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Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
12:21

Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Published on: September 12, 2011

Frontal cortex functioning in the infant broader autism phenotype

Karla Holmboe1, Mayada Elsabbagh, Agnes Volein

  • 1Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, London, United Kingdom. karla.holmboe@kcl.ac.uk

Infant Behavior & Development
|July 9, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Infants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show attention difficulties and less selective inhibition. However, these infants demonstrate selective inhibitory learning, suggesting early frontal cortex differences in the broader autism phenotype.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

  • Atypical attention is a potential marker for the broader autism phenotype.
  • Inhibitory control and attention are linked to frontal cortex function.
  • Early identification of ASD-related traits is crucial for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate attention and inhibitory control in 9- to 10-month-old infant siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (Sibs-ASD).
  • To examine the selectivity of attention and inhibition in response to varying stimulus attractiveness.
  • To explore potential early indicators of frontal cortex atypicality in the broader autism phenotype.

Main Methods:

  • The study utilized the Freeze-Frame task with Sibs-ASD and low-risk control infants.
  • Infants were tasked with inhibiting visual attention to distractors while viewing a central animation.
  • Stimulus attractiveness was manipulated to assess the selectivity of attentional and inhibitory responses.

Main Results:

  • A subset of Sibs-ASD infants exhibited difficulty disengaging attention.
  • The Sibs-ASD group demonstrated reduced Selective Inhibition compared to controls.
  • Sibs-ASD infants successfully showed Selective Inhibitory Learning.

Conclusions:

  • Findings suggest preliminary evidence of atypical frontal cortex functioning in the infant broader autism phenotype.
  • Attention and inhibition differences may be observable in infants at high familial risk for ASD.
  • Selective inhibitory learning indicates some preserved or developing frontal functions.

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