pathological processing in RTT, and denoising source separation techniques during signal processing substantially ameliorate this issue.
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Brima T, Beker S, Prinsloo KD, Butler JS, Djukic A, Freedman EG, Molholm S, Foxe JJ. Probing a neural unreliability account of auditory sensory processing atypicalities in Rett Syndrome. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.01.25.24301723. [PMID: 38343802 PMCID: PMC10854351 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.25.24301723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Background In the search for objective tools to quantify neural function in Rett Syndrome (RTT), which are crucial in the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials, recordings of sensory-perceptual functioning using event-related potential (ERP) approaches have emerged as potentially powerful tools. Considerable work points to highly anomalous auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) in RTT. However, an assumption of the typical signal-averaging method used to derive these measures is "stationarity" of the underlying responses - i.e. neural responses to each input are highly stereotyped. An alternate possibility is that responses to repeated stimuli are highly variable in RTT. If so, this will significantly impact the validity of assumptions about underlying neural dysfunction, and likely lead to overestimation of underlying neuropathology. To assess this possibility, analyses at the single-trial level assessing signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), inter-trial variability (ITV) and inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC) are necessary. Methods AEPs were recorded to simple 100Hz tones from 18 RTT and 27 age-matched controls (Ages: 6-22 years). We applied standard AEP averaging, as well as measures of neuronal reliability at the single-trial level (i.e. SNR, ITV, ITPC). To separate signal-carrying components from non-neural noise sources, we also applied a denoising source separation (DSS) algorithm and then repeated the reliability measures. Results Substantially increased ITV, lower SNRs, and reduced ITPC were observed in auditory responses of RTT participants, supporting a "neural unreliability" account. Application of the DSS technique made it clear that non-neural noise sources contribute to overestimation of the extent of processing deficits in RTT. Post-DSS, ITV measures were substantially reduced, so much so that pre-DSS ITV differences between RTT and TD populations were no longer detected. In the case of SNR and ITPC, DSS substantially improved these estimates in the RTT population, but robust differences between RTT and TD were still fully evident. Conclusions To accurately represent the degree of neural dysfunction in RTT using the ERP technique, a consideration of response reliability at the single-trial level is highly advised. Non-neural sources of noise lead to overestimation of the degree of pathological processing in RTT, and denoising source separation techniques during signal processing substantially ameliorate this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tufikameni Brima
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience &Department of Neuroscience University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Shlomit Beker
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory Departments of Pediatrics and Neuroscience Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - Kevin D. Prinsloo
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience &Department of Neuroscience University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - John S. Butler
- School of Mathematical Sciences Technological University Dublin Kevin Street Campus, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Aleksandra Djukic
- Rett Syndrome Center Department of Neurology Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center Bronx, New York 10467, USA
| | - Edward G. Freedman
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience &Department of Neuroscience University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Sophie Molholm
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience &Department of Neuroscience University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Rochester, New York 14642, USA
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory Departments of Pediatrics and Neuroscience Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - John J. Foxe
- The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience &Department of Neuroscience University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Rochester, New York 14642, USA
- The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory Departments of Pediatrics and Neuroscience Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center Bronx, New York 10461, USA
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Hisaizumi M, Tantam D. Enhanced sensitivity to pitch perception and its possible relation to language acquisition in autism. AUTISM & DEVELOPMENTAL LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENTS 2024; 9:23969415241248618. [PMID: 38817731 PMCID: PMC11138189 DOI: 10.1177/23969415241248618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Background and aims Fascinations for or aversions to particular sounds are a familiar feature of autism, as is an ability to reproduce another person's utterances, precisely copying the other person's prosody as well as their words. Such observations seem to indicate not only that autistic people can pay close attention to what they hear, but also that they have the ability to perceive the finer details of auditory stimuli. This is consistent with the previously reported consensus that absolute pitch is more common in autistic individuals than in neurotypicals. We take this to suggest that autistic people have perception that allows them to pay attention to fine details. It is important to establish whether or not this is so as autism is often presented as a deficit rather than a difference. We therefore undertook a narrative literature review of studies of auditory perception, in autistic and nonautistic individuals, focussing on any differences in processing linguistic and