scholarly journals Neural Correlates of Duration Discrimination in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Their Comorbid Presentation

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve D. Lukito ◽  
Owen G. O'Daly ◽  
David J. Lythgoe ◽  
Susannah Whitwell ◽  
Amanda Debnam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Duration Discrimination ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

scholarly journals Neural correlates of shared sensory symptoms in autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Itahashi ◽  
Junya Fujino ◽  
Taku Sato ◽  
Haruhisa Ohta ◽  
Motoaki Nakamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Sensory Symptom ◽  
Brain Functional Connectivity

Abstract Symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder often co-occur. Among these, sensory impairment, which is a core diagnostic feature of autism spectrum disorder, is often observed in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. However, the underlying mechanisms of symptoms that are shared across disorders remain unknown. To examine the neural correlates of sensory symptoms that are associated with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, we analysed resting-state functional MRI data obtained from 113 people with either autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (n = 78 autism spectrum disorder, mean age = 29.5; n = 35 attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, mean age = 31.2) and 96 neurotypical controls (mean age = 30.6, range: 20–55 years) using a cross-sectional study design. First, we used a multi-dimensional approach to examine intrinsic brain functional connectivity related to sensory symptoms in four domains (i.e. low registration, sensation seeking, sensory sensitivity and sensation avoidance), after controlling for age, handedness and head motion. Then, we used a partial least squares correlation to examine the link between sensory symptoms related to intrinsic brain functional connectivity and neurodevelopmental symptoms measured using the Autism Spectrum Quotient and Conners’ Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale, regardless of diagnosis. To test whether observed associations were specific to sensory symptoms related to intrinsic brain functional connectivity, we conducted a control analysis using a bootstrap framework. The results indicated that transdiagnostic yet distinct intrinsic brain functional connectivity neural bases varied according to the domain of the examined sensory symptom. Partial least squares correlation analysis revealed two latent components (latent component 1: q < 0.001 and latent component 2: q < 0.001). For latent component 1, a set of intrinsic brain functional connectivity was predominantly associated with neurodevelopmental symptom-related composite score (r = 0.64, P < 0.001), which was significantly correlated with Conners’ Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale total T scores (r = −0.99, q < 0.001). For latent component 2, another set of intrinsic brain functional connectivity was positively associated with neurodevelopmental symptom-related composite score (r = 0.58, P < 0.001), which was eventually positively associated with Autism Spectrum Quotient total scores (r = 0.92, q < 0.001). The bootstrap analysis showed that the relationship between intrinsic brain functional connectivity and neurodevelopmental symptoms was relative to sensory symptom-related intrinsic brain functional connectivity (latent component 1: P = 0.003 and latent component 2: P < 0.001). The current results suggest that sensory symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorder and those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have shared neural correlates. The neural correlates of the sensory symptoms were associated with the severity of both autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, regardless of diagnosis.

scholarly journals Sluggish cognitive tempo: An examination of clinical correlates for adults with autism

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1373-1383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis M Brewe ◽  
Grace Lee Simmons ◽  
Nicole N Capriola-Hall ◽  
Susan W White
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Tempo

Adults with autism spectrum disorder often experience co-occurring mental health problems such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder, as well as impairments in executive function. Sluggish cognitive tempo, a cluster of behaviors including slow processing, daydreaming, and mental fogginess, has been shown to be associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder. This study was designed to assess sluggish cognitive tempo in young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Specifically, we sought to establish a preliminary estimate of clinically significant sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms and to better understand its phenomenology and associations with executive function and psychiatric symptoms in the context of autism spectrum disorder. Young adults with autism spectrum disorder ( n = 57; age 16–25 years; 84.2% male) completed a laboratory-based executive function task, and parents and participants completed measures of the participants’ sluggish cognitive tempo, attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Nearly one-third of the sample exhibited clinically impairing levels of sluggish cognitive tempo. Although sluggish cognitive tempo and attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder symptoms were significantly correlated, findings suggest the constructs are distinct. Results also suggest that increased sluggish cognitive tempo is related to executive function impairment and depression, but not anxiety symptoms. Considerations for assessment and long-term impacts of sluggish cognitive tempo for adults with autism spectrum disorder are discussed. Lay abstract Adults with autism spectrum disorder often experience a range of co-occurring mental health problems such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder, as well as difficulties with executive function. Sluggish cognitive tempo, a cluster of behaviors including slow processing, daydreaming, and mental fogginess, has been shown to be associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder, and limited research has suggested that individuals with autism spectrum disorder may experience sluggish cognitive tempo. We examined co-occurring mental health problems and executive function in 57 young adults with autism spectrum disorder, aged 16–25 years to better understand sluggish cognitive tempo in autism spectrum disorder. Parents of the young adults answered questions about their children’s sluggish cognitive tempo, attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder, depression, and anxiety symptoms, and the young adults completed tests of their executive function. Results demonstrated that nearly one-third of the sample exhibited clinically impairing levels of sluggish cognitive tempo. Although sluggish cognitive tempo and attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder symptoms were related, our findings suggest they are not the same constructs. Increased sluggish cognitive tempo is related to more difficulties with executive function and increased depression, but not anxiety symptoms. Results demonstrate that sluggish cognitive tempo may pose heightened difficulties for adults with autism spectrum disorder, making it an important construct to continue studying. Considerations for assessment and long-term impacts of sluggish cognitive tempo for adults with autism spectrum disorder are discussed.

Perceived social support in adults with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 866-877
Author(s):  
Sonia Alvarez-Fernandez ◽  
Hallie R. Brown ◽  
Yihong Zhao ◽  
Jessica A. Raithel ◽  
Somer L. Bishop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
pp. 158-176
Author(s):  
Karen Bearss ◽  
Aaron J. Kaat
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Developmental Trajectory ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adhd Symptoms ◽  
Functional Impairments ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Delayed Recognition

This chapter will review the available evidence on individuals with co-occurring diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This chapter contends that children diagnosed with both disorders (ASD+ADHD) are a subset of the ASD population that is at risk for delayed recognition of their ASD diagnosis, poor treatment response, and poorer functional outcomes compared to those with ASD without ADHD. Specifically, the chapter highlights the best estimates of the prevalence of the comorbidity, the developmental trajectory of people with co-occurring ASD and ADHD, how ADHD symptoms change across development, overlapping genetic and neurobiological risk factors, psychometrics of ADHD diagnostic instruments in an ASD population, neuropsychological and functional impairments associated with co-occurring ASD and ADHD, and the current state of evidence-based treatment for both ASD and ADHD symptoms. Finally, the chapter discusses fruitful avenues of research for improving understanding of this high-risk comorbidity so that mechanism-to-treatment pathways for ADHD in children with ASD can be better developed.

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