Vocal sensorimotor control and voice abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders

项目概要/摘要 这项K23研究的目的是确定潜在的发声感觉运动控制功能障碍及其 自闭症谱系障碍患者临床语音异常与认知僵化的关系 （ASD）。这项研究的基本原理是基于在其他领域功能障碍的明确证据， 功能（例如，听觉处理，运动控制），是不可或缺的讲话和声音的产生，但有 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不足 ASD的功能障碍限制了我们开发针对ASD源的治疗或预防干预的能力。 问题所在因此，本项目旨在剖析和描述异常的具体机制， ASD患者声音的音调、强度和鼻音。具体而言，该提案将是第一个 研究了语音前馈和反馈控制神经（MEG）和心理物理测量， 结合可能与语音相关的认知过程的神经心理学测量 ASD儿童的异常因此，通过评估这些证据驱动的 这些假设不仅将促进我们对更广泛的前馈和反馈控制缺陷的理解， 自闭症患者，但他们也将丰富我们对自闭症背后的功能失调过程的理解。 他们的声音异常，这是一个症状领域，治疗的进展特别 相对于需求而言，不足。这些研究目标也将为候选人提供基础， 通过提供额外的， 在基础言语神经科学，神经影像学，和ASD患者的功能性语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项 R01提案侧重于调查使用感觉反馈操纵来矫正语音的能力 ASD患者的异常情况。

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.