scholarly journals Visual and somatosensory feedback mechanisms of precision manual motor control in autism spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin L. Shafer ◽  
Zheng Wang ◽  
James Bartolotti ◽  
Matthew W. Mosconi
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Visual Feedback ◽  
Grip Force ◽  
Motor Behavior ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Force Variability ◽  
Tendon Vibration ◽  
Motor Behaviors ◽  
Somatosensory Feedback

Abstract Background Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show deficits processing sensory feedback to reactively adjust ongoing motor behaviors. Atypical reliance on visual and somatosensory feedback each have been reported during motor behaviors in ASD suggesting that impairments are not specific to one sensory domain but may instead reflect a deficit in multisensory processing, resulting in reliance on unimodal feedback. The present study tested this hypothesis by examining motor behavior across different visual and somatosensory feedback conditions during a visually guided precision grip force test. Methods Participants with ASD (N = 43) and age-matched typically developing (TD) controls (N = 23), ages 10–20 years, completed a test of precision gripping. They pressed on force transducers with their index finger and thumb while receiving visual feedback on a computer screen in the form of a horizontal bar that moved upwards with increased force. They were instructed to press so that the bar reached the level of a static target bar and then to hold their grip force as steadily as possible. Visual feedback was manipulated by changing the gain of the force bar. Somatosensory feedback was manipulated by applying 80 Hz tendon vibration at the wrist to disrupt the somatosensory percept. Force variability (standard deviation) and irregularity (sample entropy) were examined using multilevel linear models. Results While TD controls showed increased force variability with the tendon vibration on compared to off, individuals with ASD showed similar levels of force variability across tendon vibration conditions. Individuals with ASD showed stronger age-associated reductions in force variability relative to controls across conditions. The ASD group also showed greater age-associated increases in force irregularity relative to controls, especially at higher gain levels and when the tendon vibrator was turned on. Conclusions Our findings that disrupting somatosensory feedback did not contribute to changes in force variability or regularity among individuals with ASD suggests a reduced ability to integrate somatosensory feedback information to guide ongoing precision manual motor behavior. We also document stronger age-associated gains in force control in ASD relative to TD suggesting delayed development of multisensory feedback control of motor behavior.

scholarly journals Visual and proprioceptive feedback mechanisms of precision manual motor control in autism spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin L Shafer ◽  
Zheng Wang ◽  
James Bartolotti ◽  
Matthew W. Mosconi
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Visual Feedback ◽  
Grip Force ◽  
Motor Behavior ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Proprioceptive Feedback ◽  
Force Variability ◽  
Tendon Vibration ◽  
Motor Behaviors

Abstract Background Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show deficits processing sensory feedback to reactively adjust ongoing motor behaviors. Atypical reliance on visual and proprioceptive feedback each have been reported during motor behaviors in ASD suggesting that impairments are not specific to one sensory domain but may instead reflect a deficit in multisensory processing, resulting in reliance on unimodal feedback. The present study tested this hypothesis by examining motor behavior across different visual and proprioceptive feedback conditions during a visually guided precision grip force test. Methods Participants with ASD (N = 43) and age-matched typically developing (TD) controls (N = 23), range 10–20 years, completed a test of precision gripping. They pressed on force sensors with their index finger and thumb while receiving visual feedback on a computer screen in the form of a horizontal bar that moved upwards with increased force. They were instructed to press so that the bar reached the level of a static target bar and then to hold their grip force as steadily as possible. Visual feedback was manipulated by changing the gain of the force bar. Proprioceptive feedback was manipulated by applying 80 Hz tendon vibration at the wrist to induce an illusion of muscle elongation. Force variability (standard deviation) and irregularity (sample entropy) were examined using multilevel linear models. Results While TD controls showed increased force variability with the tendon vibration on compared to off, individuals with ASD showed similar levels of force variability across tendon vibration conditions. Individuals with ASD showed stronger age-associated reductions in force variability relative to controls across conditions. The ASD group also showed greater age-associated increases in force irregularity relative to controls, especially at higher gain levels and when the tendon vibrator was turned on. Conclusions Our findings that individuals with ASD show similar levels of force variability and regularity during induced proprioceptive illusions suggest a reduced ability to integrate proprioceptive feedback information to guide ongoing precision manual motor behavior. We also document stronger age-associated gains in force control in ASD relative to TD suggesting delayed development of multisensory feedback control of motor behavior.

