Reduced gamma oscillation during visual processing of the mother's face in children with autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study

Chiaki Hasegawa ^1,2,3, Takashi Ikeda ^1,4,5, Yuko Yoshimura ^1,4,6

¹Research Center for Child Mental Development Kanazawa University Kanazawa Japan.
²Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Chiyoda-ku Tokyo Japan.
³School of Psychological Sciences Macquarie University Sydney Australia.
⁴United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine Chiba University, and University of Fukui Osaka/Kanazawa/Hamamatsu/Chiba/Fukui Japan.
⁵University of Fukui Fukui Japan.
⁶Institute of Human and Social Sciences Kanazawa University Kanazawa Japan.
⁷Department of Future Psychiatric Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Nagasaki University Nagasaki Japan.
⁸Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology Yasuda Woman's University Hiroshima Japan.
⁹School of Psychology University of Birmingham Birmingham UK.
¹⁰Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology University of Birmingham Birmingham UK.
¹¹Uozu Shinkei Sanatorium Uozu Japan.
¹²Department of Neuropsychiatry University of Fukui Fukui Japan.
¹³Department of Neurological Diagnosis and Restoration, Graduate School of Medicine Osaka University Suita Japan.
¹⁴Department of Neurosurgery Osaka University Medical School Suita Japan.
¹⁵Center for Information and Neural Networks National Institute of Information and Communications Technology Suita Japan.
¹⁶Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Symbiotic Intelligent System Research Center Osaka University Suita Japan.
¹⁷International Professional University of Technology in Osaka Osaka Japan.
¹⁸Chubu University Academy of Emerging Sciences Kasugai Japan.
¹⁹Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology Kanazawa University Kanazawa Japan.

⁰Research Center for Child Mental Development Kanazawa University Kanazawa Japan.

Pcn Reports : Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences +

|

June 13, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Children with autism spectrum disorder show distinct gamma oscillation patterns during face processing. This magnetoencephalography study highlights differences in neural activity, offering insights into social communication traits.

Area Of Science

Neuroscience
Developmental Psychology
Biomedical Engineering

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication challenges.
Face processing is a critical social skill often impacted in individuals with ASD.
Gamma oscillations are implicated in various cognitive functions, including visual processing and social cognition.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate differences in gamma oscillations during face processing between children with ASD and typically developed (TD) children.
To utilize magnetoencephalography (MEG) to examine neural activity in response to naturalistic social stimuli.
To explore the neural underpinnings of atypical face processing in young children with ASD.

Main Methods

Participants included 18 children with ASD (62-97 months) and 24 TD children (61-79 months).
MEG data were acquired during a task involving naturalistic eye-gaze stimuli between child and mother.
Analysis focused on gamma oscillations (30-59 Hz and 61-90 Hz) in specific brain regions: superior temporal sulcus, fusiform gyrus, and pericalcarine cortex.

Main Results

Significant differences in low gamma band (30-59 Hz) oscillations were found in the right superior temporal sulcus, right fusiform gyrus, and right pericalcarine cortex.
Significant differences in high gamma band (61-90 Hz) oscillations were observed in the right superior temporal sulcus, bilateral fusiform gyrus, and bilateral pericalcarine cortex.
These findings indicate distinct patterns of neural activity related to face processing in children with ASD compared to TD children.

Conclusions

This is the first MEG study to demonstrate atypical face processing in young children with ASD using mother-child interaction stimuli.
The naturalistic paradigm effectively assesses social communication traits and provides insights into neural mechanisms in ASD.
The study highlights the utility of MEG in understanding the neurobiology of social deficits in autism spectrum disorder.

Keywords:

autism spectrum disorder face recognition gamma oscillation magnetoencephalography young children

Related Concept Videos

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.