Neural systems for speech and song in autism

Abstract

Despite language disabilities in autism, music abilities are frequently preserved. Paradoxically, brain regions associated with these functions typically overlap, enabling investigation of neural organization supporting speech and song in autism. Neural systems sensitive to speech and song were compared in low-functioning autistic and age-matched control children using passive auditory stimulation during functional magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor imaging. Activation in left inferior frontal gyrus was reduced in autistic children relative to controls during speech stimulation, but was greater than controls during song stimulation. Functional connectivity for song relative to speech was also increased between left inferior frontal gyrus and superior temporal gyrus in autism, and large-scale connectivity showed increased frontal–posterior connections. Although fractional anisotropy of the left arcuate fasciculus was decreased in autistic children relative to controls, structural terminations of the arcuate fasciculus in inferior frontal gyrus were indistinguishable between autistic and control groups. Fractional anisotropy correlated with activity in left inferior frontal gyrus for both speech and song conditions. Together, these findings indicate that in autism, functional systems that process speech and song were more effectively engaged for song than for speech and projections of structural pathways associated with these functions were not distinguishable from controls.

Right Temporoparietal Gray Matter Predicts Accuracy of Social Perception in the Autism Spectrum

“…Most of the regions in which we found gray matter reductions have consistently been implicated in socio-emotional processing and communication abilities that are deficient in ASD, such as (i) theory of mind (Di Martino et al 2009;Van Overwalle, 2009;Sugranyes et al 2011), (ii) mirror neuron functioning and language (Lai et al 2012;Molenberghs et al 2012), and (iii) limbic system functions (Sugranyes et al 2011). However, some of the aforementioned regions have also been associated with functions other than social ones.…”

The Effect of Movement Activities in Synchronization With Music on Motor Proficiency of Children With Autism

“…Some basic disabilities may lead to incoordination and deficits in motor planning which eventually affects their motor skills negatively. Considering the fact that the regular and rhythmic behavior in cerebellar dysfunction remains normal [25] with the higher interest and musical perception in ASD children in comparison to normal peers [41][42][43], we can suggest that motor activities synchronized with music can be an affective therapeutic strategy in ASD motor rehabilitation. In our previous records the cognitive skills of people with schizophrenia improved by music interventions [44][45][46].…”

Involvement of Neuroinflammation during Brain Development in Social Cognitive Deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Schizophrenia

“…There are neuronal connections between the STS/STG and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) that integrate social cognitive information (Takahashi et al, 2007;Levy and Wagner, 2011;Lai et al, 2012). Underconnectivity between the temporal cortex and VLPFC occurs in adult ASD (Sato et al, 2012).…”

“…Underconnectivity between the temporal cortex and VLPFC occurs in adult ASD (Sato et al, 2012). In addition, VLPFC activity is significantly reduced in schoolchildren and adolescents with ASD relative to controls during speech stimulation (Lai et al, 2012). Accordingly, it is presumable that in daily life of ASD children, cerebellar and thalamic hyperactivation induces dysfunction of the STS/STG and VLPFC, leading to a failure to integrate verbal information, which probably persists in adulthood.…”