Neurobiological Correlates of Language Dysfunction in autism Spectrum Disorders

描述（由申请人提供）：语言功能障碍是自闭症谱系障碍的主要特征之一。不到50%的自闭症儿童是语言的，其中大多数表现出显着的语用障碍，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。最近几项针对非自闭症语言障碍儿童的研究表明，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相关程度。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妥协。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MRI数据，这些数据将进行定量分析，特别是关于布罗卡区和韦尼克区的体积不对称性。多重对应分析将用于检查功能，结构和行为措施之间的相互关系。为了捕捉自闭症语言变异的全部范围，将从五组自闭症谱系障碍儿童中获得数据。特定的ASD组是（A）非言语型自闭症儿童，（B）言语型但具有非功能性语言的自闭症儿童，如缺乏两个单词短语所指示的，（C）具有功能性但受损的语言的自闭症儿童[CELF<81]，（D）具有相对正常的功能性语言的自闭症儿童[CELF>81]，以及（E）具有艾氏综合征和相对正常的功能性语言的儿童。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定语言障碍的儿童;自闭症谱系障碍是一种神经生物学疾病，其特征是语言和社交技能受损。公共卫生相关性：语言能力是长期结果的最佳预测指标之一，但这些在条件下可能存在很大差异，一些自闭症儿童表现出接近正常的语言能力，而另一些则完全不言语。该项目使用多种大脑成像技术来评估基本听觉技能如何影响语言发展和能力。通过更好地了解语言缺陷的生物学，可以开发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.