scholarly journals Common and unique multimodal covarying patterns in autism spectrum disorder subtypes

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shile Qi ◽  
Robin Morris ◽  
Jessica A. Turner ◽  
Zening Fu ◽  
Rongtao Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Temporal Cortex ◽  
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Brain Areas ◽  
Functional Features

Abstract Background The heterogeneity inherent in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents a substantial challenge to diagnosis and precision treatment. Heterogeneity across biological etiologies, genetics, neural systems, neurocognitive attributes and clinical subtypes or phenotypes has been observed across individuals with ASD. Methods In this study, we aim to investigate the heterogeneity in ASD from a multimodal brain imaging perspective. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) was used as a reference to guide functional and structural MRI fusion. DSM-IV-TR diagnosed Asperger’s disorder (n = 79), pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified [PDD-NOS] (n = 58) and Autistic disorder (n = 92) from ABIDE II were used as discovery cohort, and ABIDE I (n = 400) was used for replication. Results Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and superior/middle temporal cortex are the primary common functional–structural covarying cortical brain areas shared among Asperger’s, PDD-NOS and Autistic subgroups. Key differences among the three subtypes are negative functional features within subcortical brain areas, including negative putamen–parahippocampus fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) unique to the Asperger’s subtype; negative fALFF in anterior cingulate cortex unique to PDD-NOS subtype; and negative thalamus–amygdala–caudate fALFF unique to the Autistic subtype. Furthermore, each subtype-specific brain pattern is correlated with different ADOS subdomains, with social interaction as the common subdomain. The identified subtype-specific patterns are only predictive for ASD symptoms manifested in the corresponding subtypes, but not the other subtypes. Conclusions Although ASD has a common neural basis with core deficits linked to social interaction, each ASD subtype is strongly linked to unique brain systems and subdomain symptoms, which may help to better understand the underlying mechanisms of ASD heterogeneity from a multimodal neuroimaging perspective. Limitations This study is male based, which cannot be generalized to the female or the general ASD population.

Binding of Dopamine D1 Receptor and Noradrenaline Transporter in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A PET Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 6458-6468
Author(s):  
Manabu Kubota ◽  
Junya Fujino ◽  
Shisei Tei ◽  
Keisuke Takahata ◽  
Kiwamu Matsuoka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Temporal Cortex ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
D1 Receptor ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Noradrenaline Transporter

Abstract Although previous studies have suggested the involvement of dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) neurotransmissions in the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) pathophysiology, few studies have examined these neurotransmissions in individuals with ASD in vivo. Here, we investigated DA D1 receptor (D1R) and noradrenaline transporter (NAT) binding in adults with ASD (n = 18) and neurotypical controls (n = 20) by utilizing two different PET radioligands, [11C]SCH23390 and (S,S)-[18F]FMeNER-D2, respectively. We found no significant group differences in DA D1R (striatum, anterior cingulate cortex, and temporal cortex) or NAT (thalamus and pons) binding. However, in the ASD group, there were significant negative correlations between DA D1R binding (striatum, anterior cingulate cortex and temporal cortex) and the “attention to detail” subscale score of the Autism Spectrum Quotient. Further, there was a significant positive correlation between DA D1R binding (temporal cortex) and emotion perception ability assessed by the neurocognitive battery. Associations of NAT binding with empathic abilities and executive function were found in controls, but were absent in the ASD group. Although a lack of significant group differences in binding might be partly due to the heterogeneity of ASD, our results indicate that central DA and NA function might play certain roles in the clinical characteristics of ASD.

Assessment and Treatment of Selective Mutism in a Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
pp. 153465012098345
Author(s):  
Mirela Cengher ◽  
Joy C. Clayborne ◽  
Adrianna E. Crouch ◽  
Julia T. O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Selective Mutism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Assessment And Treatment

Over 60% of children diagnosed with selective mutism are also diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Previous research established that behavioral interventions are effective at increasing speech in children with both diagnoses. However, few studies conducted assessments to determine environmental variables that inhibit speech, and such assessments are necessary for the development of effective and efficient treatments. This case study describes an assessment that evaluated the function(s) of selective mutism. The results confirmed that the participant did not talk to avoid social interaction and that mutism occurred primarily in the presence of multiple, unfamiliar people. Our first treatment focused on increasing tolerance for social interaction, demonstrated by an increase in speech production in the presence of unfamiliar people. Our second treatment focused on increasing qualitative aspects of the participant’s speech (i.e., both responses and initiations). Finally, we taught the participant’s parents to implement the treatment in naturalistic settings, and the participant demonstrated generalization of treatment effects across people and settings. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Changing diagnostic practices: autism spectrum disorder

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Woodbury-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Cognition ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Medical Practice ◽  
Classification System ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Nosology ◽  
Diagnostic Practices

SummaryIn medical practice it is crucial that symptom descriptions are as precise and objective as possible, which psychiatry attempts to achieve through its psychopathological lexicon. The term ‘autism spectrum disorder’ has now entered psychiatric nosology, but the symptom definitions on which it is based are not robust, potentially making reliable and valid diagnoses a problem. This is further compounded by the spectral nature of the disorder and its lack of clear diagnostic boundaries. To overcome this, there is a need for a psychopathological lexicon of 'social cognition’ and a classification system that splits rather than lumps disorders with core difficulties in social interaction.

