Measuring the Plasticity of Social Approach: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of the PEERS Intervention on EEG Asymmetry in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

This study examined whether the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS: Social skills for teenagers with developmental and autism spectrum disorders: The PEERS treatment manual, Routledge, New York, 2010a) affected neural function, via EEG asymmetry, in a randomized controlled trial of adolescents with Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and a group of typically developing adolescents. Adolescents with ASD in PEERS shifted from right-hemisphere gamma-band EEG asymmetry before PEERS to left-hemisphere EEG asymmetry after PEERS, versus a waitlist ASD group. Left-hemisphere EEG asymmetry was associated with more social contacts and knowledge, and fewer symptoms of autism. Adolescents with ASD in PEERS no longer differed from typically developing adolescents in leftdominant EEG asymmetry at post-test. These findings are discussed via the Modifier Model of Autism (Mundy et al. in Res Pract Persons Severe Disabl 32(2):124, 2007), with emphasis on remediating isolation/withdrawal in ASD.

γ-Band Abnormalities as Markers of Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…Another study reporting a decrease in resting gamma-band power examined the effect of a behavioral intervention on spectral power [42]. Eyes open resting-state gamma was measured in the EEG of 29 adolescents with autism, 28 adolescents who received a 14-week behavioral intervention, and 30 typically developing adolescents [42].…”

“…Eyes open resting-state gamma was measured in the EEG of 29 adolescents with autism, 28 adolescents who received a 14-week behavioral intervention, and 30 typically developing adolescents [42]. This study involved a randomized controlled trial of a behavioral intervention addressing friendship development in autism [43].…”

Using neuroscience as an outcome measure for behavioral interventions in Autism spectrum disorders (ASD): A review

“…Finally, a positive correlation between left-dominant asymmetry and the Social Responsiveness Scale total score (SRS; Constantino, 2005), a parent-report measure of global autism symptomology, was observed. These correlations suggest that children with ASD who evidenced more knowledge of skills taught during PEERS, more social contacts, and less autism symptoms, respectively, also had greater left-hemisphere dominance in the gamma band (Van Hecke et al, 2015). Given the relationship mentioned above between left-hemisphere dominance and higher levels of social approach and motivation, these findings provide evidence that participation in PEERS may lead to adolescents being more willing to engage with peers (as reflected both by behavioral and EEG findings).…”

“…Neural effects of behavioral intervention in autism spectrum disorders To our knowledge, there are only four published studies that explore the neural correlates of behavioral intervention designed to target core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Dawson et al, 2012;Van Hecke et al, 2015;Ventola et al, 2014;Voos et al, 2013). Ventola et al (2014) and Voos et al (2013) used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and measured brain activity both prior to and after intervention.…”

“…Ventola et al (2014) and Voos et al (2013) used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and measured brain activity both prior to and after intervention. Van Hecke et al (2015) used electrophysiology and measured spectral power both prior to and after intervention. Dawson et al (2012) used electrophysiology and measured brain activity at post-treatment only.…”