Age-related parietal GABA alterations in children with autism spectrum disorder / Marilena M. DEMAYO in Autism Research, 14-5 (May 2021)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism Research > 14-5 (May 2021) . - p.859-872 Titre : Age-related parietal GABA alterations in children with autism spectrum disorder Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Marilena M. DEMAYO, Auteur ; Ashley D. HARRIS, Auteur ; Yun Ju C. SONG, Auteur ; Izabella POKORSKI, Auteur ; Rinku THAPA, Auteur ; Shrujna PATEL, Auteur ; Zahava AMBARCHI, Auteur ; Emma E. THOMAS, Auteur ; Ian B. HICKIE, Auteur ; Adam J. GUASTELLA, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.859-872 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)  biomarker  children  magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)  neurochemistry  parietal lobe Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, and is essential to the balance of cortical excitation and inhibition. Reductions in GABA are proposed to result in an overly excitatory cortex that may cause, or contribute to, symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study employed a cross-sectional design to explore GABA+ differences in ASD and the impact of age, comparing 4-12 year olds with ASD (N = 24) to typically developing children (N = 35). GABA+ concentration was measured using edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the left parietal lobe. This study used a mixed model to investigate group differences between children with ASD and typically developing children. There was a significant difference in GABA+ levels between the groups, a significant effect of age and interaction between age and diagnostic group. The ASD group showed an association between GABA+ and age, with GABA+ levels gradually increasing with age (r = 0.59, p = 0.003). Typically developing children did not show age-related change in GABA+ concentration (r = 0.09, p = 0.60). By the age of 9, children with ASD showed GABA+ levels that were comparable to their typically developing peers. This study suggests that children with ASD have initially lower levels of GABA+ in the left parietal lobe compared to typically developing children, and that these initially lower levels of GABA+ increase with age in ASD within this region. It is suggested that this developmental shift of GABA+ levels within the left parietal lobe provides a possible explanation for the previously found reductions in childhood that does not persist in adults. LAY SUMMARY: This study measured levels of GABA in the left parietal lobe using magnetic resonance spectroscopy in children with ASD and typically developing children. GABA levels were initially lower in the ASD group, and increased with age, while GABA did not change with age in the typically developing group. This suggests that alterations in GABA signaling may be associated with ASD in childhood. Autism Res 2021, 14: 859-872. © 2021 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals LLC. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aur.2487 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=444 [article] Age-related parietal GABA alterations in children with autism spectrum disorder [texte imprimé] / Marilena M. DEMAYO, Auteur ; Ashley D. HARRIS, Auteur ; Yun Ju C. SONG, Auteur ; Izabella POKORSKI, Auteur ; Rinku THAPA, Auteur ; Shrujna PATEL, Auteur ; Zahava AMBARCHI, Auteur ; Emma E. THOMAS, Auteur ; Ian B. HICKIE, Auteur ; Adam J. GUASTELLA, Auteur . - p.859-872. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism Research > 14-5 (May 2021) . - p.859-872 Mots-clés : GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)  biomarker  children  magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)  neurochemistry  parietal lobe Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, and is essential to the balance of cortical excitation and inhibition. Reductions in GABA are proposed to result in an overly excitatory cortex that may cause, or contribute to, symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study employed a cross-sectional design to explore GABA+ differences in ASD and the impact of age, comparing 4-12 year olds with ASD (N = 24) to typically developing children (N = 35). GABA+ concentration was measured using edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the left parietal lobe. This study used a mixed model to investigate group differences between children with ASD and typically developing children. There was a significant difference in GABA+ levels between the groups, a significant effect of age and interaction between age and diagnostic group. The ASD group showed an association between GABA+ and age, with GABA+ levels gradually increasing with age (r = 0.59, p = 0.003). Typically developing children did not show age-related change in GABA+ concentration (r = 0.09, p = 0.60). By the age of 9, children with ASD showed GABA+ levels that were comparable to their typically developing peers. This study suggests that children with ASD have initially lower levels of GABA+ in the left parietal lobe compared to typically developing children, and that these initially lower levels of GABA+ increase with age in ASD within this region. It is suggested that this developmental shift of GABA+ levels within the left parietal lobe provides a possible explanation for the previously found reductions in childhood that does not persist in adults. LAY SUMMARY: This study measured levels of GABA in the left parietal lobe using magnetic resonance spectroscopy in children with ASD and typically developing children. GABA levels were initially lower in the ASD group, and increased with age, while GABA did not change with age in the typically developing group. This suggests that alterations in GABA signaling may be associated with ASD in childhood. Autism Res 2021, 14: 859-872. © 2021 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals LLC. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aur.2487 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=444

