A more precise look at context in autism
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans the biological, physical, and social sciences.
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0 of 13 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged
- Interpretationreasoning§ A more precise look at context in autism
Precision within predictive coding gives divisive normalization a biologically plausible role beyond local excitation/inhibition balance.
“Crucially, the operation of precision within the predictive coding framework furnishes divisive normalization with a biologically plausible role beyond excitation/ inhibition balance in local cortical circuits.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ A more precise look at context in autism
Even precise visual responses at one cortical level may be down-weighted if higher-level prediction precision requires it.
“Furthermore, even precise (or disinhibited) visual responses within a single level of the cortical hierarchy may still be down-weighted if the precision of predictions at a higher level (e.g., NMDAmediated synaptic gain) mandates this.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation§ A more precise look at context in autism
Adaptive perception and action depend on accurately estimating fluctuations in the precision of environmental contingencies.
“Finally, beyond a single sensory event, adaptive perception and action rests on the accurate estimation of fluctuations in the precision of environmental contingencies (5).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [5] 5. Iglesias S, et al. (2013) Hierarchical prediction errors in midbrain and basal forebrain during sensory learning. Neuron 80(2):519-530. source
Not checked in the free run.
- Premisecitation§ A more precise look at context in autism
This role involves the postsynaptic gain of superficial pyramidal cells that encode prediction error.
“This role lies in the postsynaptic gain of superficial pyramidal cells encoding the prediction error within a cortical hierarchy”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [2] 2. Friston K (2008) Hierarchical models in the brain. PLOS Comput Biol 4(11):e1000211. source
Not checked in the free run.
- Interpretationreasoning§ A more precise look at context in autism
In the three examples above, precision functions as a form of divisive normalization, where variance across broad perceptual regions and timescales acts as a denominator to scale driving neural responses.
“In all three examples above, precision functions as a form of divisive normalizationwhere variance measured across a broad pool of perceptual regions and timescales acts as a denominator in a divisive computation-to scale or contextualize the driving neural responses to sensory input (not unlike dividing a difference in group means by its SE to form a t-statistic).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- Interpretationcitation§ A more precise look at context in autism
This estimation globally scales the weight on sensory evidence relative to prior beliefs.
“and this estimation globally scales the weight one should place on sensory evidence relative to prior beliefs.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [5] 5. Iglesias S, et al. (2013) Hierarchical prediction errors in midbrain and basal forebrain during sensory learning. Neuron 80(2):519-530. source
Not checked in the free run.
- Interpretationcitation§ A more precise look at context in autism
Reducing sensory precision from the top down offers a hierarchically and biologically plausible explanation for the attentional field that Rosenberg et al. modeled.
“providing a hierarchically and biologically plausible account of the”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites [1] 1. Rosenberg A, Patterson JS, Angelaki DE (2015) A computational perspective on autism. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 112(30): 9158-9165. source
Not checked in the free run.
- cites [4] 4. Feldman H, Friston KJ (2010) Attention, uncertainty, and free-energy. Front Hum Neurosci 4:215. source
Not checked in the free run.
- Interpretationcitation§ A more precise look at context in autism
Increased sensory precision could result from weaker lateral inhibition or gain control in the visual cortex.
“In fact, increased sensory precision could arise from weaker lateral inhibition or gain control in the visual cortex, exactly as formulated in Rosenberg et al. (1).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [1] 1. Rosenberg A, Patterson JS, Angelaki DE (2015) A computational perspective on autism. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 112(30): 9158-9165. source
Not checked in the free run.
- Interpretationcitation§ A more precise look at context in autism
Nonhierarchical neuromodulators putatively track environmental volatility over time.
“Here, nonhierarchical neuromodulators (e.g., acetylcholine, norepinephrine) putatively track the volatility in the environment across time”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [5] 5. Iglesias S, et al. (2013) Hierarchical prediction errors in midbrain and basal forebrain during sensory learning. Neuron 80(2):519-530. source
Not checked in the free run.
- Premisecitation§ A more precise look at context in autism
This role also involves the integrity of neuromodulatory function.
“and lies in the integrity of neuromodulatory function (2).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [2] 2. Friston K (2008) Hierarchical models in the brain. PLOS Comput Biol 4(11):e1000211. source
Not checked in the free run.
- Premisecitation§ A more precise look at context in autism
Reducing sensory precision from the top down explains psychophysical and physiological features of attention.
