Investigating autism spectrum disorder and autistic traits in early onset eating disorder

AbstractStatistical learning refers to the ability to extract the statistical relations embedded in a sequence, and it plays a crucial role in the development of communicative and social skills that are impacted in the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Here, we investigated the relationship between infants’ SL ability and autistic traits in their parents. Using a visual habituation task, we tested infant offspring of adults (non-diagnosed) who show high (HAT infants) versus low (LAT infants) autistic traits. Results demonstrated that LAT infants learned the statistical structure embedded in a visual sequence, while HAT infants failed. Moreover, infants’ SL ability was related to autistic traits in their parents, further suggesting that early dysfunctions in SL might contribute to variabilities in ASD symptoms.

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Implicit Semantic Processing of Linguistic and Non-linguistic Stimuli in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders ◽

10.1007/s10803-020-04736-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Emme O’Rourke ◽

Emily L. Coderre

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Language Processing ◽

Semantic Processing ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Event Related Potential ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Adults With Autism ◽

Priming Task ◽

Adults With Asd

AbstractWhile many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience difficulties with language processing, non-linguistic semantic processing may be intact. We examined neural responses to an implicit semantic priming task by comparing N400 responses—an event-related potential related to semantic processing—in response to semantically related or unrelated pairs of words or pictures. Adults with ASD showed larger N400 responses than typically developing adults for pictures, but no group differences occurred for words. However, we also observed complex modulations of N400 amplitude by age and by level of autistic traits. These results offer important implications for how groups are delineated and compared in autism research.

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Associations between autism spectrum disorder and eating disorders with and without self-induced vomiting: an empirical study

Journal of Eating Disorders ◽

10.1186/s40337-020-00359-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Noriko Numata ◽

Akiko Nakagawa ◽

Kazuko Yoshioka ◽

Kayoko Isomura ◽

Daisuke Matsuzawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Eating Disorders ◽

Eating Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

University Hospital ◽

Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽

Essential Difference ◽

Illness Duration ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background Although approximately 23% of anorexia nervosa (AN) patients have concomitant autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it is clinically difficult to determine ASD coexistence in patients with eating disorders. Restrictive AN is more common in younger patients and self-induced vomiting usually appears during adolescence/young adulthood, in order to prevent gaining weight caused by overeating. However, some patients are tolerant of weight gain even if they start overeating. It is important to understand the essential difference between those who vomit and those who do not vomit. In this study, we hypothesised that the absence of self-induced vomiting may be associated with the presence of ASD and aimed to assess the presence of ASD traits in each eating disorder (EDs). Clarifying this association helps to consider the coexistence of ASD in the clinical setting and can lead to the next detailed ASD evaluation, and as a result, helps to determine the appropriate treatment and support individually. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 43 females aged 15–45 years who attended Chiba University Hospital between 2012 and 2016 using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) to quantify the severity of the EDs and to identify whether ASD traits were present. Results There was no difference in the AQ score between bingeing-purging type AN and restricting type AN. However, there was significant difference in the AQ score between bulimia nervosa and binge EDs (BED). Of the 4 ED subtypes, BED had the highest ASD traits. The non-vomiting group with illness duration < 4 years had a significantly higher AQ communication score than the vomiting group with illness duration ≥4 years. Conclusions There was a difference in the AQ score by the presence or absence of self-induced vomiting. The results of this study suggest an association between high scores on AQ and non-vomiting. Thus, evaluation of patients for the absence of self-induced vomiting while assessing them for EDs may help us to understand the association with ASD traits.

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Comparison of cognitive functions children with the autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.498 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S457-S458

Author(s):

N. Zvereva ◽

N. Simashkova ◽

A. Koval-Zaitsev

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Visual Perception ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Early Onset ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Early Onset Schizophrenia ◽