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Social Anxiety Does Not Increase Reports of Camouflaging Behavior in Autistic Adults: Results From an Exploratory Study / Bruna B. ROISENBERG in Autism Research, 18-9 (September 2025)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism Research > 18-9 (September 2025) . - p.1896-1909 Titre : Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Social Anxiety Does Not Increase Reports of Camouflaging Behavior in Autistic Adults: Results From an Exploratory Study Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Bruna B. ROISENBERG, Auteur ; Kelsie A. BOULTON, Auteur ; Emma E. THOMAS, Auteur ; Adam J. GUASTELLA, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1896-1909 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : anxiety  group therapy  mental health  psychological intervention  treatment Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : ABSTRACT Camouflaging has been defined as the masking or compensation of autistic traits during social interactions, often as a response to the stigma associated with autism and social expectations. Social anxiety has been closely linked to camouflaging, as autistic individuals may adopt camouflaging strategies to navigate social expectations and to reduce the risk of being negatively evaluated. Understanding the relationship between social anxiety and camouflaging in autism is essential for developing effective clinical interventions. This study investigated the effects of a modified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) group intervention, the Engage Program, on camouflaging and social anxiety. Specifically, the objective was to determine whether the CBT program would reduce social anxiety symptoms and if this reduction would also be associated with improvements in camouflaging behaviours. Seventy-one autistic adults participated in an 8-week modified CBT group intervention for social anxiety. Camouflaging behaviors were assessed using the CAT-Q scale, and social anxiety levels were measured using three established and validated self-report measures. Pre- and post-intervention scores were analyzed to determine change following treatment, and correlations between social anxiety and camouflaging measures were explored. As expected, the CBT intervention program significantly reduced social anxiety symptoms across all measures, showing moderate effect sizes from pre- to post-treatment. However, no significant changes in camouflaging behaviors were observed from pre- to post-treatment. Despite this, reductions in social anxiety symptoms were correlated with decreases in camouflaging behaviours, particularly for the compensation and assimilation subscales. Autistic participants who showed the most benefit from therapy on social anxiety measures also showed the greatest reduction in their camouflaging scores from pre- to post-treatment. These findings suggest that improvements in social anxiety symptoms from CBT are also associated with reductions in camouflaging. Importantly, CBT did not lead to an increase in camouflaging behaviors in autistic adults. This study supports the overall benefits of CBT for autistic adults and suggests a need for more randomized controlled studies. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.70103 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=568 [article] Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Social Anxiety Does Not Increase Reports of Camouflaging Behavior in Autistic Adults: Results From an Exploratory Study [texte imprimé] / Bruna B. ROISENBERG, Auteur ; Kelsie A. BOULTON, Auteur ; Emma E. THOMAS, Auteur ; Adam J. GUASTELLA, Auteur . - p.1896-1909. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism Research > 18-9 (September 2025) . - p.1896-1909 Mots-clés : anxiety  group therapy  mental health  psychological intervention  treatment Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : ABSTRACT Camouflaging has been defined as the masking or compensation of autistic traits during social interactions, often as a response to the stigma associated with autism and social expectations. Social anxiety has been closely linked to camouflaging, as autistic individuals may adopt camouflaging strategies to navigate social expectations and to reduce the risk of being negatively evaluated. Understanding the relationship between social anxiety and camouflaging in autism is essential for developing effective clinical interventions. This