Vocal sensorimotor control and voice abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders

项目摘要/摘要 这项K23研究的目标是确定发声感觉运动控制的潜在功能障碍及其 自闭症谱系障碍患者临床嗓音异常与认知僵硬的关系 (ASD)。这项研究的基本原理是基于其他脑区功能障碍的确凿证据。 功能(例如，听觉处理、运动控制)是语言和声音产生的组成部分，但具有 从未在自闭症患者的发声系统中进行过专门检查。这种对嗓音病因的认识很差 ASD的功能障碍限制了我们开发针对疾病根源的治疗或预防性干预的能力 问题就在这里。因此，这个项目的目的是解剖和表征异常的具体机制。 自闭症患者嗓音的音高、强度和鼻音。具体地说，这项提案将是第一个 语音前馈和反馈控制的神经(脑磁图)和心理物理测量研究 与可能与声音相关的认知过程的神经心理学测量相结合 自闭症儿童的异常。因此，通过评估这些证据驱动获得的知识 假说不仅将促进我们对更广泛的前馈和反馈控制缺陷的理解 ASD的个体，但它们也将丰富我们对潜在功能障碍过程的理解 他们的声音异常，这是一个在治疗方面取得进展的症状领域 与需要相比不够充分。这些研究目标也将为候选人提供一个基础 通过提供额外的资源来实施未来ASD发声的脑成像研究 ASD患者的基础语言神经科学、神经成像和功能嗓音病理学方面的培训。 成功完成本项目的研究和培训活动将有助于制定一个 R01提案侧重于研究使用感觉反馈操作来矫正声音的能力 ASD患者个体的异常。

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT The objectives of this K23 study are to identify underlying dysfunction in vocal sensorimotor control and its relation to clinical voice abnormalities and cognitive rigidity in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The rationale for this study is based upon well-established evidence of dysfunction in other areas of functioning (e.g., auditory processing, motor control) that are integral to speech and voice production, but have never been specifically examined in the vocal system in ASD. This poor understanding of the etiology of voice dysfunction in ASD limits our ability to develop treatment or preventative interventions that target the source of the problem. Thus, this project aims to dissect and characterize the specific mechanisms of abnormalities in the pitch, intensity, and nasality of voice in individuals with ASD. Specifically, this proposal will be the first to investigate neural (MEG) and psychophysical measures of feedforward and feedback control of voice in conjunction with neuropsychological measures of cognitive processes that may be associated with voice abnormalities in children with ASD. Thus, the knowledge to be gained by evaluating these evidence-driven hypotheses will not only advance our understanding of the broader feedforward and feedback control deficits in individuals with ASD, but they will also enrich our understanding of the dysfunctional processes underlying their voice abnormalities, a symptom domain for which advances in treatment have been particularly inadequate relative to need. These study aims also will provide the candidate with a foundation for implementing future independent brain imaging studies of vocalization in ASD through provision of additional training in basic speech neuroscience, neuroimaging, and functional voice pathology of individuals with ASD. Successful completion of the research and training activities in this project will inform the development of an R01 proposal focused on investigating the ability to use sensory feedback manipulation to remediate voice abnormalities in individuals with ASD.