Duration Mismatch Negativity in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder Versus Healthy Controls

The mismatch negativity (MMN) reflects automatic cognitive function in response to auditory stimulation. The MMN to duration deviant (d-MMN) amplitude is known to be lower in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than in healthy controls (HCs). Moreover, the d-MMN is known to be a trait maker of schizophrenia because it is unaffected by the duration of illness. This study aimed to identify robust tools to distinguish adults with ASD from HCs by measuring the d-MMN.

Fifteen adults with ASD (age range, 20-40 years) and 20 HCs were compared. After excluding patients with a low intelligence quotient, those using central nervous system stimulants, and those with excessive alcohol consumption, we conducted an auditory oddball task to measure the d-MMN.

Compared with HCs, the patients with ASD showed significantly shorter d-MMN latencies for Fz and Cz.

The present findings suggest that the automatic cognitive function indicated by MMN amplitude might be improved by growth. Alternatively, the hypersensitivity indicated by d-MMN latencies suggests that it could persist into adulthood.

The d-MMN latency was shortened in patients with ASD compared with HCs. We believe that this is the first report to reveal that hypersensitivity in ASD as reflected by a shortened d-MMN latency should be maintained, even in adults.