study investigated the effects of a modified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) group intervention, the Engage Program, on camouflaging and social anxiety. Specifically, the objective was to determine whether the CBT program would reduce social anxiety symptoms and if this reduction would also be associated with improvements in camouflaging behaviours. Seventy-one autistic adults participated in an 8-week modified CBT group intervention for social anxiety. Camouflaging behaviors were assessed using the CAT-Q scale, and social anxiety levels were measured using three established and validated self-report measures. Pre- and post-intervention scores were analyzed to determine change following treatment, and correlations between social anxiety and camouflaging measures were explored. As expected, the CBT intervention program significantly reduced social anxiety symptoms across all measures, showing moderate effect sizes from pre- to post-treatment. However, no significant changes in camouflaging behaviors were observed from pre- to post-treatment. Despite this, reductions in social anxiety symptoms were correlated with decreases in camouflaging behaviours, particularly for the compensation and assimilation subscales. Autistic participants who showed the most benefit from therapy on social anxiety measures also showed the greatest reduction in their camouflaging scores from pre- to post-treatment. These findings suggest that improvements in social anxiety symptoms from CBT are also associated with reductions in camouflaging. Importantly, CBT did not lead to an increase in camouflaging behaviors in autistic adults. This study supports the overall benefits of CBT for autistic adults and suggests a need for more randomized controlled studies. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.70103 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=568

Modified CBT for social anxiety and social functioning in young adults with autism spectrum disorder / Emily R. BEMMER in Molecular Autism, 12 (2021)  

Public ISBD [article]  inMolecular Autism > 12 (2021) . - 11p. Titre : Modified CBT for social anxiety and social functioning in young adults with autism spectrum disorder Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Emily R. BEMMER, Auteur ; Kelsie A. BOULTON, Auteur ; Emma E. THOMAS, Auteur ; Ben LARKE, Auteur ; Suncica LAH, Auteur ; Ian B. HICKIE, Auteur ; Adam J. GUASTELLA, Auteur Article en page(s) : 11p. Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Autism  Cognitive–behavioural therapy  Group  Intervention  Mental health  Social anxiety  Social skills Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: There is a strong research imperative to investigate effective treatment options for adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Elevated social anxiety, difficulties with social functioning and poor mental health have all been identified as core treatment targets for this group. While theoretical models posit a strong bidirectionality between social anxiety and ASD social functioning deficits, few interventions have targeted both domains concurrently. Of the two group interventions previously conducted with adolescents and adults with ASD, significant results have only been observed in either social anxiety or social functioning, and have not generalised to changes in overall mood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential benefit, tolerability and acceptability of a group cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) intervention in young adults with ASD. Primary treatment outcomes were social anxiety symptoms and social functioning difficulties; secondary outcomes were self-reported mood and overall distress. METHOD: Ten groups of participants completed an eight-week, modified group CBT intervention targeting both social anxiety and social functioning, that included social skills training, exposure tasks and behavioural experiment components. Seventy-eight adolescents and young adults with ASD, without intellectual impairment, aged between 16 and 38 (M = 22.77; SD = 5.31), were recruited from the community, Headspace centres and the Autism Clinic for Translational Research at the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney. Outcomes (social anxiety, social functioning and mood) were measured pre- and post-intervention via self-report questionnaires (administered either online or through the return of hard-copy booklets), and participants were invited to provide anonymous feedback on the intervention (at the mid-point and end of the intervention). RESULTS: Participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements on all outcome measures in response to the intervention. Specifically, social anxiety symptoms decreased (p < .001), and specific subdomains of social functioning improved post-intervention, particularly in social motivation (p = .032) and restricted interests and repetitive behaviours (p = .025). Self-reported symptom improvements also generalised to mood (depression, anxiety and stress; p < .05). All improvements demonstrated small effect sizes. Participant feedback was positive and indicated strong satisfaction with the program. LIMITATIONS: The absence of a control group and follow-up measures, reliance on self-report instruments as outcome measures and the exclusion of those with intellectual disability represent significant limitations to this study. