Auditory Brainstem Response Abnormalities in Autistic Children

Abstract

SUMMARY:In an attempt to clarify issues of brainstem dysfunction and hearing thresholds in autistic children, we studied the Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABRs) in 32 children who clearly fit within the criteria of autism established by the National Society for Autistic Children (1977). ABRs were recorded between Cz and ipsilateral ear in response to click stimuli. Interwave latencies and auditory threshold in each ear were determined. Of the 32 children, 11 had moderate hearing loss (8 bilaterally) and 3 had severe to profound hearing loss, all bilaterally. 8 of the 14 with hearing loss also had associated features (e.g., perinatal encephalopathy). The I-III andI-Vinterwave latencies were significantly longer in the autistic children compared to normal control children; the increased conduction times were found mainly in the early portion of the auditory brainstem pathway. These data confirm some earlier reports of ABR abnormalities in autistic children and are concordant with some theories of the etiological basis of autism. The high incidence of hearing loss in these children is significant and routine ABR testing is recommended.

Abnormal brainstem auditory response in young females with ADHD

“…These results support previous findings of aberrant ABR waveforms in neurodevelopmental disorders (Hitoglou et al, 2010;Kwon et al, 2007;Källstrand et al, 2010;Maziade et al, 2000;Taylor et al, 1982;Wong and Wong, 1991).…”

“…Several studies have shown that ABR is often affected in ASD (Hitoglou et al, 2010;Källstrand et al, 2010;Kwon et al, 2007;Maziade et al, 2000;Taylor et al, 1982;Wong and Wong, 1991). In studies involving ASD ( Källstrand et al, 2010), it was found that under forward masking conditions wave III amplitudes were significally lower in the ASD group compared to the control group.…”

Audiometric Profiles in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Does Subclinical Hearing Loss Impact Communication?

“…Reported rates of hearing impairment in individuals with ASD have ranged from 0-100% (Gillberg, Rosenhall, & Johansson, 1983; Grillon, Courchesne, & Akshoomoff, 1989; Kielinen et al, 2004; Rosenblum et al, 1980; Rosenhall et al, 1999; Taylor, Rosenblatt, & Linschoten, 1892); although studies are not immediately comparable due to differences in sample criteria and definitions of hearing impairment. Klin (1993) has suggested that the etiological contribution of peripheral auditory dysfunction in ASD is too often dismissed because there are qualitative differences in social functioning and communication in individuals with an ASD versus those with hearing impairment in the absence of an ASD.…”

Auditory Characteristics of Children with Autism

“…Attempts have been made to examine whether a relationship exists between auditory brain stem dysfunction and autism (Courchesne, Akshoomoff, & Townsend, 1992;Courchesne, Courchesne, Hicks, & Lincoln, 1985;Fein, Skoff, & Mirsky, 1981;Gillberg, Rosenhall, & Johansson, 1983;Klin, 1993;McClelland, Eyre, Watson, Calvert, & Sherrod, 1992;Rosenblum, Arick, Krug, Stubbs, Young, & Pelson, 1980;Rosenhall, Nordin, Brantberg, & Gillberg, 2003;Rumsey, Grimes, Pikus, Duara, & Ismond, 1984;Sohmer & Student, 1978;Tanguay, Edwards, Buchwald, Schwafel, & Allen, 1982;Taylor, Rosenblatt, & Linschoten;Wong & Wong, 1991). Although several of these studies have reported delayed conduction times in the auditory brain stem evoked potentials (ABRs) of children with autism (Fein et al, 1981;Gillberg et al, 1983;McClelland et al, 1992;Rosenblum et al, 1980;Rosenhall, Nordin, Brantberg, & Gillberg, 2003;Sohmer & Student, 1978;Taylor et al, 1982;Wong & Wong, 1991), other investigators have not identified such distinctions between experimental and control groups (Courchesne et al, 1985;Rumsey et al, 1984).…”

“…Although several of these studies have reported delayed conduction times in the auditory brain stem evoked potentials (ABRs) of children with autism (Fein et al, 1981;Gillberg et al, 1983;McClelland et al, 1992;Rosenblum et al, 1980;Rosenhall, Nordin, Brantberg, & Gillberg, 2003;Sohmer & Student, 1978;Taylor et al, 1982;Wong & Wong, 1991), other investigators have not identified such distinctions between experimental and control groups (Courchesne et al, 1985;Rumsey et al, 1984). Two studies (Rumsey et al, 1984;Tanguay et al, 1982) have even found shortened conduction times in children with autism.…”