scholarly journals Challenging Weak Central Coherence: A Brief Exploration of Neurological Evidence from Visual Processing and Linguistic Studies in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2019 ◽  
pp. 136-143
Author(s):  
Jessica Scher Lisa ◽  
Eric Shyman
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Weak Central Coherence ◽  
Central Coherence ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Visuospatial Processing ◽  
Neuro Imaging

Previous theories have attempted to locate the root cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in terms of a typical central cognitive processes. However, the field of neuroscience is increasingly finding structural and functional differences between autistic and neuro-typical individuals using neuro-imaging technology which either support or challenge earlier cognitive theories. One main area upon which this research has focused is in visuospatial processing, with specific attention to the notion of “weak central coherence” (WCC), which refers to the tendency of individuals with ASD to be unable to interpret “global” information while hyper-focusing on local information. The current paper offers a brief review of findings from selected studies in order to explore available research that challenges the “deficit” characterization of a WCC theory as opposed to a “superiority” characterization of a strong local coherence.

scholarly journals A case study of a multiply talented savant with an autism spectrum disorder: neuropsychological functioning and brain morphometry

2009 ◽  
Vol 364 (1522) ◽  
pp. 1425-1432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory L. Wallace ◽  
Francesca Happé ◽  
Jay N. Giedd
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Neuropsychological Functioning ◽  
Art Music ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Central Coherence ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Brain Morphometry ◽  
Visuospatial Processing

Neuropsychological functioning and brain morphometry in a savant (case GW) with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and both calendar calculation and artistic skills are quantified and compared with small groups of neurotypical controls. Good memory, mental calculation and visuospatial processing, as well as (implicit) knowledge of calendar structure and ‘weak’ central coherence characterized the cognitive profile of case GW. Possibly reflecting his savant skills, the superior parietal region of GW's cortex was the only area thicker (while areas such as the superior and medial prefrontal, middle temporal and motor cortices were thinner) than that of a neurotypical control group. Taken from the perspective of learning/practice-based models, skills in domains (e.g. calendars, art, music) that capitalize upon strengths often associated with ASD, such as detail-focused processing, are probably further enhanced through over-learning and massive exposure, and reflected in atypical brain structure.

scholarly journals High Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Characterization of the Neuroligin-3 Knock-in Mouse Model Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e109872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Kumar ◽  
Jeffery T. Duda ◽  
Wei-Ting Hwang ◽  
Charles Kenworthy ◽  
Ranjit Ittyerah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Resonance Imaging

scholarly journals Decreased homotopic interhemispheric functional connectivity in children with autism spectrum disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuxia Yao ◽  
Menghan Zhou ◽  
Yuan Zhang ◽  
Feng Zhou ◽  
Qianqian Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Brain Networks ◽  
Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Volume Changes ◽  
Processing Network

AbstractWhile a number of functional and structural changes occur in large-scale brain networks in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), reduced interhemispheric resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) between homotopic regions may be of particular importance as a biomarker. ASD is an early-onset developmental disorder and neural alterations are often age-dependent, reflecting dysregulated developmental trajectories, although no studies have investigated whether homotopic interhemispheric rsFC alterations occur in ASD children. The present study conducted a voxel-based homotopic interhemispheric rsFC analysis in 146 SD and 175 typically developing children under age 10 and examined associations with symptom severity in the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange datasets. Given the role of corpus callosum (CC) in interhemispheric connectivity and reported CC volume changes in ASD we additionally examined whether there were parallel volumetric changes in ASD children. Results demonstrated decreased homotopic rsFC in ASD children in the medial prefrontal cortex, precuneus and posterior cingulate cortex of the default mode network (DMN), the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex of the salience network, the precentral gyrus and inferior parietal lobule of the mirror neuron system, the lingual, fusiform and inferior occipital gyri of the visual processing network and thalamus. Symptom severity was associated with homotopic rsFC in regions in the DMN and visual processing network. There were no significant CC volume changes in ASD children. The present study shows that reduced homotopic interhemispheric rsFC in brain networks in ASD adults/adolescents is already present in children of 5-10 years old and further supports their potential use as a general ASD biomarker.

scholarly journals Genome-wide prediction and functional characterization of the genetic basis of autism spectrum disorder

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 1454-1462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arjun Krishnan ◽  
Ran Zhang ◽  
Victoria Yao ◽  
Chandra L Theesfeld ◽  
Aaron K Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Genome Wide
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