scholarly journals Distinct Sensorimotor Feedforward and Feedback Deficits Vary with Age in Individuals with Autism Spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn E Unruh ◽  
Walker S McKinney ◽  
Kandace K Fleming ◽  
John A Sweeney ◽  
Matthew W Mosconi
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Eye Movements ◽  
Motor Behavior ◽  
Precision Grip ◽  
Saccadic Eye Movements ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Force Variability ◽  
Motor Behaviors ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Background: Sensorimotor issues are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), related to core symptoms, and predictive of worse functional outcomes. Deficits in rapid, feedforward processes executed prior to availability of sensory feedback, and continuous, feedback-guided motor behaviors each have been reported, but the degree to which these deficits are distinct or co-segregate in individuals is not well understood. Methods: To characterize feedforward and feedback control of motor behavior in ASD, we examined saccadic eye movements (feedforward) and sustained precision gripping (feedback) in 109 individuals with ASD and 101 age-matched typically developing (TD) controls (range: 5-28 years). We measured latency and gain of saccades and error, variability, and regularity of precision grip. Linear mixed effects models were conducted to examine whether sensorimotor behavior varied according to diagnostic group, age, handedness, and sex. Results: Individuals with ASD showed reduced accuracy of saccadic eye movements relative to controls, and their dysmetria was more severe at older ages. Individuals with ASD showed increased precision grip force variability relative to controls, especially at younger ages, while increased motor regularity was more pronounced in older individuals with ASD. Feedforward and feedback motor behaviors were strongly inter-related among controls, but not among individuals with ASD. Saccade dysmetria and increased force variability were associated with ASD symptom severity. Limitations: Our age-related findings rely on cross-sectional data. Longitudinal studies of component motor skills and their associations with clinical outcomes are needed to clarify neurodevelopmental mechanisms of core and associated symptoms of ASD. Feedforward behavior was characterized in the oculomotor system using ballistic movements completed too rapidly to be guided by online feedback; however, future studies are needed to examine feedforward and feedback processes across both manual and oculomotor systems. Conclusions: These findings suggest that separate neurodevelopmental mechanisms contribute to feedforward and feedback motor deficits in ASD, and that they are more manifest at different stages in life span development. Our results highlight the needs for more fine-grained approaches to parse separate motor impairments that often are considered as a unitary deficit in ASD, and to characterize variation in motor behaviors across development.

scholarly journals Initial action output and feedback-guided motor behaviors in autism spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn E. Unruh ◽  
Walker S. McKinney ◽  
Erin K. Bojanek ◽  
Kandace K. Fleming ◽  
John A. Sweeney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Grip Force ◽  
Feedforward Control ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Force Variability ◽  
Force Output ◽  
Motor Behaviors ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Background Sensorimotor issues are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), related to core symptoms, and predictive of worse functional outcomes. Deficits in rapid behaviors supported primarily by feedforward mechanisms, and continuous, feedback-guided motor behaviors each have been reported, but the degrees to which they are distinct or co-segregate within individuals and across development are not well understood. Methods We characterized behaviors that varied in their involvement of feedforward control relative to feedback control across skeletomotor (precision grip force) and oculomotor (saccades) control systems in 109 individuals with ASD and 101 age-matched typically developing controls (range: 5–29 years) including 58 individuals with ASD and 57 controls who completed both grip and saccade tests. Grip force was examined across multiple force (15, 45, and 85% MVC) and visual gain levels (low, medium, high). Maximum grip force also was examined. During grip force tests, reaction time, initial force output accuracy, variability, and entropy were examined. For the saccade test, latency, accuracy, and trial-wise variability of latency and accuracy were examined. Results Relative to controls, individuals with ASD showed similar accuracy of initial grip force but reduced accuracy of saccadic eye movements specific to older ages of our sample. Force variability was greater in ASD relative to controls, but saccade gain variability (across trials) was not different between groups. Force entropy was reduced in ASD, especially at older ages. We also find reduced grip strength in ASD that was more severe in dominant compared to non-dominant hands. Limitations Our age-related findings rely on cross-sectional data. Longitudinal studies of sensorimotor behaviors and their associations with ASD symptoms are needed. Conclusions We identify reduced accuracy of initial motor output in ASD that was specific to the oculomotor system implicating deficient feedforward control that may be mitigated during slower occurring behaviors executed in the periphery. Individuals with ASD showed increased continuous force variability but similar levels of trial-to-trial saccade accuracy variability suggesting that feedback-guided refinement of motor commands is deficient specifically when adjustments occur rapidly during continuous behavior. We also document reduced lateralization of grip strength in ASD implicating atypical hemispheric specialization.

scholarly journals Motor signatures in autism spectrum disorder: the importance of variability

2016 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 1081-1084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Parma ◽  
Ashley B. de Marchena
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Grip Force ◽  
Motor Behavior ◽  
Precision Grip ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Control Task ◽  
Feedback Mechanisms ◽  
Grip Force Control

In a recent study, Wang et al. ( J Neurophysiol 113: 1989–2001, 2015) used a precision grip force control task to unveil the contribution of feedforward and feedback mechanisms to sensorimotor dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Impairment of both motor control mechanisms was observed, along with significant variability in the motor response. In this Neuro Forum article we discuss these findings within the conceptual framework of the grasping circuit and within the broader context of clinical and research applications based on motor behavior.

