Developmental differences in neural connectivity for semantic processing in youths with autism

Abstract

Background: Youths with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rely more on lower-level visual processing as revealed by greater occipital activation, yet less effectively engage higher-level processing of modality-independent semantic knowledge as indicated by reduced frontal activation, compared to typically developing (TD) youths. However, little is known about age-dependent differences in neural connectivity during semantic processing in youths with ASD as compared to TD youths. Methods: Four groups were recruited: 31 ASD children (mean age = 10.5 years old), 33 TD children (mean age = 10.4), 30 ASD adolescents (mean age = 14.9), and 34 TD adolescents (mean age = 15.1). We explored their differences in neural connectivity by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with psychophysiological interaction (PPI) during semantic judgments. Results: In comparison with TD children, children with ASD showed greater activation in the left cuneus and weaker connectivity between the left cuneus and left middle temporal gyrus (MTG). In comparison with TD adolescents, adolescents with ASD showed less activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and weaker functional connectivity between the left IFG and left MTG. Conclusions: Children with ASD may rely more on visual processes in the occipital cortex that are disconnected from modality-independent semantics in the temporal cortex. However, adolescents with ASD may less effectively engage frontal mechanisms involved in the top-down control of modality-independent semantic knowledge in the temporal cortex. Our findings provide evidence of developmental differences in the neural substrates of the alterations in semantic processing in youths with ASD compared to TD youths.

Identification and reduction of retained primitive reflexes by sensory stimulation in autism spectrum disorder: effects on qEEG networks and cognitive functions

“…One of the most interesting features of those with ASD is the ‘unevenness‘ of cognitive abilities. It is a view held by many authors that an effective way to explain the diverse behavioural effects noted in ASD and many other neurobehavioural disorders is by understanding that a significant contribution to ASD is a functional disconnection between areas of the brain30–36 not unlike what is seen in sleep or in minimally conscious states 3 23. Functional asymmetry within widespread cortical networks could result in decreased temporal coherence in certain networks and enhanced temporal coherence in other functional networks.…”

Systematic Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis of Research Hotspots and Trends on Autism Spectrum Disorder Neuroimaging

“…A study conducted in Japan using fNIRS and a fragrance pulse injection system found that ASD participants with lower odor sensitivity presented reduced activity of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in response to odor stimuli compared to a TD control group [50]. Several studies have also demonstrated that ASD has atypical features of FA and FC when performing language judgment, facial difference recognition, and memory tasks [51][52][53]. Neuroscience research on early identification of ASD or people at high risk for ASD has been emphasized [54,55].…”

Neuro-Cognitive Differences in Semantic Processing Between Native Speakers and Proficient Learners of Mandarin Chinese

“…As most imaging studies of semantic processing in learning Chinese focus on short-term influences (review in Chung et al, 2019 ), the present study chooses to examine long-term effects on the ventral pathway (i.e., longer than 5years). The chosen learning length of 5years is based on previous imaging studies of semantic development in Chinese using cross-sectional ( Lee et al, 2015 ; Chen et al, 2016 ; Fan et al, 2020 ) and longitudinal approaches ( Lee et al, 2016 ; Chou et al, 2019 ; Fan et al, 2021 ). The long-term learning places substantial impacts on the ventral pathway.…”

“…For example, a developmental increase in brain activation has been found in the left IFG and middle/superior temporal gyrus ( Wong et al, 2019 ). In addition, dynamic interaction between brain regions, such as functional connectivity, shows developmental increases on the ventral pathway during semantic judgments ( Fan et al, 2021 ). Taken from developmental implications, it is thus important to examine long-term learning effects on the ventral pathway with semantic processing.…”

“…The regions of interest on the ventral pathway were the left IFG, middle/superior frontal gyrus (SFG), fusiform gyrus, and middle occipital gyrus. We expected to see the group differences in brain activity and functional connectivity along the ventral pathway between the L1 and L2 groups ( Fan et al, 2021 ). Furthermore, we were interested in examining the individual differences among late adult language learners ( Johnson and Newport, 1989 ; Gao et al, 2017 ; Chung et al, 2019 ).…”