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that a group CBT intervention appears to be a beneficial intervention for self-reported social anxiety, social functioning and overall mental health in adolescents and young adults with ASD. The stand-alone nature of the intervention combined with positive participant feedback indicates it was well tolerated, has potential clinical utility and warrants further study in a randomised-controlled, follow-up design. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13229-021-00418-w Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=442 [article] Modified CBT for social anxiety and social functioning in young adults with autism spectrum disorder [texte imprimé] / Emily R. BEMMER, Auteur ; Kelsie A. BOULTON, Auteur ; Emma E. THOMAS, Auteur ; Ben LARKE, Auteur ; Suncica LAH, Auteur ; Ian B. HICKIE, Auteur ; Adam J. GUASTELLA, Auteur . - 11p. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Molecular Autism > 12 (2021) . - 11p. Mots-clés : Autism  Cognitive–behavioural therapy  Group  Intervention  Mental health  Social anxiety  Social skills Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: There is a strong research imperative to investigate effective treatment options for adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Elevated social anxiety, difficulties with social functioning and poor mental health have all been identified as core treatment targets for this group. While theoretical models posit a strong bidirectionality between social anxiety and ASD social functioning deficits, few interventions have targeted both domains concurrently. Of the two group interventions previously conducted with adolescents and adults with ASD, significant results have only been observed in either social anxiety or social functioning, and have not generalised to changes in overall mood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential benefit, tolerability and acceptability of a group cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) intervention in young adults with ASD. Primary treatment outcomes were social anxiety symptoms and social functioning difficulties; secondary outcomes were self-reported mood and overall distress. METHOD: Ten groups of participants completed an eight-week, modified group CBT intervention targeting both social anxiety and social functioning, that included social skills training, exposure tasks and behavioural experiment components. Seventy-eight adolescents and young adults with ASD, without intellectual impairment, aged between 16 and 38 (M = 22.77; SD = 5.31), were recruited from the community, Headspace centres and the Autism Clinic for Translational Research at the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney. Outcomes (social anxiety, social functioning and mood) were measured pre- and post-intervention via self-report questionnaires (administered either online or through the return of hard-copy booklets), and participants were invited to provide anonymous feedback on the intervention (at the mid-point and end of the intervention). RESULTS: Participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements on all outcome measures in response to the intervention. Specifically, social anxiety symptoms decreased (p < .001), and specific subdomains of social functioning improved post-intervention, particularly in social motivation (p = .032) and restricted interests and repetitive behaviours (p = .025). Self-reported symptom improvements also generalised to mood (depression, anxiety and stress; p < .05). All improvements demonstrated small effect sizes. Participant feedback was positive and indicated strong satisfaction with the program. LIMITATIONS: The absence of a control group and follow-up measures, reliance on self-report instruments as outcome measures and the exclusion of those with intellectual disability represent significant limitations to this study. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that a group CBT intervention appears to be a beneficial intervention for self-reported social anxiety, social functioning and overall mental health in adolescents and young adults with ASD. The stand-alone nature of the intervention combined with positive participant feedback indicates it was well tolerated, has potential clinical utility and warrants further study in a randomised-controlled, follow-up design. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13229-021-00418-w Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=442

Social and joint attention during shared book reading in young autistic children: a potential marker for social development / Zahava AMBARCHI in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 65-11 (November 2024)  

