Global motion evoked potentials in autistic and dyslexic children: A cross-syndrome approach

Lisa Toffoli,Gaia Scerif,Margaret J Snowling,Anthony M Norcia,Catherine Manning

doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2021.06.018

Lisa Toffoli, Gaia Scerif + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2021.06.018

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Abstract

Atypicalities in psychophysical thresholds for global motion processing have been reported in many neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism and dyslexia. Cross-syndrome comparisons of neural dynamics may help determine whether altered motion processing is a general marker of atypical development or condition-specific. Here, we assessed group differences in N2 peak amplitude (previously proposed as a marker of motion-specific processing) in typically developing (n = 57), autistic (n = 29) and dyslexic children (n = 44) aged 6–14 years, in two global motion tasks. High-density EEG data were collected while children judged the direction of global motion stimuli as quickly and accurately as possible, following a period of random motion. Using a data-driven component decomposition technique, we identified a reliable component that was maximal over occipital electrodes and had an N2-like peak at ~160 msec. We found no group differences in N2 peak amplitude, in either task. However, for both autistic and dyslexic children, there was evidence of atypicalities in later stages of processing that require follow up in future research. Our results suggest that early sensory encoding of motion information is unimpaired in dyslexic and autistic children. Group differences in later processing stages could reflect sustained global motion responses, decision-making, metacognitive processes and/or response generation, which may also distinguish between autistic and dyslexic individuals.

Highlights

Motion perception plays an important role in the developing visual system, influencing cognitive abilities and actions (Braddick et al, 2003)
We found no significant group differences in an N2-like peak identified by reliable components analysis
We used high-density EEG and a data-driven component decomposition technique to compare the motion-specific N2like peak elicited by global motion onset in a motion coherence and direction integration task, in 57 typically developing, 29 autistic and 44 dyslexic children

Summary

Introduction

Motion perception plays an important role in the developing visual system, influencing cognitive abilities and actions (Braddick et al, 2003). Elevated motion coherence thresholds have been reported in individuals with autism (Van der Hallen et al, 2019) and dyslexia (Benassi et al, 2010). Van der Hallen et al (2019) analysed 28 studies comparing coherent motion perception in autistic individuals and control participants and found a small mean effect (.33), reflecting reduced sensitivity to coherent motion in the autistic population. Benassi et al (2010) reported a larger effect in their meta-analysis of 35 studies comparing coherent motion sensitivity in dyslexic individuals and age-matched control participants (d 1⁄4 .75), with reduced sensitivity to coherent motion in dyslexic individuals Elevated motion coherence thresholds have been reported in individuals with autism (Van der Hallen et al, 2019) and dyslexia (Benassi et al, 2010). Van der Hallen et al (2019) analysed 28 studies comparing coherent motion perception in autistic individuals and control participants and found a small mean effect (.33), reflecting reduced sensitivity to coherent motion in the autistic population. Benassi et al (2010) reported a larger effect in their meta-analysis of 35 studies comparing coherent motion sensitivity in dyslexic individuals and age-matched control participants (d 1⁄4 .75), with reduced sensitivity to coherent motion in dyslexic individuals

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