Abstract
BackgroundNeurobiological research in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has paid little attention on brain mechanisms that cause and maintain restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBIs). Evidence indicates an imbalance in the brain’s reward system responsiveness to social and non-social stimuli may contribute to both social deficits and RRBIs. Thus, this study’s central aim was to compare brain responsiveness to individual RRBI (i.e., circumscribed interests), with social rewards (i.e., social approval), in youth with ASD relative to typically developing controls (TDCs).MethodsWe conducted a 3T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study to investigate the blood-oxygenation-level-dependent effect of personalized circumscribed interest rewards versus social rewards in 39 youth with ASD relative to 22 TDC. To probe the reward system, we employed short video clips as reinforcement in an instrumental incentive delay task. This optimization increased the task’s ecological validity compared to still pictures that are often used in this line of research.ResultsCompared to TDCs, youth with ASD had stronger reward system responses for CIs mostly within the non-social realm (e.g., video games) than social rewards (e.g., approval). Additionally, this imbalance within the caudate nucleus’ responsiveness was related to greater social impairment.ConclusionsThe current data support the idea of reward system dysfunction that may contribute to enhanced motivation for RRBIs in ASD, accompanied by diminished motivation for social engagement. If a dysregulated reward system indeed supports the emergence and maintenance of social and non-social symptoms of ASD, then strategically targeting the reward system in future treatment endeavors may allow for more efficacious treatment practices that help improve outcomes for individuals with ASD and their families.
Highlights
Neurobiological research in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has paid little attention on brain mechanisms that cause and maintain restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBIs)
The imbalance between motivation for social versus non-social stimuli is reflected in the responsiveness of the brain’s reward system [4]. This hypothesis posits that some RRBIs may originate, in part, from the reward system being hyper-reactive for circumscribed interests (CIs)
Phenotypic measures For this study, we developed the Interest Preference Assessment (IPA), a short interview adapted from the Interests Scale [24, 25], to directly evaluate each child’s most favorite interest/hobby to be used in the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) task
Summary
Neurobiological research in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has paid little attention on brain mechanisms that cause and maintain restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBIs). Neurobiological research in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has largely focused on social communication impairments, with much less attention on brain mechanisms that cause and maintain restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBIs) [1]. The imbalance between motivation for social versus non-social stimuli is reflected in the responsiveness of the brain’s reward system [4] This hypothesis posits that some RRBIs may originate, in part, from the reward system being hyper-reactive for circumscribed interests (CIs). Findings of altered reward system responsiveness in ASD have generally been interpreted as potential neural signatures of decreased motivation to seek and appreciate these types of “conventional” desires
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