Working memory load affects repetitive behaviour but not cognitive flexibility in adolescent autism spectrum disorder

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by repetitive behaviors, suggesting potential deficits in cognitive flexibility.
• Understanding these deficits requires examining the roles of working memory and neurophysiological mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate behavioral and neurophysiological correlates of cognitive flexibility in adolescents with ASD.
• To assess the impact of working memory load on cognitive flexibility and repetitive behaviors in ASD.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a task-switching paradigm with and without working memory load.
• Analyzed behavioral performance and electroencephalography (EEG) data in adolescents with ASD and typically developing (TD) controls.

Main Results:

• Adolescents with ASD showed similar performance to TD controls in task switching without memory load.
• Performance decreased with increasing memory load, particularly during task repetition.
• EEG data revealed modulations in P2 and P3 event-related potentials correlating with behavioral effects.

Conclusions:

• 'Pure' cognitive flexibility is not deficient in adolescents with ASD.
• Working memory demands impact repetitive behaviors in ASD, not cognitive flexibility processes.
• Deficits in preparatory attention and task set implementation may underlie the heightened vulnerability of habitual responses in ASD under executive control demands.