scholarly journals Autistic Traits Differently Account for Context-Based Predictions of Physical and Social Events

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Bianco ◽  
Alessandra Finisguerra ◽  
Sonia Betti ◽  
Giulia D’Argenio ◽  
Cosimo Urgesi
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Video Display ◽  
Contextual Cues ◽  
Attention Switching ◽  
Social Stimuli ◽  
Contextual Modulation ◽  
Familiarization Phase ◽  
Social Events ◽  
Healthy Participants

Autism is associated with difficulties in making predictions based on contextual cues. Here, we investigated whether the distribution of autistic traits in the general population, as measured through the Autistic Quotient (AQ), is associated with alterations of context-based predictions of social and non-social stimuli. Seventy-eight healthy participants performed a social task, requiring the prediction of the unfolding of an action as interpersonal (e.g., to give) or individual (e.g., to eat), and a non-social task, requiring the prediction of the appearance of a moving shape as a short (e.g., square) or a long (e.g., rectangle) figure. Both tasks consisted of (i) a familiarization phase, in which the association between each stimulus type and a contextual cue was manipulated with different probabilities of co-occurrence, and (ii) a testing phase, in which visual information was impoverished by early occlusion of video display, thus forcing participants to rely on previously learned context-based associations. Findings showed that the prediction of both social and non-social stimuli was facilitated when embedded in high-probability contexts. However, only the contextual modulation of non-social predictions was reduced in individuals with lower ‘Attention switching’ abilities. The results provide evidence for an association between weaker context-based expectations of non-social events and higher autistic traits.

scholarly journals The 2D : 4D Digit Ratio as a Biomarker for Autism Spectrum Disorder

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Mackus ◽  
D. de Kruijff ◽  
L. S. Otten ◽  
A. D. Kraneveld ◽  
J. Garssen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ring Finger ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Subscale Score ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Digit Ratio ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Attention Switching ◽  
Left Hand ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Attention To Detail

It has been suggested that the second (2D, index finger) to fourth (4D, ring finger) digit ratio, 2D : 4D, may be a biomarker for the risk of developing autism. The aim of the current study was to determine the usefulness of the 2D : 4D digit ratio as biomarker for autistic traits. N=401 healthy young volunteers participated in the study. For both hands, digit lengths were measured using digital Vernier calipers. In addition to demographics, the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) questionnaire was completed, comprised of five subscales, assessing “social insights and behavior,” “attention switching,” “communication,” “imagination,” and “attention to detail.” Overall, no significant correlations were observed between the AQ total score, its subscales, and the 2D : 4D digit ratio. For women, the left hand 2D : 4D digit ratio correlated significantly with the subscale score “communication” (r=-0.142; p=0.036). For men, a significant positive correlation was found between the left 2D : 4D digit ratio and the total AQ score (r=0.157; p=0.042) and AQ subscale “attention switching” (r=0.182; p=0.017). In conclusion, gender specific associations between the 2D : 4D digit ratio and specific autism traits were observed, which were stronger in men than in women. Future studies should be conducted in patients that are formally diagnosed with autism.

Temporal characteristics of torque-triggered neuronal responses in primate precentral cortex

1980 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 778-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. C. Wong ◽  
H. C. Kwan ◽  
J. T. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Sensory Stimulation ◽  
Functional Coupling ◽  
Video Display ◽  
Neuronal Responses ◽  
Wrist Flexion ◽  
Motor Tasks ◽  
Neuronal Populations ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Two Populations

Adult monkeys were trained to perform a restorative movement about the wrist following a torque disturbance. The movement was guided by visual information on a video display. Recordings were made from single neurons in the forelimb area of precentral cortex. Individual neurons were identified with respect to functional coupling to single forelimb joints by means of passive sensory stimulation and intracortical microstimulation. Neurons were classified as wrist (flexion–extension (F–E)) and nonwrist (F–E). Statistical analyses of activities of these two populations revealed that those belonging to the wrist (F–E) population exhibited a lower response variability than those belonging to the nonwrist (F–E) neurons. This was true with respect to both the sensory event (perturbation) and the motor event (restorative movement) at the wrist. The results thus provide additional evidence in support of the hypothesis that neuronal populations in precentral cortex which are somatotopically identified are preferentially utilized in voluntary motor tasks.

