Neurobiological signatures of audiovisual speech perception in children in ASD

描述(由申请人提供)：语言技能的缺陷可能严重限制自闭症谱系障碍的个人，在认知和社会发展以及长期结果，如独立生活的能力方面造成障碍。该项目直接解决了自闭症谱系障碍(ASD)研究中的一个关键问题：语言功能的异质性。我们建议研究ASD儿童与听觉和视听言语知觉相关的神经反应。为此，我们将把EEG/ERP和眼球跟踪技术配对，以收集感知数据，以确定与语言结果相关的生物标记物。此外，我们还将包括一组新的口语障碍儿童。有口语障碍的儿童与自闭症儿童有共同的语言缺陷，但在社会互惠方面没有表现出主要的缺陷。因此，这种比较将使我们能够梳理出语言和社会因素对自闭症儿童语言功能问题的贡献。此外，我们将使用单一受试者的设计，试行有针对性的言语感知训练，以评估这种方法在改善自闭症儿童对听觉和视听言语的感知方面的有效性。识别言语感知的潜在生物标记物将极大地促进我们对ASD语言缺陷原因的科学知识，并通过针对自闭症谱系中受影响的个人语言功能中的生物标记物的识别，为IACC ASD研究战略计划的目标做出贡献。具体地说，这项工作将1)解决语音处理与ASD语言功能范围(异质性)之间的关系，2)开发一种工具，可能导致早期发现具有严重语言缺陷风险的ASD儿童(更早发现)，以及3)评估明确旨在训练ASD儿童听觉和视听知觉技能的干预措施(制定有针对性的干预措施)。 公共卫生相关性：语言技能缺陷可能会严重限制自闭症谱系障碍患者的发展，对认知和社会发展以及长期结果造成障碍，例如独立生活的能力。该项目直接解决了自闭症谱系障碍(ASD)研究中的一个关键问题：语言功能的可变性。使用一种无创、无痛的技术，我们将评估ASD儿童对说话面孔的大脑反应和凝视模式，这些儿童表现出一系列的语言功能。识别视听语音处理过程中潜在的大脑反应将大大加深我们对ASD语言缺陷原因的科学认识。具体地说，这项工作将有助于实现NIH提出的IACC ASD研究战略计划的目标：1)解决语音处理与ASD语言功能范围的关系(异质性)，2)开发一种工具，可早期发现有严重语言缺陷风险的ASD儿童(更早发现)，3)评估明确旨在训练ASD儿童听觉和视听知觉技能的干预措施(制定有针对性的干预措施)。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Deficits in language skill can be severely limiting for an individual with an autism spectrum disorder, creating barriers in cognitive and social development and in long-term outcomes, such as the ability to live independently. This project directly addresses a critical problem in the study of autism spectrum disorders (ASD); heterogeneity in language functioning. We propose to study the neural response associated with perception of auditory and audiovisual speech in children with ASD. To do this, we will pair EEG/ERP and eye- tracking technology to collect perceptual data to identify biomarkers associated with language outcome. In addition, we will include a novel control group of children with disorders in spoken language. Children with disorders in spoken language share deficits in language with children with ASD, but do not exhibit primary deficits in social reciprocity. Thus, this comparison will allow us to tease apart the contribution of linguistic and social factors to problems in language functioning in children with ASD. Further, using a single-subject design, we will pilot a focused speech perception training to assess the efficacy of this approach for improving perception of auditory and audiovisual speech in children with ASD. Identifying the underlying biomarkers of speech perception will significantly further our scientific knowledge about the causes of language deficits in ASD and contribute to the objectives of the IACC Strategic Plan for ASD Research by targeting identification of biomarkers in language functioning for affected individuals across the autism spectrum. Specifically, this work will 1) address how speech processing correlates with the range of language functioning in ASD (heterogeneity), 2) lead to development of a tool that may result in early identification of children with ASD at greatest risk for significant language deficits (earlier detection) and 3) evaluate an intervention explicitly designed to train auditory and audiovisual perceptual skills in children with ASD (development of targeted interventions). PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Deficits in language skill can be severely limiting for an individual with an autism spectrum disorder, creating barriers in cognitive and social development and in long-term outcomes, such as the ability to live independently. This project directly addresses a critical problem in the study of autism spectrum disorders (ASD); variability in language functioning. Using a non-invasive, painless technique we will assess brain responses and patterns of gaze to speaking faces in children with ASD who exhibit a range of language function. Identifying the underlying brain response during audiovisual speech processing will significantly further our scientific knowledge about the causes of language deficits in ASD. Specifically, this work will contribute to the objectives of the IACC Strategic Plan for ASD Research as set forth by NIH to 1) address how speech processing relates to the range of language functioning in ASD (heterogeneity), 2) lead to development of a tool that may result in early identification of children with ASD at greatest risk for significant language deficits (earlier detection) and 3) evaluate an intervention explicitly designed to train auditory and audiovisual perceptual skills in children with ASD (development of targeted interventions).