Enhanced and impaired sensory discrimination in autism

Dickinson, Abigail; Milne, Elizabeth

doi:10.1152/jn.00288.2014

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…In our own findings, we do see that reduced sensorimotor GABA levels predicting altered tactile function in one task (the effect of sub‐threshold stimulation), but that, similar to Robertson et al, [Robertson et al, ] correlative brain‐behavior correlations that are seen in TDC may be absent in ASD. It is important to note that behavioral performance in ASD is not always reduced [Dickinson & Milne, ; Puts, Wodka, Tommerdahl, Mostofsky, & Edden, ] and that all behaviors arise from the complex interaction of multiple neurotransmitter systems across broad networks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reduced GABA and altered somatosensory function in children with autism spectrum disorder

et al. 2016

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Background Abnormal responses to tactile stimuli are a common feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Several lines of evidence suggest that GABAergic function, which has a crucial role in tactile processing, is altered in ASD. In this study, we determine whether in vivo GABA levels are altered in children with ASD, and whether alterations in GABA levels are associated with abnormal tactile function in these children. Methods GABA-edited MRS was acquired in 37 children with Autism and 35 Typically Developing Children from voxels over primary sensorimotor and occipital cortices. Children performed tactile tasks previously shown to be altered in ASD, linked to inhibitory mechanisms. Detection threshold was measured with- and without the presence of a slowly increasing sub-threshold stimulus. Amplitude discrimination was measured with- and without the presence of an adapting stimulus, and frequency discrimination was measured. Results Sensorimotor GABA levels were significantly reduced in children with autism compared to healthy controls. Occipital GABA levels were normal. Sensorimotor GABA levels correlated with dynamic detection threshold as well as with the effect of sub-threshold stimulation. Sensorimotor GABA levels also correlated with amplitude discrimination after adaptation (an effect absent in autism) and frequency discrimination in controls, but not in children with autism. Conclusions GABA levels correlate with behavioral measures of inhibition. Children with autism have reduced GABA, associated with abnormalities in tactile performance. We show here that altered in vivo GABA levels might predict abnormal tactile information processing in ASD and that the GABA system may be a future target for therapies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reduced GABA and altered somatosensory function in children with autism spectrum disorder

et al. 2016

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“…Clearly, the theory of reduced neural inhibition is incompatible with evidence of superior perceptual discrimination in ASC (c.f. Dickinson & Milne, ). A small number of studies have attempted to measure inhibition in ASC directly by using MRS to measure levels of resting state GABA (Harada et al ., ; Gaetz et al ., ; Rojas et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased peak gamma frequency in individuals with higher levels of autistic traits

Dickinson

Bruyns‐Haylett

Jones

et al. 2015

Eur J of Neuroscience

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Individual differences in orientation discrimination threshold are related to both visually‐induced peak gamma frequency and the presence of autistic traits. The relationship between peak gamma frequency and orientation discrimination thresholds may be due to both of these factors being mediated by levels of neural inhibition. No study has previously measured the relationship between peak gamma frequency and levels of autistic traits. Thus, this was the aim of the present study. We measured orientation discrimination thresholds and autistic traits in a neurotypical human sample (N = 33), and separately recorded electroencephalography to measure visually induced gamma activity. In line with our prediction, we found a significant relationship between peak gamma frequency and level of autistic traits. Consistent with previous work we also found significant relationships between orientation discrimination thresholds and level of autistic traits and between orientation discrimination thresholds and peak gamma frequency. Our results demonstrate that individuals with individuals with higher levels of autistic personality traits have a higher peak‐gamma frequency and are better at discriminating between visual stimuli based on orientation. As both higher peak gamma frequency and lower orientation discrimination thresholds have been linked to higher levels of neural inhibition, this suggests that autistic traits co‐occur with increased neural inhibition. This discovery is significant as it challenges the currently‐held view that autism spectrum conditions are associated with increased neural excitation.

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L’ergothérapie et l'enfant avec autisme de la naissance à 6 ans

Chrétien-Vincent¹

2001

L’ergothérapie Et l'Enfant Avec Autisme De La Naissance À 6 Ans

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Enhanced and impaired sensory discrimination in autism

Cited by 3 publications

References 8 publications

Reduced GABA and altered somatosensory function in children with autism spectrum disorder

Reduced GABA and altered somatosensory function in children with autism spectrum disorder

Increased peak gamma frequency in individuals with higher levels of autistic traits

L’ergothérapie et l'enfant avec autisme de la naissance à 6 ans

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