Competing Interest ◽

Autistic Disorders

IntroductionAutism spectrum disorder and early onset schizophrenia have many similar symptoms, however, these are different disorders. It is important to identify the main similarities\differences in the structure of cognitive impairment to define further assistance these children correctly. We distinguished two options for cognitive defect (total and partial) in children with schizophrenia.AimsComparison of cognitive functions at children with autism spectrum disorder and early onset schizophrenia.ObjectivesTwo groups with autism spectrum disorder (ASD1 – 22 patients of MHRC mean age 8.9; ASD2 – 27 pupils of special school mean age 7,4). Two groups with early onset schizophrenia (F20.8 – 16 patients of MHRC mean age 10,2; F21 – 18 patients of MHRC mean age 10.0).MethodsBattery of pathopsychological tests for assessing cognitive functions (memory, attention, thinking), test figures of Leeper for visual perception. Z-scales were used for estimation of cognitive deficit or defect.ResultsPatients demonstrate variety of cognitive functioning. Normal cognitive functioning: ASD1* – 22%, F20.8 – 18%, F21* – 50% (* – P ≤ 0.05); partial cognitive defect: ASD1 – 27%, F20.8 – 18%, F21 – 22%; total cognitive defect: ASD1** – 50%, F20.8 – 64%, F21** – 27% (** – P ≤ 0.01). ASD1 and F20 were the worth in thinking. Children ASD1 and ASD2 demonstrate similar success in recognizing Leeper's figures.ConclusionsThere are some common features of cognitive development in children with severe forms of ASD and early onset schizophrenia, first of all in thinking.No significant differences obtained between severe – mild forms of autistic disorders in visual perception (ASD1 and ASD2).Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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A systematic PRISMA review of individuals with autism spectrum disorder in secure psychiatric care: prevalence, treatment, risk assessment and other clinical considerations

Journal of Criminal Psychology ◽

10.1108/jcp-06-2017-0028 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 58-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Clare S. Allely

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Psychiatric Care ◽

Psychiatric Hospitals ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Bibliographic Databases ◽

Future Research ◽

Content Type ◽

Secure Psychiatric Care

Purpose Patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present with specific assessment, specific difficulties, needs and therapeutic issues and therefore are a challenging group for forensic services. Given the challenge that individuals with ASD present to forensic services, the suggested increase in the number of this group within this setting and the relatively little amount of research which suggests they face a number of difficulties within the prison environment, the purpose of this paper is to identify and review all the studies which have been carried out investigating any aspect of ASD in relation to secure hospital settings. Design/methodology/approach Seven internet-based bibliographic databases were used for the present review. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Findings A total of 12 studies were included in this review; 3 looked at the prevalence of ASD in secure psychiatric hospitals. One study evaluated the clinical utility of the AQ screening tool to assess self-reported autistic traits in secure psychiatric settings. Three explored any type of characteristics of patients with ASD detained in secure psychiatric hospitals. One study investigated the experiences or quality of life of patients with an ASD detained in secure psychiatric care. Two studies investigated awareness, knowledge and/or views regarding patients with ASD held by staff working within secure psychiatric hospitals. Lastly, three studies (one of which was also included in the prevalence category above) looked at the effectiveness of interventions or treatment of patients with ASD in secure psychiatric hospitals. Clinical recommendations and future research directions are discussed. Originality/value To the author’s knowledge, this is the first review to explore what research has been carried out looking specifically at patients with ASD in relation to secure forensic settings.

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Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder and autistic traits in children with anorexia nervosa and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder

BioPsychoSocial Medicine ◽

10.1186/s13030-021-00212-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Takeshi Inoue ◽

Ryoko Otani ◽

Toshiyuki Iguchi ◽

Ryuta Ishii ◽

Soh Uchida ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Anorexia Nervosa ◽

Food Intake ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽

Multicenter Cohort Study ◽

Feeding And Eating Disorders

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and feeding and eating disorders (FEDs) such as anorexia nervosa (AN) are strongly linked as evidenced by frequent comorbidity and overlapping traits. However, eating and social behaviors are shaped by culture, so it is critical to examine these associations in different populations. Moreover, FEDs are heterogeneous, and there has been no examination of autistic traits in avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Methods Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of ASD and autistic traits among Japanese children with AN (n = 92) or ARFID (n = 32) from a prospective multicenter cohort study using the Autism Spectrum Quotient Children’s version (AQC) and Children’s Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT26). Results ASD prevalence was high in both AN and ARFID (16.3 and 12.5%, respectively). The AN group exhibited significantly higher scores on all AQC subscales than an age-matched healthy control (HC) group, but there were no significant correlations between AQC scores and ChEAT26 scores. In the AFRID group, AQC scores did not differ from HCs, but significant correlations were found between total AQC and ChEAT26 scores and between several AQC and ChEAT26 subscales. Conclusions Both the AN and ARFID groups had high prevalence rates of ASD. The AN group showed a significantly higher degree of autistic traits than the HC group; however, no difference was found between the ARFID and HC groups. Clinicians need to be aware of these rates when working with children with ED.

