Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
09:13
Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
17.3K
Feedforward and feedback motor control abnormalities implicate cerebellar dysfunctions in autism spectrum disorder
Matthew W Mosconi1, Suman Mohanty2, Rachel K Greene2
1Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas 75235-9086, matt.mosconi@utsouthwestern.edu.
Summary
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit motor control differences, including altered feedforward and feedback mechanisms. These sensorimotor issues correlate with social-communication challenges, implicating cerebellar circuits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Motor Control
Background:
- Sensorimotor abnormalities are early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Understanding these abnormalities offers insights into ASD's neural basis.
- They are less studied than social-communication and cognitive deficits in ASD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate disruptions in feedforward motor control mechanisms in ASD.
- To examine alterations in reactive adjustments based on visual feedback in ASD.
- To assess motor and visuomotor control across different force levels and visual gains in ASD.
Main Methods:
- Examined rapid, precision grip force contractions in individuals with ASD.
- Analyzed sustained force contractions under varying visual feedback conditions.
- Assessed feedforward and feedback mechanisms during motor tasks.
Main Results:
- Individuals with ASD demonstrated greater peak rate of force increases and overshoots.
- Increased sustained force variability in ASD scaled with force level.
- ASD participants showed more periodic reactive adjustments and reliance on slower feedback.
Conclusions:
- Feedforward and feedback motor control mechanisms are altered in ASD.
- These alterations are linked to social-communication impairments.
- Findings implicate anterior and posterior cerebellar circuits in ASD's sensorimotor deficits.
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