The Language Development Via FOXP2 in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (37) ◽  
pp. 4789-4795
Author(s):  
Panpan Chen ◽  
Zhongying Li ◽  
Yanfei Li ◽  
Syed S. Ahmad ◽  
Mohammad A. Kamal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Childhood Apraxia Of Speech ◽  
Motor Behaviors ◽  
Complex Motor ◽  
The Right

Background: An increasing number of newborn children in numerous nations are enrolled in early childhood education programs, and instructors, in this way, assume a focal job in invigorating language improvement in these youthful kids. Kids with language issues are found to have a higher risk for future scholarly challenges and learning inabilities. Language advancement among kids is an intricate procedure and vital for correspondence. The shortcomings in the utilization of grammatical structures may lessen the useful utilization of language for verbally expressive kids with autism spectrum disorder and exacerbate troubles with academic and social expertise advancement. Results: FOXP2, the single principal gene connected to a speech and language issue, is significant for the right execution of complex motor behaviors used for speech. In any case, changes in FOXP2 lead to a speech/language issue portrayed by childhood apraxia of speech. These days, language learning is fundamentally required for kids who need to move to different nations to pursue the instructive frameworks and be helpful individuals or residents of those nations. Conclusion: The purpose of this study was to explore the role of FOXP2 in language disorder and its management for children’s language and communication development.

scholarly journals Associations between parental broader autism phenotype and child autism spectrum disorder phenotype in the Study to Explore Early Development

Autism ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 436-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Rubenstein ◽  
Lisa D Wiggins ◽  
Laura A Schieve ◽  
Chyrise Bradley ◽  
Carolyn DiGuiseppi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Developmental Delay ◽  
Early Development ◽  
Broader Autism Phenotype ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Motor Delay ◽  
Motor Behaviors ◽  
Repetitive Motor ◽  
Autism Phenotype

The autism spectrum disorder phenotype varies by social and communication ability and co-occurring developmental, behavioral, and medical conditions. Etiology is also diverse, with myriad potential genetic origins and environmental risk factors. Examining the influence of parental broader autism phenotype—a set of sub-clinical characteristics of autism spectrum disorder—on child autism spectrum disorder phenotypes may help reduce heterogeneity in potential genetic predisposition for autism spectrum disorder. We assessed the associations between parental broader autism phenotype and child phenotype among children of age 30–68 months enrolled in the Study to Explore Early Development (N = 707). Child autism spectrum disorder phenotype was defined by a replication of latent classes derived from multiple developmental and behavioral measures: Mild Language Delay with Cognitive Rigidity, Mild Language and Motor Delay with Dysregulation (e.g. anxiety/depression), General Developmental Delay, and Significant Developmental Delay with Repetitive Motor Behaviors. Scores on the Social Responsiveness Scale-Adult measured parent broader autism phenotype. Broader autism phenotype in at least one parent was associated with a child having increased odds of being classified as mild language and motor delay with dysregulation compared to significant developmental delay with repetitive motor behaviors (odds ratio: 2.44; 95% confidence interval: 1.16, 5.09). Children of parents with broader autism phenotype were more likely to have a phenotype qualitatively similar to broader autism phenotype presentation; this may have implications for etiologic research.

scholarly journals Increased Force Variability Is Associated with Altered Modulation of the Motorneuron Pool Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Wang ◽  
Minhyuk Kwon ◽  
Suman Mohanty ◽  
Lauren M. Schmitt ◽  
Stormi P. White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Force Variability

scholarly journals Individuals with autism spectrum disorder show abnormalities during initial and subsequent phases of precision gripping

2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (7) ◽  
pp. 1989-2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Wang ◽  
Grant C. Magnon ◽  
Stormi P. White ◽  
Rachel K. Greene ◽  
David E. Vaillancourt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Visual Feedback ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Force Level ◽  
Force Output ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Target Force

Sensorimotor impairments are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but they are not well understood. Here we examined force control during initial pulses and the subsequent rise, sustained, and relaxation phases of precision gripping in 34 individuals with ASD and 25 healthy control subjects. Participants pressed on opposing load cells with their thumb and index finger while receiving visual feedback regarding their performance. They completed 2- and 8-s trials during which they pressed at 15%, 45%, or 85% of their maximum force. Initial pulses guided by feedforward control mechanisms, sustained force output controlled by visual feedback processes, and force relaxation rates all were examined. Control subjects favored an initial pulse strategy characterized by a rapid increase in and then relaxation of force when the target force was low ( Type 1). When the target force level or duration of trials was increased, control subjects transitioned to a strategy in which they more gradually increased their force, paused, and then increased their force again. Individuals with ASD showed a more persistent bias toward the Type 1 strategy at higher force levels and during longer trials, and their initial force output was less accurate than that of control subjects. Patients showed increased force variability compared with control subjects when attempting to sustain a constant force level. During the relaxation phase, they showed reduced rates of force decrease. These findings suggest that both feedforward and feedback motor control mechanisms are compromised in ASD and these deficits may contribute to the dyspraxia and sensorimotor abnormalities often seen in this disorder.

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