1. Chen Q, Deister CA, Gao X, Guo B, Lynn-Jones T, Chen N, Wells MF, Liu R, Goard MJ, Dimidschstein J, Feng S, Shi Y, Liao W, Lu Z, Fishell G, Moore CI, Feng G. {{Dysfunction of cortical GABAergic neurons leads to sensory hyper-reactivity in a Shank3 mouse model of ASD}}. {Nat Neurosci};2020 (Mar 2)
Hyper-reactivity to sensory input is a common and debilitating symptom in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but the neural basis underlying sensory abnormality is not completely understood. Here we examined the neural representations of sensory perception in the neocortex of a Shank3B(-/-) mouse model of ASD. Male and female Shank3B(-/-) mice were more sensitive to relatively weak tactile stimulation in a vibrissa motion detection task. In vivo population calcium imaging in vibrissa primary somatosensory cortex (vS1) revealed increased spontaneous and stimulus-evoked firing in pyramidal neurons but reduced activity in interneurons. Preferential deletion of Shank3 in vS1 inhibitory interneurons led to pyramidal neuron hyperactivity and increased stimulus sensitivity in the vibrissa motion detection task. These findings provide evidence that cortical GABAergic interneuron dysfunction plays a key role in sensory hyper-reactivity in a Shank3 mouse model of ASD and identify a potential cellular target for exploring therapeutic interventions.
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2. Greenlee JL, Winter MA, Marcovici IA. {{Brief Report: Gender Differences in Experiences of Peer Victimization Among Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2020 (Mar 2)
Peer victimization (PV) is a common problem for many adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and can negatively impact the mental health and well-being of these youth. Results of the current study of 105 adolescents with ASD (n = 50 girls, 55 boys) indicated that girls and boys experience similar types of PV at similar frequencies. However, relational victimization accounted for a significant portion of variance in anxiety symptoms, above and beyond social communication deficits and restricted and repetitive behaviors, in girls but not in boys. Findings provide preliminary evidence suggesting that the impact of PV on mental health symptoms may be different for girls and boys with ASD, highlighting the need for more research focused on understanding potentially unique social processes for adolescent girls with ASD.
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3. Henry AR, Solari EJ. {{Targeting Oral Language and Listening Comprehension Development for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A School-Based Pilot Study}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2020 (Mar 2)
This study investigates the effects of an integrated oral language and listening comprehension intervention for early elementary students with ASD. Students (n = 43) were randomly assigned to intervention or control comparison conditions, with intervention students receiving instruction in small groups of 3 or 4. Groups were led by special education classroom teachers 4 days per week across 20 weeks in the school year. Significant group differences were detected on measures of expressive vocabulary, narrative ability, and listening comprehension. This study provides preliminary evidence of the intervention’s feasibility and effectiveness for intervening in language and early reading skills for students with ASD.
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4. Karunakaran S, Menon RN, Nair SS, Santhakumar S, Nair M, Sundaram S. {{Clinical and Genetic Profile of Autism Spectrum Disorder-Epilepsy (ASD-E) Phenotype: Two Sides of the Same Coin!}}. {Clin EEG Neurosci};2020 (Mar 2):1550059420909673.
The clinical phenotype of autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy (ASD-E) is a common neurological presentation in various genetic disorders, irrespective of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Here we describe the demographic and clinical profiles, coexistent neurological conditions, type of seizures, epilepsy syndrome, and EEG findings in 11 patients with ASD-E phenotype with proven genetic etiology. The commonest genetic abnormality noted was CDKL5 mutation (3), MECP2 mutation (2), and 1p36 deletion (2). The median age of onset of clinical seizures was 6 months (range, 10 days to 11 years). The most common seizure type was focal onset seizures with impaired awareness, observed in 7 (63.6%) patients followed by epileptic spasms in 4 (30.8%), generalized tonic-clonic and atonic seizures in 3 (27.3%) patients each and tonic seizures in 2 (18.2%) patients and myoclonic seizures in 1 (9.1%) patient. Focal and multifocal interictal epileptiform abnormalities were seen in 6 (54.6%) and 5 (45.5%) patients, respectively. Epileptic encephalopathy and focal epilepsy were seen in 7 (63.6%) and 4 (36.4%) patients, respectively. The diagnostic yield of genetic testing was 44% (11 of 25 patients) and when variants of unknown significance and metabolic defects were included, the yield increased to 60% (15 of 25 patients). We conclude that in patients with ASD-E phenotype with an underlying genetic basis, the clinical seizure type, epilepsy syndrome, and EEG patterns are variable. Next-generation exome sequencing and chromosomal microarray need to be considered in clinical practice as part of evaluation of children with ASD-E phenotype.
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5. Lehmann K, Rosato M, McKenna H, Leavey G. {{Autism trait prevalence in treatment seeking adolescents and adults attending specialist gender services}}. {Eur Psychiatry};2020 (Mar 2);63(1):e23.
BACKGROUND.: To assess the prevalence of autism traits in individuals accessing gender affirming treatments, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in the regional specialist gender services in Northern Ireland. METHODS.: One hundred and twenty-three individuals (38 adolescents and 69 adults) currently attending or who previously attended specialist gender services in Northern Ireland were recruited. Fifty-six individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB) and 66 individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) took part in the study. Main outcome measures: Autism Quotient (AQ), Cambridge Behavior Scale (EQ), and RAADS-14. RESULTS.: Autism trait prevalence rates of 19.5% (AQ); 25.4% (RAADS-14); and 35.8% (poor empathy traits). A combined measure comprising all three provided a prevalence of 17.2%. There were no mean differences in the scores between AMAB (assigned male at birth) individuals and AFAB (assigned female at birth) individuals. CONCLUSIONS.: Autism traits present additional challenges during the assessment and treatment of individuals with gender dysphoria. Autism screening tools can aid in the identification of individual with additional needs.