nonlinguistic sounds. Main contributions We find persuasive evidence that nonlinguistic auditory perception in autistic children differs from that of nonautistic children. This is supported by the additional finding of a higher prevalence of absolute pitch and enhanced pitch discriminating abilities in autistic children compared to neurotypical children. Such abilities appear to stem from atypical perception, which is biased toward local-level information necessary for processing pitch and other prosodic features. Enhanced pitch discriminating abilities tend to be found in autistic individuals with a history of language delay, suggesting possible reciprocity. Research on various aspects of language development in autism also supports the hypothesis that atypical pitch perception may be accountable for observed differences in language development in autism. Conclusions The results of our review of previously published studies are consistent with the hypothesis that auditory perception, and particularly pitch perception, in autism are different from the norm but not always impaired. Detail-oriented pitch perception may be an advantage given the right environment. We speculate that unusually heightened sensitivity to pitch differences may be at the cost of the normal development of the perception of the sounds that contribute most to early language development. Implications The acquisition of speech and language may be a process that normally involves an enhanced perception of speech sounds at the expense of the processing of nonlinguistic sounds, but autistic children may not give speech sounds this same priority.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Digby Tantam
- Middlesex University, Existential Academy, London, UK
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Haigh SM, Van Key L, Brosseau P, Eack SM, Leitman DI, Salisbury DF, Behrmann M. Assessing Trial-to-Trial Variability in Auditory ERPs in Autism and Schizophrenia. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:4856-4871. [PMID: 36207652 PMCID: PMC10079782 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05771-0] [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: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Sensory abnormalities are characteristic of autism and schizophrenia. In autism, greater trial-to-trial variability (TTV) in sensory neural responses suggest that the system is more unstable. However, these findings have only been identified in the amplitude and not in the timing of neural responses, and have not been fully explored in schizophrenia. TTV in event-related potential amplitudes and inter-trial coherence (ITC) were assessed in the auditory mismatch negativity (MMN) in autism, schizophrenia, and controls. MMN was largest in autism and smallest in schizophrenia, and TTV was greater in autism and schizophrenia compared to controls. There were no differences in ITC. Greater TTV appears to be characteristic of both autism and schizophrenia, implicating several neural mechanisms that could underlie sensory instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Haigh
- Department of Psychology and Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA.
- Department of Psychology and the Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Laura Van Key
- Department of Psychology and Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Pat Brosseau
- Department of Psychology and the Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Shaun M Eack
- School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Dean F Salisbury
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Marlene Behrmann
- Department of Psychology and the Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Chen Y, Tang E, Ding H, Zhang Y. Auditory Pitch Perception in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2022; 65:4866-4886. [PMID: 36450443 DOI: 10.1044/2022_jslhr-22-00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pitch plays an important role in auditory perception of music and language. This study provides a systematic review with meta-analysis to investigate whether individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have enhanced pitch processing ability and to identify the potential factors associated with processing differences between ASD and neurotypicals. METHOD We conducted a systematic search through six major electronic databases focusing on the studies that used nonspeech stimuli to provide a qualitative and quantitative assessment across existing studies on pitch perception in autism. We identified potential participant- and methodology-related moderators and conducted metaregression analyses using mixed-effects models. RESULTS On the basis of 22 studies with a total of 464 participants with ASD, we obtained a small-to-medium positive effect size (g = 0.26) in support of enhanced pitch perception in ASD. Moreover, the mean age and nonverbal IQ of participants were found to significantly moderate the between-studies heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides the first meta-analysis on auditory pitch perception in ASD and demonstrates the existence of different developmental trajectories between autistic individuals and neurotypicals. In addition to age, nonverbal ability is found to be a significant contributor to the lower level/local processing bias in ASD. We highlight the need for further investigation of pitch perception in ASD under challenging listening conditions. Future neurophysiological and brain imaging studies with a longitudinal design are also needed to better understand the underlying neural mechanisms of atypical pitch processing in ASD and to help guide auditory-based interventions for improving language and social functioning. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21614271.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- Speech-Language-Hearing Center, School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Enze Tang
- Speech-Language-Hearing Center, School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Hongwei Ding
- Speech-Language-Hearing Center, School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences and Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
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