Atypical Spatial Attention in Those with a High Level of Self-reported Autistic Traits

Dunn, S., Freeth, M., Milne, E. (in press). Electrophysiological Evidence of Atypical Spatial Attention in Those with a High Level of Self-reported Autistic Traits. Journal of Autism and Developmental disorders, doi: 10.1007/s10803-016-2751-3

 by Stephanie Dunn

Article Summary:

Atypical attention is one of the earliest identifiable characteristics of autism spectrum conditions (ASC) and work has shown that differences in attention also correlate with autistic traits in the general population.  The current project was driven by a motivation to understand the brain basis of attention in ASC and to describe neural characteristics associated with autistic traits.  

We carried out studies to see whether those who report high levels of autistic traits, but no clinical diagnosis of ASC, demonstrate atypical neural correlates of attention. Autistic traits can be measured with an existing questionnaire which asks the participants a series of questions about different social and communication preferences (Autism Quotient - AQ). The AQ gives a score on a scale from 0-50, with everybody showing a certain level of autistic traits, extending from the existing idea of an ASC spectrum. 

The typical visual scene is cluttered with goal relevant objects and irrelevant distracting objects; we can access the mechanisms underlying efficient performance in this situation by using a visual search task. Work has shown that those with an ASC perform well on tasks of visual search; better than their typically developing peers. If those with high levels of autistic traits are also processing a visual scene in a different way, we might expect to see altered correlates of attention; specifically in this case, spatial attention and the processing of targets and distracters. 

We used a task in which participants had to tell whether a letter T was upright or inverted. This task was specifically designed to elicit the brain signal of interest; a component recorded using electroencephalography (EEG), termed the N2pc. The N2pc reflects processes that occur to select a target in space and complete a visual search task. In a second study we also recorded the two subcomponents of the N2pc; the N_T and P_D, which reflect the actual selection of the target (N_T) and the suppression of distracters (P_D).

We found a significantly larger N2pc in those with high levels of autistic traits. There was no difference in the amplitude of the N_T, but P_D amplitude was significantly reduced in the participants with high levels of autistic traits. These results suggest that the allocation of spatial attention differs in those with high levels of autistic traits compared to those with fewer autistic traits; and those with high levels of autistic traits do not appear to suppress irrelevant distracters in a visual array.   

Summary of our new paper: "Cognition and Behaviour in Sotos Syndrome: A Systematic Review"

Lane, C., Milne, E. & Freeth, M.(2016). Cognition and Behaviour in Sotos Syndrome: A Systematic Review. PLoSONE.

Sotos Syndrome: A Summary of the Research

Introduction

Lead researcher: Chloe Lane

Sotos syndrome was first recognised as a syndrome in 1964. Since this time, several studies have investigated cognitive and behavioural features of the syndrome. Cognition has been reported in terms of level of intellectual functioning, as well as more specific abilities such as language. A number of behavioural issues have been identified in some individuals with Sotos syndrome. These include autism spectrum disorder, anxiety and ADHD. The purpose of this review was to identify and summarise all of the research that has reported information about cognition and behaviour in individuals with Sotos. A summary of all of the existing research is helpful in providing an overview of what is currently known about these aspects of the syndrome.

Method

Academic databases were systematically searched to identify all of the research that has reported information about Sotos syndrome. The search yielded 917 results and these were checked in order to identify research that provided information about cognition or behaviour in Sotos syndrome. After screening all of these articles, 34 papers were considered relevant for the review. Below is a brief summary of each of the main findings from the review.

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

Several studies (25) have measured IQ in individuals with Sotos syndrome. IQ scores are obtained by administering a series of tasks that measure cognitive abilities such as memory, language and reasoning. IQ scores are calculated by taking into account performance on each of the individual tasks. The scores therefore provide an indication of the general level of intellectual functioning of an individual. An IQ score of 100 is the average score for the general population. Scores in the range of 70 – 84 are considered to be in the borderline range and scores below 70 indicate that an individual has a learning disability. The existing research suggests that the majority of individuals with Sotos syndrome have a mild learning disability or are in the borderline range. However, scores that have been reported within these studies have ranged from 21 – 113, indicating that intellectual ability in individuals with Sotos can range from severe learning disability to above average cognitive ability.

Language

Language abilities have been investigated in 13 studies. The findings from these studies suggest that language abilities are consistent with general level of intellectual functioning. This means that if a child with Sotos has a mild learning disability, their language skills will likely be at the same level as would be expected from any other child with a mild learning disability. Children with Sotos may display speech and language delays and experience greater difficulty with expressive, compared to receptive language. This means that they are likely to have a good understanding of language but have difficulty communicating and expressing ideas.

Aggression and Tantrums

Aggressive behaviour and tantrums have been reported in a small number of studies (6). All of the participants in these studies were children with Sotos syndrome. Although these issues have been reported in several children with Sotos, it is not clear whether these issues are specifically linked to Sotos. One suggestion is that children with Sotos may become frustrated as they are often larger than their peers and therefore mistaken as being older or more able than their actual developmental level.

Autistic Features

Four studies have reported individuals with Sotos syndrome who also have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This suggests that there may be an association between Sotos and ASD but this has not been explored in detail.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD may be another common behavioural issue associated with Sotos syndrome. Eight studies have investigated ADHD in Sotos syndrome and several individuals were reported to meet criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD. In addition, a small number of individuals were described as being inattentive, hyperactive or demonstrating a lack of inhibition. These are all symptoms that are commonly associated with ADHD.

Anxiety

Two studies have investigated anxiety in individuals with Sotos syndrome. The existing research suggests that anxiety may be a common issue associated with Sotos syndrome. Specifically, it seems that individuals with Sotos are likely to display separation anxiety (anxiety provoked by separation from a parent or caregiver), be anxious in new situations and have some form of phobia.

Conclusion

To date, a total of 34 studies have provided insight into the cognitive and behavioural features of Sotos syndrome. The common themes arising from the review are explained above. As much of the existing research is based on small samples of children with Sotos, it will be important for future research to investigate cognition and behaviour in larger groups of individuals with Sotos. This will be beneficial in identifying what to expect from a child with Sotos. In addition, it will be important to investigate cognition and behaviour in adults with Sotos as very little is currently known about cognitive abilities and behavioural issues in adults with Sotos.

For the full paper, please see:

Lane, C., Milne, E. & Freeth, M. (2016). Cognition and Behaviour in Sotos Syndrome: A Systematic Review. PLoS ONE.