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6. Lu MH, Pang FF, Luo J. {{Chinese Validation of the Multidimensional Attitude Scale toward Persons with Disabilities (MAS): Attitudes toward Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2020 (Mar 2)
The literature on tools of attitudes towards ASD was limited. This study is the first to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the multidimensional attitudes scale toward persons with disabilities (MAS) in a sample of Chinese college students (N = 1002, 32.10% males). Confirmatory factor analysis supported the G-MAS-R model’s 4-factor structure: calm, negative affect, positive cognitions and behavioral avoidance. The results suggest that the Chinese version of the MAS has satisfactory internal consistency. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the MAS scores were significantly correlated with the Social Distance Scale and Autism Stigma and Knowledge Questionnaire scores. Overall, the findings indicate that the MAS is appropriate for assessing attitudes toward people with ASD in a Chinese context.
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7. May T, Brignell A, Williams K. {{Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevalence in Children Aged 12-13 Years From the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children}}. {Autism Res};2020 (Mar 2)
This study aimed to provide an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence update from parent and teacher report using the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). The LSAC is a prospective cohort study of Australian children representative of the population with two cohorts: Kinder (birth year 1999/2000) and Birth cohort (birth year 2003/2004). Children in the Birth and Kinder cohort with parent- and teacher-reported ASD prevalence were compared to children without ASD. There were N = 3,381 (66%) responding in the Birth cohort at age 12 and N = 3,089 (62%) for the Kinder cohort at age 16. Quality of life was measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, and emotional/behavior problems using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Parent-reported ASD prevalence increased to 4.36% [95% CI 3.56-5.19] at age 12-13 years in the Birth cohort and 2.60% [95% CI 2.07-3.31] in the Kinder cohort. Kinder cohort ASD children had more parent- and teacher-reported social problems, and lower parent-reported social and psychosocial quality of life. As expected, parent-reported ASD prevalence continued to rise. The higher prevalence in the Birth cohort may relate to milder cases of ASD being diagnosed. LAY SUMMARY: Parent-reported ASD prevalence in 2016 in 12-year-old children from the Birth cohort of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children was 4.4%, and higher than the 2.6% in the earlier born Kinder cohort. The Birth cohort had a milder presentation with fewer social, emotional, and behavioral problems than the Kinder cohort. Milder cases of ASD are being diagnosed in Australia resulting in one of the highest reported prevalence rates in the world. (c) 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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8. Schwartz AE, Kramer JM, Rogers ES, McDonald KE, Cohn ES. {{Stakeholder-driven approach to developing a peer-mentoring intervention for young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions}}. {J Appl Res Intellect Disabil};2020 (Mar 2)
BACKGROUND: Young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions (IDD-MH) experience significant mental health disparities. Barriers to services include transportation and stigma associated with services. Peer mentoring (PM) may be one solution to these barriers. METHODS: We conducted exploratory research to develop a PM intervention for young adults with IDD-MH by partnering with 3 young adults with IDD-MH and a seven-member advisory board. In addition, we conducted focus groups with mental health clinicians (n = 10), peer providers (n = 9), and transition specialists (n = 20) to identify the desired PM outcomes and features and content that may facilitate these outcomes. RESULTS: Prioritized outcome: identifying and utilizing leisure activities as coping strategies. PM features: mentors should use relationship- and outcome-driven actions to operationalize a mentee-centred approach. Features and content considerations: safety, mentor matching, degree of structure, mentor training and support, and collaboration with mentees’ support teams. DISCUSSION: Findings are aligned with previous research on PM.
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9. Taylor E, Holt R, Tavassoli T, Ashwin C, Baron-Cohen S. {{Revised scored Sensory Perception Quotient reveals sensory hypersensitivity in women with autism}}. {Mol Autism};2020 (Mar 2);11(1):18.
BACKGROUND: Previous research using the Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ) has reported greater sensory hypersensitivity in people with autism spectrum condition (ASC) compared to controls, consistent with other research. However, current scoring of the SPQ does not differentiate between hyper and hyposensitivity, making it uncertain whether individuals with ASC might also show differences in hyposensitivity. Furthermore, no research to date has focused on sensory differences in females, and whether differences in sensory sensitivity extend to the broader autism phenotype (BAP). The present study aimed to fill these gaps. METHODS: The present study developed and validated a Revised Scoring of the Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ-RS) in order to investigate self-reported hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity in three groups of adults: a female ASC group (n = 152), mothers of children with ASC (BAP mothers group; n = 103), and a control mothers group (n = 74). All participants completed the SPQ as a self-report measure of sensory processing and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) as a measure of the degree of autism traits. RESULTS: The female ASC group reported significantly more hypersensitivity, but not more hyposensitivity, compared to the control female and BAP mothers groups. The BAP mothers group did not differ from the control mothers group in either reported hypersensitivity (p = .365) or hyposensitivity (p = .075), suggesting atypical sensory sensitivity is not a BAP trait within females. SPQ-RS hypersensitivity scores positively correlated with autistic traits in the female ASC (r = .266) and BAP mothers groups (r = .350). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings revealed greater sensory hypersensitivity, but not hyposensitivity, in females with ASC compared to BAP and control female groups, and that a greater degree of autism traits relates to higher hypersensitivity in ASC females. The results offer support for the enhanced perceptual functioning model using large samples of females, who are an understudied population, and demonstrate the validity of the SPQ-RS as a valuable new research tool for exploring self-reported hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity.
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10. Yaguchi A, Hidaka S. {{Unique Relationships Between Autistic Traits and Visual, Auditory, and Tactile Sensory Thresholds in Typically Developing Adults}}. {Perception};2020 (Mar 2):301006620907827.