scholarly journals Relationship between Parental Autistic Traits and Parenting Difficulties in a Japanese Community Sample

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aya Saito
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Attention Switching ◽  
Parenting Support ◽  
Nursery Schools ◽  
Japanese Adults ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Attention To Detail

Background: Previous studies have suggested an association between higher levels of parental autistic traits and negative aspects of parenting; however, the domain of autistic traits specifically associated with parenting difficulties has not been investigated yet. Moreover, it remains to be determined whether this association exists even after controlling for children’s characteristics.Aims: This study examined the relationship between each domain of parental autistic traits and parenting difficulties after controlling for children’s characteristics in a Japanese community sample.Methods and Procedures: Surveys were administered to 1,373 Japanese adults who were parents to children in kindergartens, nursery schools, and elementary schools. Outcomes and Results: The results showed that parents with higher levels of autistic traits had more parenting difficulties. Even after controlling for children’s sex, age, and emotional/behavioral problems, paternal impaired communication and maternal poor attention switching, impaired communication, and lack of imagination related to higher parenting difficulties, while a higher maternal level of attention to detail was associated with lower difficulties in parenting. Conclusions and Implications: The findings of this study highlight the importance of focusing on parental autistic traits and providing appropriate parenting support considering these traits.

Relationship Between Autism Spectrum Disorder Characteristics and Humor Appreciation in Typically Developing Individuals

2018 ◽  
Vol 122 (6) ◽  
pp. 2282-2297
Author(s):  
Kai Nagase
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Japanese Version ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Attention Switching ◽  
Humor Appreciation ◽  
The Relationship

Extant research regarding humor appreciation in individuals with autism spectrum disorder has been equivocal. This study aims to clarify the relationship between the severity of autism spectrum disorder characteristics and humor appreciation in typically developing individuals. We hypothesized that the severity of autistic traits would have a U-shaped linear relationship with humor appreciation. Eighty typically developing undergraduates between the ages of 18 and 22 years ( Mage = 20.20; SDage = 1.08) were recruited for this study. They were asked to answer 24 statements, devised to measure humor appreciation, in response to a joke stimulus comprising 12 typically funny daily life occurrences (two statements per episode). The participants also responded to the Japanese version of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient. A significant U-shaped relationship was observed between the severity of autistic traits and appreciation of humor. A similar significant U-shaped relationship was seen between humor appreciation and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient subscales of attention switching, communication, and imagination. Humor appreciation showed no significant U-shaped relationship with the Autism-Spectrum Quotient subscales of social skills and local details. This study identified ways that autistic traits may influence how people appreciate humor. These findings are discussed in relation to cognitive processes underlying humor appreciation.

Autistic Traits in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa or Binge Eating Disorder: A Pilot Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S100-S100 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Gesi ◽  
C. Carmassi ◽  
M. Luciano ◽  
L. Bossini ◽  
V. Ricca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Bulimia Nervosa ◽  
Binge Eating ◽  
Binge Eating Disorder ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Attention Switching ◽  
Feeding And Eating Disorders

IntroductionPrevious data showed higher autistic traits in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to healthy controls (CTL). It is not known, however, whether this characteristic is shared by other feeding and eating disorders (FEDs) or it is uniquely associated to AN.ObjectivesTo compare autistic traits among individuals with AN, bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED) and CTL and to investigate which specific dimensions differentiate one group from another.MethodsA total of 241 FED patients (53 AN, 41 BN, 42 BED) and 105 CTL were administered the autism-spectrum quotient (AQ), the adult autism subthreshold spectrum (AdAS Spectrum), the Ritvo autism and Asperger diagnostic scale 14-item (RAADS-14 Screen).ResultsFED subjects reported higher AQ, AdAS spectrum and RAADS-14 total and subscales scores compared to CTL (all P < .001). No differences were found amongst AN, BN and BED subjects in questionnaires’ total scores. BN group scored higher than AN in the hyper-/hyporeactivity to sensory input domain of the AdAS spectrum (P < .001); AN group scored higher than BED in the attention switching domain of the AQ (P < .001), and BED group scored lower than both AN and BN in the mentalizing deficit domain of the RAADS-14 (all P < .001).ConclusionsWe reported for the first time that not only AN but also BN and BED patients show greater autistic traits compared to CTL. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this preliminary report and to elucidate whether autistic traits either precede, co-occur or follow FEDs.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Keeping in time with social and non-social stimuli: Synchronisation with auditory, visual, and audio-visual cues

