Neurobiological Correlates of Language Dysfunction in autism Spectrum Disorders

描述（由申请人提供）：语言障碍是自闭症谱系障碍的主要特征之一。不到50%的自闭症儿童有语言能力，其中大多数表现出严重的语用障碍，损害了语言技能的功能质量。该项目旨在更好地定义自闭症谱系障碍中语言多样性的神经生物学相关性。最近几项针对患有语言障碍的非自闭症儿童的研究表明，许多语言障碍可以追溯到听觉处理的基本缺陷，特别是在处理快速变化的语言信息方面。本研究旨在确定自闭症儿童的基本听觉处理问题与语言功能障碍的关联程度。作为研究的一部分，我们还将调查听觉和语言皮层的癫痫样活动在多大程度上可能导致语言障碍。将获得语言和听觉功能的行为和心理物理测量，以及听觉和语言处理的电生理（EEG和MEG）测量。我们还将获得结构性MRI数据，这些数据将进行定量分析，特别是关于Broca's和Wernicke's区域的体积不对称。多重对应分析将用于检查功能、结构和行为测量之间的相互关系。为了全面了解自闭症患者的语言差异，将从五组自闭症谱系障碍儿童中获得数据。具体的ASD群体是(A)非语言自闭症儿童，(B)语言能力强但语言功能不强的自闭症儿童，以缺乏两个单词短语为指标，(C)语言功能受损的自闭症儿童[CELF<81], (D)语言功能相对正常的自闭症儿童[CELF bb0 81]，以及(E)患有亚斯伯格综合症但语言功能相对正常的自闭症儿童。我们还将收集两个对照组的数据——正常对照儿童和没有自闭症但有特殊语言障碍的儿童；自闭症谱系障碍是一种以语言和社交技能受损为特征的神经生物学疾病。公共健康相关性：语言能力是长期预后的最佳预测指标之一，但在不同的情况下，语言能力可能会有很大的变化，一些自闭症儿童表现出接近正常的语言能力，而另一些则完全没有语言能力。这个项目使用多种脑成像技术来评估基本听觉技能对语言发展和能力的影响。通过更好地了解语言缺陷的生物学，可以开发出更好的治疗干预措施。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Language dysfunction is one of the cardinal characteristics of the autism spectrum disorders. Less than 50% of autistic children are verbal, and most of these demonstrate significant pragmatic impairments that compromise the functional quality of verbal skills. This project seeks to better define the neurobiological correlates of language diversity within the autism spectrum disorders. Several recent studies of non-autistic children with language impairments suggest that many difficulties in language can be traced to fundamental deficits in auditory processing, especially with respect to the processing of rapidly changing linguistic information. This study seeks to determine the extent to which basic auditory processing problems are associated with language dysfunction in children with autism. As part of the study we will also investigate the extent to which epileptiform activity in auditory and language cortices may be contributing to language compromise. Behavioral and psychophysical measures of language and auditory functioning will be obtained, as will electrophysiological (EEG and MEG) measures of auditory and language processing. We will also acquire structural MRI data that will be subjected to quantitative analyses, especially with respect to volumetric asymmetries for Broca's and Wernicke's areas. Multiple correspondence analyses will be used to examine the inter-relationships between functional, structural, and behavioral measures. In order to capture the full range of language variability in autism, data will be obtained from five groups of children with autism spectrum disorders. The specific ASD groups are (A) non-verbal autistic children, (B) autistic children that are verbal but with non-functional language as indexed by a lack of two word phrases, (C) autistic children with functional but impaired language [CELF<81], (D) autistic children with relatively normal functional language [CELF>81], and (E) children with Asperger's syndrome and relatively normal functional language. We will also collect data from two comparison groups -- normal control children and children without autism but with specific language impairment Project Narrative; Autism Spectrum Disorders are a neurobiological condition characterized by impaired language and social skills. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Language abilities are one of the best predictors of long-term outcome, but these can be highly variable in the condition, some children with autism showing near normal language abilities while others are completely non-verbal. This project uses multiple brain imaging techniques to evaluate how basic auditory [hearing] skills impact language development and ability. By better understanding the biology of language deficits, better therapeutic interventions can be developed.