“Top-down attenuation of sensory precision accounts for psychophysical and physiological aspects of attention (4)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [4] 4. Feldman H, Friston KJ (2010) Attention, uncertainty, and free-energy. Front Hum Neurosci 4:215. source
Not checked in the free run.
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 4
- May combine two claims. 2
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Interpretationcitation§ A more precise look at context in autismPrecision-weighting in autism could be aberrant in multiple ways, each leading to context-insensitive perception and action.
“Precision-weighting in autism could be aberrant in a number of ways, each resulting in context-insensitive perception and action (3); however, these are empirical questions that we look forward to seeing addressed with time.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [3] 3. Lawson RP, Rees G, Friston KJ (2014) An aberrant precision account of autism. Front Hum Neurosci 8:302. source
Not checked in the free run.
May combine two claims.
Interpretationnone given§ A more precise look at context in autismPrecision-weighting and divisive normalization both serve to contextualize neural responses.
“Precision-weighting and divisive normalization are both mechanisms that serve to contextualize neural responses.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Premisecitation§ A more precise look at context in autismPredictive coding frameworks propose that the relative influence of prior beliefs versus sensory evidence is governed by the precision of higher-level predictions relative to sensory precision.
“Predictive coding frameworks for sensory perception propose that the influence of prior beliefs, relative to sensory evidence, is controlled by the precision (reliability or confidence) of predictions at higher levels of a hierarchical model relative to sensory precision (2).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [2] 2. Friston K (2008) Hierarchical models in the brain. PLOS Comput Biol 4(11):e1000211. source
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Premisecitation§ A more precise look at context in autismAn account of autism proposes that sensory precision is abnormally high relative to prior beliefs.
“A neurobiological account of aberrant precision in autism has recently been proposed (3) in which sensory precision is too high relative to the precision of prior beliefs.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [3] 3. Lawson RP, Rees G, Friston KJ (2014) An aberrant precision account of autism. Front Hum Neurosci 8:302. source
Not checked in the free run.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
Premisecitation§ A more precise look at context in autismRosenberg et al. (2015) explain the perceptual symptoms of autism as resulting from a failure of divisive normalization.
“In a recent paper, Rosenberg et al. (1) present a compelling explanation for the perceptual symptoms of autism in terms of a failure of divisive normalization.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [1] 1. Rosenberg A, Patterson JS, Angelaki DE (2015) A computational perspective on autism. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 112(30): 9158-9165. source
Not checked in the free run.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Recent neurocomputational accounts propose that aberrant volatility signalling could cause pathological neural gain, matching autism's cognitive and perceptual profile.
“Recent neurocomputational accounts of autism have proposed that aberrant signalling of volatility could result in pathological neural gain, consistent with the cognitive and perceptual profile of autism such as enhanced perceptual functioning, sensory overload and context insensitivity4–6,20.”
From Adults with autism overestimate the volatility of the sensory environment (2017) · cites this paper as [6]
In the main text (page unavailable), the paper links environmental volatility to the weighting of sensory evidence, links precision to neural gain, and proposes that aberrant precision-weighting in autism could produce context-insensitive perception. It does not specifically propose aberrant volatility signalling as the cause of pathological neural gain, or discuss sensory overload and enhanced perceptual functioning as outcomes of that mechanism. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe aberrant precision account of ASD proposes that difficulties in high-level volatility learning, together with ratified neuromodulatory changes, underlie the challenges experienced by autistic people.
“Under the aberrant precision account of ASD it is problems with high-level learning about volatility, and the ratified neuromodulatory changes, that is hypothesised to underlie the difficulties faced by people on the spectrum 4–6.”
From Adults with autism overestimate the volatility of the sensory environment (2017) · cites this paper as [6]
In “A more precise look at context in autism” (page not specified), the paper links adaptive perception and action to estimating environmental volatility and says neuromodulators putatively track it. It also proposes that aberrant precision-weighting could produce context-insensitive perception and action, but does not specifically say that impaired high-level volatility learning and neuromodulatory changes together underlie autistic people's difficulties; it calls the mechanisms empirical questions. (LLM, conf=0.83)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredBy extension, all Bayesian accounts suggest that, beyond one ambiguous sensory event, learning about structural regularities-forming priors-is probably impaired in ASD.
“However, by logical extension, beyond a single ambiguous sensory event, all Bayesian accounts imply that dynamic learning about structural regularities (i.e. the formation of priors) is likely impaired in ASD 2–7.”