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliane J. Honisch ◽  
Prasannajeet Mane ◽  
Ofer Golan ◽  
Bhismadev Chakrabarti
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cues ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Verbal Response ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Social Stimuli ◽  
The Impact

AbstractEveryday social interactions require us to closely monitor, predict, and synchronise our movements with those of an interacting partner. Experimental studies of social synchrony typically examine the social-cognitive outcomes associated with synchrony, such as affiliation. On the other hand, research on the sensorimotor aspects of synchronisation generally uses non-social stimuli (e.g. a moving dot). To date, the differences in sensorimotor aspects of synchronisation to social compared to non-social stimuli remain largely unknown. The present study aims to address this gap using a verbal response paradigm where participants were asked to synchronise a ‘ba’ response in time with social and non-social stimuli, which were presented auditorily, visually, or audio-visually combined. For social stimuli a video/audio recording of an actor performing the same verbal ‘ba’ response was presented, whereas for non-social stimuli a moving dot, an auditory metronome or both combined were presented. The impact of autistic traits on participants’ synchronisation performance was examined using the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Our results revealed more accurate synchronisation for social compared to non-social stimuli, suggesting that greater familiarity with and motivation in attending to social stimuli may enhance our ability to better predict and synchronise with them. Individuals with fewer autistic traits demonstrated greater social learning, as indexed through an improvement in synchronisation performance to social vs non-social stimuli across the experiment.

The face-specific proportion congruency effect: social stimuli as contextual cues

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 537-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Jiménez-Moya ◽  
Rosa Rodríguez-Bailón ◽  
Juan Lupiáñez
Keyword(s):  
Congruency Effect ◽  
Contextual Cues ◽  
Social Stimuli ◽  
The Face

scholarly journals Identifying phenotypic and physiological subgroups of preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Tessel Bazelmans ◽  
Emily J. H. Jones ◽  
Sheila Ghods ◽  
Sarah Corrigan ◽  
Karen Toth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Stimuli ◽  
Social Competencies ◽  
Cascading Effects ◽  
Dynamic Stimuli ◽  
Children With Asd

Abstract Background To understand the emergence of symptoms in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we need to identify the mechanisms that underpin the development of core social skills. Mounting evidence indicates that young children with later ASD attend less to other people, which could compromise learning opportunities with cascading effects. Passive looking behaviour does not tell us about engagement with visual information, but measures of physiological arousal can provide information on the depth of engagement. In the current study, we use heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) to measure engagement with social dynamic stimuli in ASD. Methods Sixty-seven preschoolers with ASD and 65 typical developing preschoolers between 2 and 4 years of age participated in a study where HR was measured during viewing of social and non-social videos. Using latent profile analyses, more homogeneous subgroups of children were created based on phenotype and physiology. Results Preschool-aged children with ASD, regardless of their non-verbal, verbal and social competencies, do not differ in overall HR or HRV compared to TD children. However, the ASD group showed a larger increase in HR (more disengagement) than the TD group to later-presented social stimuli. Phenotypic and physiological profiles showed this was primarily the case for children with below average verbal and non-verbal skills, but not necessarily those with more ASD symptoms. Conclusion Children with ASD, especially a subgroup showing moderate cognitive delays, show an increase in HR to social stimuli over time; this may reflect difficulties re-engaging with social information when attention is waning.

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