scholarly journals Fostering Emotion Recognition in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Vinícius Silva ◽  
Filomena Soares ◽  
João Sena Esteves ◽  
Cristina P. Santos ◽  
Ana Paula Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Emotion Recognition ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Robotic Platform ◽  
Children With Asd

Facial expressions are of utmost importance in social interactions, allowing communicative prompts for a speaking turn and feedback. Nevertheless, not all have the ability to express themselves socially and emotionally in verbal and non-verbal communication. In particular, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are characterized by impairments in social communication, repetitive patterns of behaviour, and restricted activities or interests. In the literature, the use of robotic tools is reported to promote social interaction with children with ASD. The main goal of this work is to develop a system capable of automatic detecting emotions through facial expressions and interfacing them with a robotic platform (Zeno R50 Robokind® robotic platform, named ZECA) in order to allow social interaction with children with ASD. ZECA was used as a mediator in social communication activities. The experimental setup and methodology for a real-time facial expression (happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and neutral) recognition system was based on the Intel® RealSense™ 3D sensor and on facial features extraction and multiclass Support Vector Machine classifier. The results obtained allowed to infer that the proposed system is adequate in support sessions with children with ASD, giving a strong indication that it may be used in fostering emotion recognition and imitation skills.

scholarly journals Social Attention Deficits in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Task Dependence of Objects vs. Faces Observation Bias

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susana Mouga ◽  
João Castelhano ◽  
Cátia Café ◽  
Daniela Sousa ◽  
Frederico Duque ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Social Attention ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficits ◽  
Social Stimuli ◽  
Task Dependence ◽  
Observation Bias ◽  
Autism Diagnostic Observation

Social attention deficits represent a central impairment of patients suffering from autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the nature of such deficits remains controversial. We compared visual attention regarding social (faces) vs. non-social stimuli (objects), in an ecological diagnostic context, in 46 children and adolescents divided in two groups: ASD (N = 23) and typical neurodevelopment (TD) (N = 23), matched for chronological age and intellectual performance. Eye-tracking measures of visual scanning, while exploring and describing scenes from three different tasks from the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), were analyzed: “Description of a Picture,” “Cartoons,” and “Telling a Story from a Book.” Our analyses revealed a three-way interaction between Group, Task, and Social vs. Object Stimuli. We found a striking main effect of group and a task dependence of attentional allocation: while the TD attended first and longer to faces, ASD participants became similar to TD when they were asked to look at pictures while telling a story. Our results suggest that social attention allocation is task dependent, raising the question whether spontaneous attention deficits can be rescued by guiding goal-directed actions.

scholarly journals Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Intervention, and Counseling Needs of the Families in Jordan

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Emad Mohammad ali ◽  
Fatimah eid ziad Al- Adwan ◽  
Yazan M. Al-Naimat
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Nonverbal Communication ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Behavioral Patterns ◽  
Dramatic Rise ◽  
Counseling Needs

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is one of the most confusing disorders for which not only no exact cause has been identified, but also no definitive cure has been found yet. Autism is a disorder that is usually observed on the child at an early age, affecting various developmental aspects. Its development is abnormal. It shows an imbalance in its social interaction, characterized by repetition of certain behavioral patterns and challenges in verbal and nonverbal communication with others. Over the last few decades, its prevalence showed a dramatic rise; an observation that encouraged many researchers across the globe to try to explore all its aspects from etiology to diagnosis and intervention. Because of the difficulties in teaching children with autism, the families in Jordan encounter many challenges and stresses. This paper discusses the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, treatment, types and the counseling needs of the families in Jordan.

Being social in a 3D collaborative virtual learning environment : a case study of youth with autism spectrum disorder learning social competence in iSocial

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Xianhui Wang
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Competence ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Reciprocal Social Interaction

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Over the past decade 3D collaborative virtual learning has gained increasing attention from researchers and practitioners in educational technology. Learners experience of presence in collaborative activities and social interactions among learners are identified as key constructs for the social dimensions of 3D collaborative virtual learning. 3D Collaborative Virtual Learning Environments (CVLEs) are beginning to be used to support learning in a variety of disciplines, including social skills learning for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This case study explores 11 youth with ASD's experience of embodied social presence and reciprocal social interaction while learning social competence in a 3D CVLE-iSocial. The findings describe youth with ASD's 1) levels of embodied presence, embodied copresence, and embodied social presence; and 2) verbal and nonverbal reciprocal social interactions across the variety of Naturalistic Practice activities in iSocial. In addition, the results of this case study inform future design by indicating associations of design features of iSocial 3D CVLE with youth with ASD's experience of embodied social presence and characteristics of reciprocal social interaction.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

2020 ◽  
pp. 95-122
Author(s):  
Vikas Khullar ◽  
Harjit Pal Singh ◽  
Manju Bala
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Detailed Review ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
The Subject

In the area of psychosis, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a mental disorder included with the major deficits associated with social interaction, communication, and repetitive or stereotypical behavior. A large number of computer-assisted approaches have been developed over the last few decades to improve the lifestyle of the subject with ASD. The aim of this study is to provide a detailed review of computational advancements for ASD interventions. This chapter summarizes the basic theories in autism and also discusses the technological developments of autism in the present era. With the enrichment in technological developments, researchers and experts focused on the monitoring and improvement of the skills (social, communication, and behavioral) in individuals with autism-related disorders. In conclusion, the work presented in this chapter summarizes that the evolutionary computational interventions have a remarkable possibility for the monitoring and basic skills enhancement in ASD.

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