Somatosensory temporal sensitivity in adults on the autism spectrum: A high‐density electrophysiological mapping study using the mismatch negativity (MMN) sensory memory paradigm

Author:

Isenstein Emily L.123,Freedman Edward G.1,Molholm Sophie14ORCID,Foxe John J.134ORCID

Affiliation:

1. The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Rochester New York USA

2. Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences University of Rochester Rochester New York USA

3. Center for Visual Science University of Rochester Rochester New York USA

4. The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center Bronx New York USA

Abstract

AbstractAtypical reactivity to somatosensory inputs is common in autism spectrum disorder and carries considerable impact on downstream social communication and quality of life. While behavioral and survey work have established differences in the perception of somatosensory information, little has been done to elucidate the underlying neurophysiological processes that drive these characteristics. Here, we implemented a duration‐based somatosensory mismatch negativity (MMN) paradigm to examine the role of temporal sensitivity and sensory memory in the processing of vibrotactile information in autistic (n = 30) and neurotypical (n = 30) adults. To capture the variability in responses between groups across a range of duration discrepancies, we compared the electrophysiological responses to frequent standard vibrations (100 ms) and four infrequent deviant vibrations (115, 130, 145, and 160 ms). The same stimuli were used in a follow‐up behavioral task to determine active detection of the infrequent vibrations. We found no differences between the two groups with regard to discrimination between standard and deviant vibrations, demonstrating comparable neurologic and behavioral temporal somatosensory perception. However, exploratory analyses yielded subtle differences in amplitude at the N1 and P220 time points. Together, these results indicate that the temporal mechanisms of somatosensory discrimination are conserved in adults on the autism spectrum, though more general somatosensory processing may be affected. We discuss these findings in the broader context of the MMN literature in autism, as well as the potential role of cortical maturity in somatosensory mechanisms.

Funder

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

National Institutes of Health

Publisher

Wiley

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