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会严重限制自闭症谱系障碍患者的认知和社会发展以及长期结果（如独立生活的能力）的障碍。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。我们建议研究自闭症儿童听觉和视听言语感知相关的神经反应。为此，我们将EEG/ERP和眼动追踪技术配对，收集感知数据，以识别与语言结果相关的生物标志物。此外，我们将包括一个新的控制组的儿童与障碍的口语。患有口语障碍的儿童与患有ASD的儿童在语言方面存在缺陷，但在社会互惠方面没有表现出主要缺陷。因此，这种比较将使我们能够梳理出语言和社会因素对ASD儿童语言功能问题的贡献。此外，使用单一主题的设计，我们将试点集中的语音感知训练，以评估这种方法的有效性，以改善听觉和视听言语的ASD儿童的感知。识别言语感知的潜在生物标志物将显着促进我们对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个体的语言功能生物标志物的识别，有助于实现IACC ASD研究战略计划的目标。具体来说，这项工作将1）解决如何语音处理与自闭症谱系障碍的语言功能范围相关（异质性），2）导致开发一种工具，可以早期识别出患有ASD的儿童，这些儿童具有最大的语言缺陷风险（早期检测）和3）评估明确设计用于训练ASD儿童听觉和视听感知技能的干预措施（制定有针对性的干预措施）。 公共卫生相关性：语言技能的缺陷可能会严重限制自闭症谱系障碍患者的认知和社会发展以及长期结果（如独立生活的能力）的障碍。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：语言功能的变异性。使用非侵入性，无痛技术，我们将评估自闭症儿童的大脑反应和凝视模式，这些儿童表现出一系列语言功能。确定视听语音处理过程中潜在的大脑反应将大大促进我们对ASD语言缺陷原因的科学认识。具体而言，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，以1）解决语音处理如何与ASD的语言功能范围相关（异质性），2）导致开发一种工具，可以早期识别出患有ASD的儿童，这些儿童具有最大的语言缺陷风险（早期检测）和3）评估明确设计用于训练ASD儿童听觉和视听感知技能的干预措施（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).