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Updated: Aug 28, 2025
Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations
Published on: July 1, 2015
Exploring brainstem auditory evoked potentials and mental development index as early indicators of autism spectrum
Xiaoyan Wang1, Xianming Carroll2, Ping Zhang1
1Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China.
Insights
Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) and mental development index (MDI) can help identify autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in infants. Abnormal BAEP and low MDI scores in early infancy are linked to ASD, suggesting their utility in early screening.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Background:
- Early identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is crucial for timely intervention.
- Biomarkers for early ASD detection in infants are actively being sought.
- Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP) and Mental Development Index (MDI) are potential early indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if BAEP and MDI can serve as early indicators for ASD in infants.
- To compare BAEP and MDI values between infants with ASD and typically developing controls.
- To determine the association between abnormal BAEP/MDI and ASD risk.
Main Methods:
- Study included 34 infants with ASD and 102 matched controls from Hubei Province, China.
- BAEP (absolute latencies I, III, V; interpeak latencies I-III, III-V, I-V) were measured at 1, 3, and 6 months.
- MDI scores were assessed from 1 month to 2 years; logistic regression analyzed associations.
Main Results:
- ASD group showed prolonged BAEP absolute latencies (AL) I, V and interpeak latency (IPL) III-V.
- MDI scores significantly declined in ASD cases between 12 and 24 months.
- Abnormal BAEP AL I (1-3 months) and AL V (6 months), and low MDI (<80 at 1-6 months) were associated with increased ASD likelihood (ORs ranging from 2.58 to 7.85).
Conclusions:
- Abnormal BAEP values and low MDI scores are independent early indicators associated with ASD.
- Monitoring BAEP and MDI during infancy may aid in the early screening of ASD development.
- These findings support the potential of neurophysiological and developmental assessments for early ASD identification.
Abstract:
This study of infants from Hubei Province, China examined brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) and mental development index (MDI) as possible early indicators associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The 34 ASD cases and 102 controls who had recovered from perinatal conditions were matched for age, sex, gestational age, birth weight and maternal age. BAEP absolute latencies (AL) I, III, V and interpeak latencies (IPL) I-III, III-V, I-V were compared in ASD cases and controls at ages 1, 3 and 6 months. MDI scores were compared in these infants from 1 month to 2 years old. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to test associations among ASD, BAEP and MDI. Results showed BAEP AL I, V and IPL III-V prolonged in the ASD group (p < 0.001), and MDI scores in ASD cases sharply declining from 12 to 24 months (p < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed odds ratios (OR) indicating that ASD was likely associated with abnormal values of BAEP AL I at 1 and 3 months (ORAL I : 4.27; ORAL I : 4.13), and AL V at 6 months (ORAL V : 7.85). Lower MDI scores (MDI < 80) in infants at 1, 3, and 6 months were likely associated with ASD (ORMDI : 2.58; ORMDI : 3.83; ORMDI : 4.87). These data show that abnormal BAEP values and low MDI scores are independent factors associated with ASD, and that monitoring of BAEP and MDI during infancy might facilitate screening for ASD development.