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Receptive Language in Primary-School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Clinical Psychology and Special Education ◽

10.17759/cpse.2021100407 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 137-161

Author(s):

D.S. Pereverzeva ◽

U.A. Mamokhina ◽

E.Yu. Davydova ◽

A.A. Lopukhina ◽

V.G. Arutiunian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Receptive Language ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Verbal Intelligence ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Autistic Disorders ◽

The Relationship

The objective of the present study is to investigate the relationship between the receptive language, and the index of non-verbal intelligence and the level of severity of autistic disorders in primary-school-aged children with Autism spectrum disorder. One of the main areas influenced by autistic disorders is communication. Therefore, the study of the language abilities of such children and factors that affect them provides a better approach to the therapy and education. The sample included 50 children aged 7–11 years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Children were tested using the KORABLIK method (basic linguistic skills), the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC-II) or the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children ― Third Edition (WISC-III) (non-verbal intelligence), the Autism Diagnosis Observation Schedule ― Second Edition (ADOS-II) (autistic traits). The results support the hypothesis of the relationship between receptive language skills, the index of non-verbal intelligence, and symptoms of autism. The severity of autistic traits is negatively associated with some phonological and lexical levels of the receptive speech, as well as with understanding of discourse. The non-verbal intelligence index is positively associated with speech comprehension at all levels. A specific feature of receptive language in children with Autism spectrum disorder aged 7–11 years is the uneven development, which is associated with the severity of autistic traits and is not associated with the intelligence level.

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Early-onset dementia in autism spectrum disorder

Nature Reviews Neurology ◽

10.1038/s41582-021-00564-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ian Fyfe

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Early Onset ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Early Onset Dementia

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The Association Between Somatic Health, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Autistic Traits

Behavior Genetics ◽

10.1007/s10519-019-09986-3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 233-246 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Pei-Yin Pan ◽

Kristiina Tammimies ◽

Sven Bölte

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Twin Pair ◽

Monozygotic Twins ◽

Twin Studies ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Social Responsiveness ◽

Somatic Health ◽

Validated Questionnaire

AbstractThis study used a twin cohort to investigate the association of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autistic traits with somatic health. A total of 344 twins (172 pairs; mean age 15.56 ± 5.62 years) enriched for ASD and other neurodevelopmental conditions were examined. Medical history and current physical problems were collected with a validated questionnaire to determine twin’s somatic health. The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) was used to measure the participant’s severity of autistic traits. Identified somatic health issues with significant within-twin pair differences were tested in relation to both ASD diagnosis and autistic traits in a co-twin control model. Twins with ASD exhibited more neurological and immunological health problems compared to those without ASD (p = 0.005 and p = 0.004, respectively). The intra-pair differences of neurological conditions and SRS-2 score were significantly correlated in monozygotic twins differing for autism traits (r = 0.40, p = 0.001), while the correlation was not found for immunological problems. In addition, a conditional model for analysis of within-twin pair effects revealed an association between neurological problems and clinical ASD diagnosis (Odds ratio per neurological problem 3.15, p = 0.02), as well as autistic traits (β = 10.44, p = 0.006), after adjusting for possible effects of co-existing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and general intellectual abilities. Our findings suggest that neurological problems are associated with autism, and that non-shared environmental factors contribute to the overlap for both clinical ASD and autistic traits. Further population-based twin studies are warranted to validate our results and examine in detailed the shared genetic and environmental contributions of neurological problems and ASD.

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Distance to the Neutral Face Predicts Arousal Ratings of Dynamic Facial Expressions in Individuals With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2020.577494 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Jan N. Schneider ◽

Timothy R. Brick ◽

Isabel Dziobek

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Facial Expressions ◽

Average Distance ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Movement Speed ◽

Emotional States ◽

Static Information ◽

Neutral Face

Arousal is one of the dimensions of core affect and frequently used to describe experienced or observed emotional states. While arousal ratings of facial expressions are collected in many studies it is not well understood how arousal is displayed in or interpreted from facial expressions. In the context of socioemotional disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, this poses the question of a differential use of facial information for arousal perception. In this study, we demonstrate how automated face-tracking tools can be used to extract predictors of arousal judgments. We find moderate to strong correlations among all measures of static information on one hand and all measures of dynamic information on the other. Based on these results, we tested two measures, average distance to the neutral face and average facial movement speed, within and between neurotypical individuals (N = 401) and individuals with autism (N = 19). Distance to the neutral face was predictive of arousal in both groups. Lower mean arousal ratings were found for the autistic group, but no difference in correlation of the measures and arousal ratings could be found between groups. Results were replicated in an high autistic traits group. The findings suggest a qualitatively similar perception of arousal for individuals with and without autism. No correlations between valence ratings and any of the measures could be found, emphasizing the specificity of our tested measures. Distance and speed predictors share variability and thus speed should not be discarded as a predictor of arousal ratings.

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