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Cited by 93Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchNeural dynamics and brain functionNeuroscience and Music Perception

Reduced auditory steady state responses in autism spectrum disorder

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Seymour, R. A., Rippon, G., Gooding-Williams, G., Sowman, P. F., Kessler, K.·2020·Molecular Autism
DOI 10.1186/s13229-020-00357-yPMC PMC7329477

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Abstract

Background: Auditory steady state responses (ASSRs) are elicited by clicktrains or amplitude-modulated tones, which entrain auditory cortex at their specific modulation rate. Previous research has reported reductions in ASSRs at 40 Hz for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) participants and first-degree relatives of people diagnosed with ASD (Mol Autism. 2011;2:11, Biol Psychiatry. 2007;62:192–197). Methods: Using a 1.5 s-long auditory clicktrain stimulus, designed to elicit an ASSR at 40 Hz, this study attempted to replicate and extend these findings. Magnetencephalography (MEG) data were collected from 18 adolescent ASD participants and 18 typically developing controls. Results: The ASSR localised to bilateral primary auditory regions. Regions of interest were thus defined in left and right primary auditory cortex (A1). While the transient gamma-band response (tGBR) from 0-0.1 s following presentation of the clicktrain stimulus was not different between groups, for either left or right A1, the ASD group had reduced oscillatory power at 40 Hz from 0.5 to 1.5 s post-stimulus onset, for both left and right A1. Additionally, the ASD group had reduced inter-trial coherence (phase consistency over trials) at 40 Hz from 0.64-0.82 s for right A1 and 1.04-1.22 s for left A1. Limitations: In this study, we did not conduct a clinical autism assessment (e.g. the ADOS), and therefore, it remains unclear whether ASSR power and/or ITC are associated with the clinical symptoms of ASD. Conclusion: Overall, our results support a specific reduction in ASSR oscillatory power and inter-trial coherence in ASD, rather than a generalised deficit in gamma-band responses. We argue that this could reflect a developmentally relevant reduction in non-linear neural processing.

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Cited by

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Authors
Seymour, R. A., Rippon, G., Gooding-Williams, G., Sowman, P. F., & Kessler, K.
Affiliations
  • Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging (GB)
  • Aston University (GB)
  • Macquarie University (AU)
Corresponding author
  • Seymour, R. A.
  • Kessler, K.
ORCID
Venue
Molecular Autism
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2020-07-01
Volume
11
Issue
1
Pages
56-56
ISSN
2040-2392 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s13229-020-00357-y
PMC
PMC7329477
OpenAlex
W3038681662
Cited by
93
References
11
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 2
FWCI
5.47
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Molecular Autism (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Wellcome Trust
  • Macquarie University
  • Aston University
  • Tommy's
  • Economic and Social Research Council (ES/I019545/1)
  • Australian Research Council (DP170103148)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Music Perception
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, auditory steady-state response, primary auditory cortex, 40 Hz oscillations, inter-trial phase coherence, adolescent autism
MeSH terms
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Acoustic Stimulation, Adolescent, Auditory Cortex, Behavior, Female, Humans, Male, Gamma Rhythm

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