Public ISBD [article]  inJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 65-11 (November 2024) . - p.1441-1452 Titre : Social and joint attention during shared book reading in young autistic children: a potential marker for social development Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Zahava AMBARCHI, Auteur ; Kelsie A. BOULTON, Auteur ; Rinku THAPA, Auteur ; Joanne ARCIULI, Auteur ; Marilena M. DEMAYO, Auteur ; Ian B. HICKIE, Auteur ; Emma E. THOMAS, Auteur ; Adam J. GUASTELLA, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1441-1452 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : autism  social attention  eye tracking  joint attention  child development Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background Atypical patterns of social engagement and joint attention behaviors are diagnostic criteria for people with autism spectrum disorder. Experimental tasks using eye-tracking methodologies have, however, shown inconsistent results. The development of tasks with greater ecological validity and relevance for developmentally appropriate social milestones has been identified as important for the field. Methods We developed a novel, dynamic eye-tracking task emulating a shared book reading (SBR) scenario. Four SBR videos of an adult reader engaging with the viewer while reading a children's picture book and including sequenced bids for joint attention were developed. Participants included 90 children (N 56 autistic children, N 34 neurotypical children; aged 3 12). Social attention was also measured in a live free play task between participants and an experimenter. Results Compared to neurotypical children, autistic children displayed reduced attention to socially salient stimuli including the reader's face and picture book across SBR videos and during joint attention bids specifically. In contrast, they showed increased attention to nonsalient background stimuli compared to their neurotypical peers. These attention patterns in autistic children were associated with reduced verbal and nonverbal cognitive skills and increased symptoms associated with autism. Interestingly, positive correlations in the frequency of eye gaze between SBR and free play suggested a potential predictive value for social attention in live social interactions. Conclusions Findings highlight the utility of SBR eye-tracking tasks in understanding underlying divergences in social engagement and joint attention between autistic and neurotypical children. This commonly practiced early childhood activity may provide insights into the relationship between social engagement and learning to reveal how such attentional patterns might influence broader developmental and educational outcomes. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13993 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=537 [article] Social and joint attention during shared book reading in young autistic children: a potential marker for social development [texte imprimé] / Zahava AMBARCHI, Auteur ; Kelsie A. BOULTON, Auteur ; Rinku THAPA, Auteur ; Joanne ARCIULI, Auteur ; Marilena M. DEMAYO, Auteur ; Ian B. HICKIE, Auteur ; Emma E. THOMAS, Auteur ; Adam J. GUASTELLA, Auteur . - p.1441-1452. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 65-11 (November 2024) . - p.1441-1452 Mots-clés : autism  social attention  eye tracking  joint attention  child development Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background Atypical patterns of social engagement and joint attention behaviors are diagnostic criteria for people with autism spectrum disorder. Experimental tasks using eye-tracking methodologies have, however, shown inconsistent results. The development of tasks with greater ecological validity and relevance for developmentally appropriate social milestones has been identified as important for the field. Methods We developed a novel, dynamic eye-tracking task emulating a shared book reading (SBR) scenario. Four SBR videos of an adult reader engaging with the viewer while reading a children's picture book and including sequenced bids for joint attention were developed. Participants included 90 children (N 56 autistic children, N 34 neurotypical children; aged 3 12). Social attention was also measured in a live free play task between participants and an experimenter. Results Compared to neurotypical children, autistic children displayed reduced attention to socially salient stimuli including the reader's face and picture book across SBR videos and during joint attention bids specifically. In contrast, they showed increased attention to nonsalient background stimuli compared to their neurotypical peers. These attention patterns in autistic children were associated with reduced verbal and nonverbal cognitive skills and increased symptoms associated with autism. Interestingly, positive correlations in the frequency of eye gaze between SBR and free play suggested a potential predictive value for social attention in live social interactions. Conclusions Findings highlight the utility of SBR eye-tracking tasks in understanding underlying divergences in social engagement and joint attention between autistic and neurotypical children. This commonly practiced early childhood activity may provide insights into the relationship between social engagement and learning to reveal how such attentional patterns might influence broader developmental and educational outcomes. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13993 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=537

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