Atypical face processing and resistance to change in children with autism and their evolution throughout therapy

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Atypical face processing and resistance to change in children with autism and their evolution throughout therapy Emilie Meaux1*, Pascale Dansard2, Romuald Blanc2, Joëlle Malvy2, Catherine Barthélémy2, Frédérique Bonnet-Brilhault2, Marie Gomot2 and Magali Batty2 1 INSERM U930, Team 1, France 2 UMRS « Imagerie et cerveau », INSERM U930 Team 1, CNRS ERL 3106, Université François Rabelais de Tours, CHRU de Tours, France Difficulties in social interaction (e.g. face processing) and resistance to change are main features of autism (ASDs) and the brain processes underlying these aspects of the disorder are reported to be abnormal. Based on the neurodevelopemental theory of autism, the exchange and development therapy (EDT) consists in the early re-education of the basic neurophysiologic functions. Previous studies have confirmed the efficiency of the EDT in ASDs, showing a decrease of the inappropriate behaviours and an increase in cognitive and social abilities. However, the cerebral correlates that underlie these improvements have never been studied. The first aim of this study was to investigate neural basis of face processing and auditory change-detection in children with ASDs through electrophysiological indices (N170, MMN). The Second purpose was to investigate the evolution of those indices before and after the EDT and to test whether these are related to clinical improvements using SCEB (socio-emotional skills) and BSE-R scale (change detection abilities). ASDs displayed abnormal visual ERPs in response to face (P1, N170) and atypical MMN compared to controls confirming that these two processes, involved in social adaptation, are affected in autism. Moreover one year after the beginning of the therapy, all the clinical, behavioural and electrophysiological indices appear to be affected by the EDT. These preliminary findings are very encouraging and suggest an effect of therapy on brain development in agreement with the principles of the EDT. Keywords: autism, Neuropsychiatry Conference: XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI), Palma, Mallorca, Spain, 25 Sep - 29 Sep, 2011. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Poster Sessions: Neuropsychiatric Applications Citation: Meaux E, Dansard P, Blanc R, Malvy J, Barthélémy C, Bonnet-Brilhault F, Gomot M and Batty M (2011). Atypical face processing and resistance to change in children with autism and their evolution throughout therapy. Conference Abstract: XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI). doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2011.207.00234 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 21 Nov 2011; Published Online: 28 Nov 2011. * Correspondence: Dr. Emilie Meaux, INSERM U930, Team 1, Tours, France, e.meaux@chu-tours.fr Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Emilie Meaux Pascale Dansard Romuald Blanc Joëlle Malvy Catherine Barthélémy Frédérique Bonnet-Brilhault Marie Gomot Magali Batty Google Emilie Meaux Pascale Dansard Romuald Blanc Joëlle Malvy Catherine Barthélémy Frédérique Bonnet-Brilhault Marie Gomot Magali Batty Google Scholar Emilie Meaux Pascale Dansard Romuald Blanc Joëlle Malvy Catherine Barthélémy Frédérique Bonnet-Brilhault Marie Gomot Magali Batty PubMed Emilie Meaux Pascale Dansard Romuald Blanc Joëlle Malvy Catherine Barthélémy Frédérique Bonnet-Brilhault Marie Gomot Magali Batty Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.