Tactile Defensiveness and Stereotyped Behaviors

Baranek, Grace T.; Foster, Laura Gutermuth; Berkson, Gershon

doi:10.5014/ajot.51.2.91

Cited by 201 publications

(128 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Alterations of synaptic modulation in autism, possibly related to the polymorphism of the serotonin transporter, has been suggested to affect thalamo-cortical connectivity and consequently leading to the development of sensory abnormalities (Chugani, 2002). Finally, the most compelling evidence linking the serotoninergic system and the thalamus to sensory abnormalities in autism comes from the involvement of serotonin in obsessive compulsive behaviors (Gilbert et al, 2000) and the recently reported association between these symptoms and sensory abnormalities in autism (Baranek et al, 1997). However, in spite of this mounting evidence, it remains unclear if the nature of this relationship is associative or causative.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An MRI and proton spectroscopy study of the thalamus in children with autism

Hardan

Minshew

Melhem

et al. 2008

Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging

107

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Thalamic alterations have been reported in autism but the relationships between these abnormalities and clinical symptoms, specifically sensory features, have not been elucidated. The goal of this investigation is to combine two neuroimaging methods to examine further the pathophysiology of thalamic anomalies in autism and to identify any association with sensory deficits. Structural MRI and multi-voxel, short echo-time proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H MRS) measurements were collected from 18 male children with autism and 16 healthy children. Anatomical measurements of thalamic nuclei and absolute concentration levels of key 1 H MRS metabolites were obtained. Sensory abnormalities were assessed using a sensory profile questionnaire. Lower levels of NAcetylaspartate (NAA), phosphocreatine and creatine, and choline-containing metabolites were observed on the left side in the autism group when compared to controls. No differences in thalamic volumes were observed between the two groups. Relationships, although limited, were observed between measures of sensory abnormalities and 1 H MRS metabolites. Findings from this study support the role of the thalamus in the pathophysiology of autism and more specifically in the sensory abnormalities observed in this disorder. Further investigations of this structure are warranted, since it plays an important role in information processing as part of the cortico-thalamo-cortical pathways.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An MRI and proton spectroscopy study of the thalamus in children with autism

Hardan

Minshew

Melhem

et al. 2008

Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging

107

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“…Furthermore, evidence suggests that sensory problems in autism are more common during childhood than during adulthood (Baranek, Foster, & Berkson, 1997). Kern et al (2006) reported that sensory problems in autism tend to be ameliorated with age.…”

Section: Scientific Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Findings on sensory deficits in autism: Implications for understanding the disorder.

Caminha¹,

Lampreia²

2012

Psychology & Neuroscience

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Among the many lines of research related to autism, investigations of sensory dysfunction have recently gained attention. The objective of this article is to briefly review the main findings of sensory deficits in autism, raise possibilities of early identification research in the area, and discuss the significance of these sensory problems for the understanding of autism. A review of the scientific literature with regard to sensory problems in autism was performed. A review of autobiographical reports of highfunctioning autistic individuals was also performed. This review showed that sensory problems have always been mentioned in the autism literature, but their relevance has been underestimated. Scientific research and autobiographical reports suggest a high prevalence of sensory problems in autism.Although not yet considered in the official diagnosis of autism, sensory problems appear to not only exert a considerable impact on the configuration of the disorder but also directly influence autistic persons in their daily lives. Such impairments may begin to be thought of as fundamental in autism. However, these characteristics deserve to be further investigated by researchers who are dedicated to the study of autism.

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“…NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript estimated to occur in 5% of the general population (Ahn, Miller, Milberger, & McIntosh, 2004) and seem to pose a unique challenge for people with developmental disabilities (Baranek, 2002), including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), fragile X syndrome, and other developmental disabilities (Ayres & Tickle, 1980;Baranek, 1999;Baranek & Berkson, 1994;Baranek, Foster, & Berkson, 1997;Cermak & Daunhauer, 1997;Grandin, 1992;Kinnealey, 1973;Larson, 1982;Mangeot et al, 2001;Miller et al, 1999). Understanding the neurobiological processes associated with sensory processing disruptions is important to developing appropriate preventative and intervention approaches.…”

Section: Nih-pa Author Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensory Processing Disorder in a Primate Model: Evidence From a Longitudinal Study of Prenatal Alcohol and Prenatal Stress Effects

et al. 2008

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Disrupted sensory processing, characterized by over-or underresponsiveness to environmental stimuli, has been reported in children with a variety of developmental disabilities. This study examined the effects of prenatal stress and moderate-level prenatal alcohol exposure on tactile sensitivity and its relationship to striatal dopamine system function in thirty-eight 5-to 7-year-old rhesus monkeys. The monkeys were from four experimental conditions: (a) prenatal alcohol exposed, (b) prenatal stress, (c) prenatal alcohol exposed + prenatal stress, and (d) sucrose controls. Increased D 2 receptor binding in the striatum, evaluated using positron emission tomography neuroimaging, was related to increased withdrawal (aversion) responses to repetitive tactile stimuli and reduced habituation across trials. Moreover, prenatal stress significantly increased overall withdrawal responses to repetitive tactile stimulation compared to no prenatal stress.Sensory processing disorders, characterized by under-or overresponsiveness to sensory stimulation that most individuals perceive as harmless (Ayres & Robbins, 1979) NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript estimated to occur in 5% of the general population (Ahn, Miller, Milberger, & McIntosh, 2004) and seem to pose a unique challenge for people with developmental disabilities (Baranek, 2002), including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), fragile X syndrome, and other developmental disabilities (Ayres & Tickle, 1980;Baranek, 1999;Baranek & Berkson, 1994;Baranek, Foster, & Berkson, 1997;Cermak & Daunhauer, 1997;Grandin, 1992;Kinnealey, 1973;Larson, 1982;Mangeot et al., 2001;Miller et al., 1999). Understanding the neurobiological processes associated with sensory processing disruptions is important to developing appropriate preventative and intervention approaches.This study examined whether disrupted sensory processing occurs in monkeys as a result of prenatal exposure to alcohol and/or stress, and if so, whether it would be associated with dopamine functioning in the striatum assessed with positron emission tomography (PET) neuroimaging. We employed a primate model for these studies because in human studies causal conclusions are difficult to reach due to confounding variables. Even with the best statistical analyses it is difficult, if not impossible, to separate completely the effects of variables associated with alcohol use, such as psychological stress, tobacco use, or chaotic home life, from the effects of fetal alcohol exposure per se. Nonhuman primates also have the advantage of gestation characteristics and early development similar to the human, and their shorter life span makes longitudinal studies somewhat easier to conduct. Rhesus monkeys were used because of the large amount of available data on their behavior and development in laboratory settings (Harlow & Harlow, 1969;Suomi, 1997) A. Jean Ayres (1964), an occupational therapist and educational psychologist, coined the term "tactile defensiveness" t...

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Tactile Defensiveness and Stereotyped Behaviors

Cited by 201 publications

References 7 publications

An MRI and proton spectroscopy study of the thalamus in children with autism

An MRI and proton spectroscopy study of the thalamus in children with autism

Findings on sensory deficits in autism: Implications for understanding the disorder.

Sensory Processing Disorder in a Primate Model: Evidence From a Longitudinal Study of Prenatal Alcohol and Prenatal Stress Effects

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