Differential neural correlates underlying mental rotation processes in two distinct cognitive profiles in autism

Thérien, Véronique D; Degré-Pelletier, Janie; Barbeau, Elise B.; Samson, Fabienne; Soulières, Isabelle

doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103221

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 143 publications

(220 reference statements)

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“…2013 ; Simard et al. 2015 ; Thérien et al. 2022 , 2023 ) and reinforce the notion that connectivity models do not apply universally, especially for domains of cognitive strengths where fronto-posterior long-range overconnectivity is observed.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

Differential neural correlates underlying visuospatial versus semantic reasoning in autistic children

Degré-Pelletier,

Danis,

Thérien

et al. 2024

Cerebral Cortex

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While fronto-posterior underconnectivity has often been reported in autism, it was shown that different contexts may modulate between-group differences in functional connectivity. Here, we assessed how different task paradigms modulate functional connectivity differences in a young autistic sample relative to typically developing children. Twenty-three autistic and 23 typically developing children aged 6 to 15 years underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning while completing a reasoning task with visuospatial versus semantic content. We observed distinct connectivity patterns in autistic versus typical children as a function of task type (visuospatial vs. semantic) and problem complexity (visual matching vs. reasoning), despite similar performance. For semantic reasoning problems, there was no significant between-group differences in connectivity. However, during visuospatial reasoning problems, we observed occipital–occipital, occipital–temporal, and occipital–frontal over-connectivity in autistic children relative to typical children. Also, increasing the complexity of visuospatial problems resulted in increased functional connectivity between occipital, posterior (temporal), and anterior (frontal) brain regions in autistic participants, more so than in typical children. Our results add to several studies now demonstrating that the connectivity alterations in autistic relative to neurotypical individuals are much more complex than previously thought and depend on both task type and task complexity and their respective underlying cognitive processes.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

Differential neural correlates underlying visuospatial versus semantic reasoning in autistic children

Degré-Pelletier,

Danis,

Thérien

et al. 2024

Cerebral Cortex

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“…The Frontal Superior Orbital region, which showed pronounced linear dynamic differences in our study, has been linked to executive function and behavior regulation, both of which can be atypical in autism [25]. Additionally, the Supramarginal and Angular gyri, associated with language and cognitive functions, may also contribute to the communication difficulties experienced by individuals with autism [26], [27]. Furthermore, structural and functional abnormalities in the Fusiform gyrus, often referred to as the 'face area', have been correlated with challenges in face recognition and social interaction in autism [28].…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 53%

Directed fMRI-based Functional Connectivity Estimation using Physics-Informed Neural Networks

Sotero,

Sanchez-Bornot

2024

Preprint

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Estimating directed functional connectivity (dFC) within the brain is crucial for comprehending neural interactions. However, conventional methodologies encounter constraints in accuracy, scalability, and interpretation. The method presented here harnesses Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) to amalgamate the governing physical principles of brain dynamics, thereby improving dFC estimation from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) data. In particular, during the training phase, we derive the input weights from a long-short term memory (LSTM) network, which, within our framework, represent the influence of all other brain areas on the specific region under consideration. These input weights are then integrated into the nonlinear differential equation that models the rsfMRI time series within the specific brain area. Through the training of the PINN model, we simultaneously estimate, for each brain area, the biophysical parameters of the model, including the dFC parameters from all the remaining areas. We applied this methodology to both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and neurotypical data, revealing significant sex-specific differences in connectivity patterns. These findings underscore the potential of PINNs in advancing our understanding of neural dynamics and emphasize the significance of directionality in brain connectivity research.

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“…We further confirmed ( Figure 2 ) differential group deficits in manual dexterity in patients with ASD ( 13 ). More specifically, weaker performance in Finger Recognition is consistent with slower and less accurate mental rotation in SCZ ( 72 , 73 ) and FEP ( 74 ), but not in ASD ( 75 , 76 ). In Rhythm Tapping, only FEP patients were impaired, in contrast to deficient temporal perception shown in SCZ and ASD ( 77 , 78 ), a discrepancy likely due to task differences.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

A tablet-based quantitative assessment of manual dexterity for detection of early psychosis

Le Boterff,

Rabah,

Carment

et al. 2023

Front. Psychiatry

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BackgroundWe performed a pilot study on whether tablet-based measures of manual dexterity can provide behavioral markers for detection of first-episode psychosis (FEP), and whether cortical excitability/inhibition was altered in FEP.MethodsBehavioral and neurophysiological testing was undertaken in persons diagnosed with FEP (N = 20), schizophrenia (SCZ, N = 20), autism spectrum disorder (ASD, N = 20), and in healthy control subjects (N = 20). Five tablet tasks assessed different motor and cognitive functions: Finger Recognition for effector (finger) selection and mental rotation, Rhythm Tapping for temporal control, Sequence Tapping for control/memorization of motor sequences, Multi Finger Tapping for finger individuation, and Line Tracking for visuomotor control. Discrimination of FEP (from other groups) based on tablet-based measures was compared to discrimination through clinical neurological soft signs (NSS). Cortical excitability/inhibition, and cerebellar brain inhibition were assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation.ResultsCompared to controls, FEP patients showed slower reaction times and higher errors in Finger Recognition, and more variability in Rhythm Tapping. Variability in Rhythm Tapping showed highest specificity for the identification of FEP patients compared to all other groups (FEP vs. ASD/SCZ/Controls; 75% sensitivity, 90% specificity, AUC = 0.83) compared to clinical NSS (95% sensitivity, 22% specificity, AUC = 0.49). Random Forest analysis confirmed FEP discrimination vs. other groups based on dexterity variables (100% sensitivity, 85% specificity, balanced accuracy = 92%). The FEP group had reduced short-latency intra-cortical inhibition (but similar excitability) compared to controls, SCZ, and ASD. Cerebellar inhibition showed a non-significant tendency to be weaker in FEP.ConclusionFEP patients show a distinctive pattern of dexterity impairments and weaker cortical inhibition. Easy-to-use tablet-based measures of manual dexterity capture neurological deficits in FEP and are promising markers for detection of FEP in clinical practice.

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Differential neural correlates underlying mental rotation processes in two distinct cognitive profiles in autism

Cited by 6 publications

References 143 publications

Differential neural correlates underlying visuospatial versus semantic reasoning in autistic children

Differential neural correlates underlying visuospatial versus semantic reasoning in autistic children

Directed fMRI-based Functional Connectivity Estimation using Physics-Informed Neural Networks

A tablet-based quantitative assessment of manual dexterity for detection of early psychosis

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