From Adults with autism overestimate the volatility of the sensory environment (2017) · cites this paper as [6]
In “A more precise look at context in autism” (page not provided), the authors say that perception beyond a single sensory event depends on estimating changes in environmental contingencies, and that precision-weighting could be aberrant in autism. They do not say that all Bayesian accounts imply impaired learning of structural regularities or formation of priors; they describe the possible abnormalities as empirical questions. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe study's results offer initial support for Bayesian models of autism that focus on atypical volatility representation and incorrect gain setting on cortical prediction errors under uncertainty.
“Importantly, these findings provide preliminary empirical evidence for neurobiologically informed Bayesian accounts of autism that emphasise aberrant representation of volatility and, consequently, inappropriate setting of gain (precision) on cortical responses (prediction errors) 4,6 under conditions of uncertainty.”
From Adults with autism overestimate the volatility of the sensory environment (2017) · cites this paper as [6]
In “A more precise look at context in autism” (page not available), the paper links environmental volatility to precision-weighting, identifies prediction-error gain as a cortical mechanism, and proposes that precision-weighting may be aberrant in autism. It does not specifically say that volatility is aberrantly represented in autism or establish that this causes inappropriate gain. The citing authors’ statement about their findings providing preliminary evidence is their own conclusion, not a result attributed to this source. (LLM, conf=0.83)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredBayesian accounts of perception in ASD propose that underweighting prior expectations relative to sensory input produces the condition's perceptual atypicalities.
“Bayesian theories of perception in ASD1 propose that reduced weighting of prior expectations, relative to sensory inputs, leads to the perceptual atypicalities associated with the condition2–7”
From Adults with autism overestimate the volatility of the sensory environment (2017) · cites this paper as [6]
Aberrant phasic NA may change the signal-to-noise ratio of cortical responses, broaden sensory tuning functions, and improve discrimination behaviour.
“Aberrant phasic NA (c.f precision on prediction errors4,6) may alter the signal-to-noise ratio of cortical responses 41,42, broaden the tuning functions of sensory responses and, subsequently improve discrimination behaviour43.”
From Adults with autism overestimate the volatility of the sensory environment (2017) · cites this paper as [6]
Greater pupil encoding of prediction errors fits with neurobiologically oriented Bayesian models of autism that highlight impaired neural gain from atypical neuromodulatory function.
“Heightened encoding of prediction errors in pupil size measures is consistent with neurobiologically focused Bayesian accounts of autism, that emphasise neural gain impairments due to aberrant neuromodulatory funcion4–6.”
From Adults with autism overestimate the volatility of the sensory environment (2017) · cites this paper as [6]
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Attention, uncertainty, and free-energy
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A computational perspective on autism
Rosenberg, A., Patterson, J. S., & Angelaki, D. E. (2015) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1510583112 · Cited by 156 · see citing works
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Autistic adults show preserved normalisation of sensory responses in gaze processing
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A Neuroanatomical Substrate Linking Perceptual Stability to Cognitive Rigidity in Autism
Watanabe, T., Lawson, R. P., Walldén, Y., & Rees, G. E. (2019) · Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.2831-18.2019 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Neuroscience of Suicidal Behavior
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Preserved low-level visual gain control in autistic adults
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Sensory perception in autism: an fMRI ALE meta-analysisPreprint
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Interoception in Autism, Pitfalls, and Promise: A Participatory Research Perspective
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Hennig, J., Doose, A., Breier, C. M., Soutschek, A., Beyer, N., Schweinberger, S. R., Kamp‐Becker, I., Poustka, L., Albertowski, K., Roessner, V., et al. (2024) · Autism Research · doi:10.1002/aur.3283 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Reply to Lawson et al.: A synergistic approach to mental health research
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(2018) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781316563205.013
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van Heeringen, K. (2018) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781316563205.005
van Heeringen, K. (2018) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781316563205.012
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Theriault, J. E. (2022) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/42juc
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- Authors
- Lawson, R. P., Friston, K. J., & Rees, G.
- Affiliations
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging (GB)
- Venue
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Publisher
- National Academy of Sciences
- Published
- 2015-09-10
- Volume
- 112
- Issue
- 38
- Pages
- E5226-E5226
- ISSN
- 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
- 1091-6490
- PMC
- PMC4586879
- OpenAlex
- W1926425135
- Cited by
- 41
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Wellcome Trust (100227, 088130)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, context, social environment
- MeSH terms
- Autistic Disorder, Humans, Nerve Net, Vision, Ocular
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