Neuroimaging Techniques as Descriptive and Diagnostic Tools for Infants at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Ayoub, Maria J.; Keegan, Laura; Tager–Flusberg, Helen; Gill, Simone V.

doi:10.3390/brainsci12050602

Cited by 16 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 67 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Individuals with autism often exhibit atypical perceptual and neural processing of emotional information, including emotional prosodic voices (Kuhl et al, 2005;Lindström et al, 2018;Van Lancker et al, 1989;Wang et al, 2007; for comprehensive reviews, see Frühholz & Staib, 2017;Yeung, 2022). While previous studies have indicated that social-emotional behavioral indicators typically begin to demonstrate predictive power for autism from the second year of life (Gliga et al, 2014;Jones et al, 2014), brain functional indicators of emotional processing during infancy, especially within the first year of life, have already shown their predictive value (Ayoub et al, 2022;Clairmont et al, 2021;Molnar-Szakacs et al, 2021). For instance, infants subsequently diagnosed with autism displayed a smaller amplitude and shorter duration of the negative central (Nc) component at six months of age when viewing smiling faces compared to toys, a pattern not observed in infants who were subsequently undiagnosed (Jones et al, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neonatal sensitivity to vocal emotions: A developmental change at 37 weeks of gestational age

Hou,

Zhang,

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Emotional responsiveness in neonates, particularly their ability to discern vocal emotions, plays an evolutionarily adaptive role in human communication and adaptive behaviors. The developmental trajectory of emotional sensitivity in neonates is a crucial area of inquiry for understanding the foundations of early social-emotional functioning. However, the precise onset of this sensitivity in neonates and its relationship with gestational age (GA) remain subjects of investigation. In a study involving 120 healthy neonates categorized into six groups based on their GA (ranging from 35 and 40 weeks), we delved into their emotional responses to vocal stimuli. These stimuli encompassed disyllables with happy and neutral prosodies, alongside acoustically matched nonvocal control sounds. The assessments occurred during natural sleep states in neonates, utilizing the odd-ball paradigm and event-related potentials. The results unveil a distinct developmental milestone at 37 weeks GA, marking the point at which neonates exhibit heightened perceptual acuity for emotional vocal expressions. This newfound ability is substantiated by the presence of the mismatch response, akin to an initial form of adult mismatch negativity, elicited in response to positive emotional vocal prosody. Notably, this perceptual shift's specificity becomes evident when no such discrimination is observed in acoustically matched control sounds. Neonates born before 37 weeks GA do not display this level of discrimination ability. This critical developmental milestone carries significant implications for our understanding of early social-emotional development, shedding light on the role of gestational age in shaping early perceptual abilities. Moreover, it introduces the potential for a valuable screening tool in the context of autism, which is characterized by atypical social-emotional functions. This study makes a substantial contribution to the broader field of developmental neuroscience and holds promise for early intervention in neurodevelopmental disorders.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neonatal sensitivity to vocal emotions: A developmental change at 37 weeks of gestational age

Hou,

Zhang,

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the present study, we investigated the predictive value of brain morphology in TD for the continuous distribution of autistic traits. Brain imaging has often been applied in ASD to describe functioning and to identify potential risk markers (e.g., [ 41 , 42 ]). We found that autistic traits correspond to subtle autism-related alterations in brain morphology in typically developing individuals, as well as lying on a continuum in the general adolescent population, even at levels below a clinically revenant cut-off.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global and Regional Structural Differences and Prediction of Autistic Traits during Adolescence

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Autistic traits are commonly viewed as dimensional in nature, and as continuously distributed in the general population. In this respect, the identification of predictive values of markers such as subtle autism-related alterations in brain morphology for parameter values of autistic traits could increase our understanding of this dimensional occasion. However, currently, very little is known about how these traits correspond to alterations in brain morphology in typically developing individuals, particularly during a time period where changes due to brain development processes do not provide a bias. Therefore, in the present study, we analyzed brain volume, cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA) in a cohort of 14–15-year-old adolescents (N = 285, female: N = 162) and tested their predictive value for autistic traits, assessed with the social responsiveness scale (SRS) two years later at the age of 16–17 years, using a regression-based approach. We found that autistic traits were significantly predicted by volumetric changes in the amygdala (r = 0.181), cerebellum (r = 0.128) and hippocampus (r = −0.181, r = −0.203), both in boys and girls. Moreover, the CT of the superior frontal region was negatively correlated (r = −0.144) with SRS scores. Furthermore, we observed a significant association between the SRS total score and smaller left putamen volume, specifically in boys (r = −0.217), but not in girls. Our findings suggest that neural correlates of autistic traits also seem to lie on a continuum in the general population, are determined by limbic–striatal neuroanatomical brain areas, and are partly dependent on sex. As we imaged adolescents from a large population-based cohort within a small age range, these data may help to increase the understanding of autistic-like occasions in otherwise typically developing individuals.

show abstract

“…At least four ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) have been linked with the likelihood, in the AUC (Area Under the Curve) values of ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curves, of developing autism, particularly if involving the regulatory genes RORA (Related Orphan Receptor A), FAF1 (Fas-associated Factor 1), the microRNA gene miR-4703-3p, NFYB (Nuclear Transcription Factor Y Subunit Beta) and the microRNA miR-6073 ( 74 ). Nevertheless, genetics is not so routinely available, whereas neuroimaging might be much more affordable and available ( 75 ) and early motor signs ( 76 ).…”

Section: Oral Health Prevention In the Autistic Subject As Early As P...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights on dental care management and prevention in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). What is new?

Zerman

Zotti²,

Chirumbolo³

et al. 2022

Front. Oral. Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Autistic subjects represent a severe concern to dentistry due to the considerable difficulty in managing their oral health, maintaining routine toothbrushing, and preventing dental and periodontal problems. The social and economic burden of managing dental care in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children is particularly cumbersome for families and public and private health expenditure, especially when children reach the dentist following a late diagnosis with evident oral health problems. An early diagnosis of ASD helps dentists better address these children's oral health. Unfortunately, insufficient attention is paid to the training and education of general pediatricians, dentists, and dental hygienists, allowing them to get to approach the different clinical aspects of ASD. Usually, children diagnosed with ASD are scheduled for dental appointments like their neurotypical peers, whereas their needs are typically complex and personalized. Scant attention is also devoted to these patients by commercial manufacturers of dental products and devices for oral hygiene and prevention of caries and periodontal diseases, leaving parents without the support and often failing when they address the oral health of autistic children. The difficulties of oral care do not derive simply from the behavior of ASD patients, as is commonly assumed, and therefore cannot be overcome solely by the patience and attention of parents and dentists. Genetics, dietary habits, sensory impairments, and cognition disorders are other causes contributing in various degrees to the impact on the mood and psychological reactions of autistic children towards dentists. How can we prevent teeth caries, periodontal disorders, and other oral health impairments by properly managing ASD children? This manuscript gives an up-to-date overview of these problems and helps to provide good remarks.

show abstract

Neuroimaging Techniques as Descriptive and Diagnostic Tools for Infants at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Cited by 16 publications

References 67 publications

Neonatal sensitivity to vocal emotions: A developmental change at 37 weeks of gestational age

Neonatal sensitivity to vocal emotions: A developmental change at 37 weeks of gestational age

Global and Regional Structural Differences and Prediction of Autistic Traits during Adolescence

Insights on dental care management and prevention in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). What is new?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About