1. Berger NI, Ingersoll B. {{An Evaluation of Imitation Recognition Abilities in Typically Developing Children and Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {Autism Res}. 2015.
Previous work has indicated that both typically developing children and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) display a range of imitation recognition behaviors in response to a contingent adult imitator. However, it is unknown how the two groups perform comparatively on this construct. In this study, imitation recognition behaviors for children with ASD and typically developing children were observed during periods of contingent imitation imbedded in a naturalistic imitation task. Results from this study indicate that children with ASD are impaired in their ability to recognize being imitated relative to typically developing peers as demonstrated both by behaviors representing basic social attention and more mature imitation recognition. Display of imitation recognition behaviors was independent of length of contingent imitation period in typically developing children, but rate of engagement in imitation recognition behaviors was positively correlated with length of contingent imitation period in children with ASD. Exploratory findings also suggest a link between the ability to demonstrate recognition of being imitated and ASD symptom severity, language, and object imitation for young children with ASD. Autism Res 2015. (c) 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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2. Doyle-Thomas KA, Lee W, Foster NE, Tryfon A, Ouimet T, Hyde KL, Evans AC, Lewis J, Zwaigenbaum L, Anagnostou E. {{Atypical functional brain connectivity during rest in autism spectrum disorders}}. {Ann Neurol}. 2015.
Connectivity atypicalities in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been extensively proposed. The default mode network (DMN) is critical in this study given the insight it provides for long-distance connectivity, and the importance of regions in this network for introspection and social emotion processing, areas affected in ASD. Still, study of this network is largely limited to adults; research earlier in development is lacking. Objective: To examine DMN connectivity in children/ adolescents with ASD. Methods: 115 children/ adolescents, ages 6-17 years [71 males with ASD and 44 group age-matched TD males] were included in these analyses. We examined group differences in (1) functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex and regions across the brain, (2) connectivity within the DMN as a function of age and IQ, and (3) the association between DMN connectivity and empathic accuracy. Results: Individuals with ASD, relative to controls showed either stronger, and weaker connectivity between the PCC and DMN regions, depending on the region, but also showed stronger connectivity with non-DMN regions. A significant group-by-age interaction was observed in functional connectivity between the PCC and medial prefrontal cortex; connectivity increased with age in controls, but decreased in individuals with ASD. No effects of IQ were found. There was a significant group difference in the relation between DMN connectivity and empathic accuracy. Interpretation: Differences in functional connectivity may suggest the presence of neural atypicalities that impact the development of typical connectivity in ASD. In addition to affecting DMN dynamics, these atypicalities may also impact social-cognitive abilities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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3. Kantojarvi K, Oikkonen J, Kotala I, Kallela J, Vanhala R, Onkamo P, Jarvela I. {{Association and Promoter Analysis of AVPR1A in Finnish Autism Families}}. {Autism Res}. 2015.
The arginine vasopressin receptor 1A gene (AVPR1A) is known to affect social communication and has been reported to associate with autism in several studies. Given that the microsatellite RS1 and a few SNPs in the promoter region of the AVPR1A have repeatedly associated with several traits, including autism it is rather surprising that the molecular explanation for these associations has remained unknown, although it has been reported that the allele length of the AVPR1A microsatellites might affect disease risk. Here we carried out an extended association analysis of three microsatellites and 12 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in and around the AVPR1A gene in 205 Finnish families followed by promoter analysis. FBAT version v2.0.3 was used for family-based genetic association analyses of AVPR1A microsatellites and SNPs. The nearby microsatellite RS1 was found to harbor the best association. Interestingly, there are two potentially relevant transcription factor (TF) binding sites at RS1: for MEF2C and PBX, predicted with the Match algorithm in the TRANSFAC(R) database. Sequence variations changing the affinity of these TFs might partly explain the AVPR1A promoter region associations shown in autism. Autism Res 2015. (c) 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
