Sensory abnormalities in children with autism spectrum disorder

Posar, Annio; Visconti, Paola

doi:10.1016/j.jped.2017.08.008

Cited by 77 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…In agreement with the present study, came a study by Posar and Visconti [15] who found three main sensory patterns in children with ASD namely hyporesponsiveness, hyper-responsiveness, and sensory seeking.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

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Study of sensory processing deficits in autism spectrum disorder symptom triad: an Egyptian sample

Reda

Meguid

Eid

et al. 2021

Middle East Curr Psychiatry

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Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders. In DSM-IV, the diagnostic criteria of autism consisted of three domains: impairment in social interaction, communication deficits, and stereotypic behavior, while in DSM-5 they were condensed into two domains: social communication deficits and restricted patterns of behavior to which sensory processing deficits (SPD) were added, manifested by hypo- or hyper-reactivity to sensory stimuli or uncommon interests in sensory aspects of the surrounding environment. The purpose of this study is to determine the relation between SPD and the symptom triad in ASD namely social interaction, communication deficits, and stereotypic behavior. To our knowledge, this issue was not studied before in Egyptian literature. Results There was a significant negative correlation between SPD (assessed by short sensory profile: SSP) and symptom triad in ASD. As regards social interaction, the ADI-R (A), there was significant negative correlation with the SSP total scores and all subscales except for low energy/weak and visual/auditory sensitivity, whereas under-responsive/seeks sensation held the highest negative correlation (p ˂ 0.008). As regards communication deficits, the ADI-R (B), there was significant negative correlation with the SSP total scores and the auditory filtering held the highest negative correlation (p ˂ 0.008), and as regards stereotypic behavior, the ADI-R (C), there was significant negative correlation with the SSP total scores and all subscales except for low energy/weak and visual/auditory sensitivity whereas taste/smell sensitivity and auditory filtering held the highest negative correlation (p ˂ 0.001). There was a high significant negative correlation between the severity of autistic symptoms (assessed by CARS) and the SSP total scores, and for all subscales (p ˂ 0.001) except for low energy/weak, the correlation was significant (not highly significant) (p ˂ 0.05). Finally, there was high percentage of parental consanguinity among the participants (80%). Conclusions SPD negatively affected the ASD symptom triad which highlights the importance of sensory integration therapy (SIT) as a major core of ASD treatment alongside the other treatment modalities. Early ASD screening is mandatory in families with parental consanguinity.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Although the presence of SPD may pass unnoticed, if it is not treated it reduces the response to treatment of other symptoms in ASD [15].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of sensory processing deficits in autism spectrum disorder symptom triad: an Egyptian sample

Reda

Meguid

Eid

et al. 2021

Middle East Curr Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…In turn, the OFC can also modulate sensory processes, especially auditory processing [ 72 , 73 ], through feedback connections. Impairment in sensory processing and evaluation, often associated with ASD [ 74 , 75 ], involves disengagement of sensory cortices and neural circuits that process social reward, in which OFC has a central role [ 76 ]. In addition, previous studies have linked under-connectivity between auditory processing circuits and OFC with insensitivity to human voice in individuals with ASD [ 18 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Imbalance of laminar-specific excitatory and inhibitory circuits of the orbitofrontal cortex in autism

Bautista

Liu

et al. 2020

Molecular Autism

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Background The human orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is involved in assessing the emotional significance of events and stimuli, emotion-based learning, allocation of attentional resources, and social cognition. Little is known about the structure, connectivity and excitatory/inhibitory circuit interactions underlying these diverse functions in human OFC, as well as how the circuit is disrupted in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods We used post-mortem brain tissue from neurotypical adults and individuals with ASD. We examined the morphology and distribution of myelinated axons across cortical layers in OFC, at the single axon level, as a proxy of excitatory pathways. In the same regions, we also examined the laminar distribution of all neurons and neurochemically- and functionally-distinct inhibitory neurons that express the calcium-binding proteins parvalbumin (PV), calbindin (CB), and calretinin (CR). Results We found that the density of myelinated axons increased consistently towards layer 6, while the average axon diameter did not change significantly across layers in both groups. However, both the density and diameter of myelinated axons were significantly lower in the ASD group compared with the Control group. The distribution pattern and density of the three major types of inhibitory neurons was comparable between groups, but there was a significant reduction in the density of excitatory neurons across OFC layers in ASD. Limitations This study is limited by the availability of human post-mortem tissue optimally processed for high-resolution microscopy and immunolabeling, especially from individuals with ASD. Conclusions The balance between excitation and inhibition in OFC is at the core of its function, assessing and integrating emotional and social cues with internal states and external inputs. Our preliminary results provide evidence for laminar-specific changes in the ratio of excitation/inhibition in OFC of adults with ASD, with an overall weakening and likely disorganization of excitatory signals and a relative strengthening of local inhibition. These changes likely underlie pathology of major OFC communications with limbic or other cortices and the amygdala in individuals with ASD, and may provide the anatomic basis for disrupted transmission of signals for social interactions and emotions in autism.

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“…The spectrum encompasses different manifestation of this disorder, having different levels of disabilities and a wide range of skills and symptoms. Importantly, ASD individuals are characterized not only by the typically described social withdrawal and isolation (Frith, 2003), but also by the presence of sensory abnormalities (Posar and Visconti, 2018), difficulties in mentalizing processes (Frith and Frith, 2003) and executive dysfunction (Hill, 2004). Many treatments have been proposed, including behavioral, educational, and medical interventions mainly directed toward comorbid symptoms; however, there is no consensus regarding which approach is the most effective.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for the Rehabilitation of Children and Adolescents With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review

2019

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In the last years, there has been a growing interest in the application of different non-invasive brain stimulation techniques to induce neuroplasticity and to modulate cognition and behavior in adults. Very recently, different attempts have been made to induce functional plastic changes also in pediatric populations. Importantly, not only sensorimotor processing, but also higher-level functions have been addressed, with the aim to boost rehabilitation in different neurodevelopmental disorders. However, efficacy and safety of using these techniques in pediatric population is still debated. The current article aims to review the non-invasive brain stimulation studies conducted in pediatric populations using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or transcranial Direct Current Stimulation. Specifically, the available proofs concerning the efficacy and safety of these techniques on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, and tic disorders are systematically reviewed and discussed. The article also aims to provide an overview about other possible applications of these and other stimulation techniques for rehabilitative purposes in children and adolescents.

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Sensory abnormalities in children with autism spectrum disorder

Cited by 77 publications

References 27 publications

Study of sensory processing deficits in autism spectrum disorder symptom triad: an Egyptian sample

Study of sensory processing deficits in autism spectrum disorder symptom triad: an Egyptian sample

Imbalance of laminar-specific excitatory and inhibitory circuits of the orbitofrontal cortex in autism

Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for the Rehabilitation of Children and Adolescents With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review

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