Abstract
Children with autism often have language impairments and degraded cortical responses to speech. Extensive behavioral interventions can improve language outcomes and cortical responses. Prenatal exposure to the antiepileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) increases the risk for autism and language impairment. Prenatal exposure to VPA also causes weaker and delayed auditory cortex responses in rats. In this study, we document speech sound discrimination ability in VPA exposed rats and document the effect of extensive speech training on auditory cortex responses. VPA exposed rats were significantly impaired at consonant, but not vowel, discrimination. Extensive speech training resulted in both stronger and faster anterior auditory field (AAF) responses compared to untrained VPA exposed rats, and restored responses to control levels. This neural response improvement generalized to non-trained sounds. The rodent VPA model of autism may be used to improve the understanding of speech processing in autism and contribute to improving language outcomes.
Highlights
Individuals with autism often have significantly impaired language acquisition and social interactions
We have previously reported impaired anterior auditory field (AAF) responses to speech sounds in the prenatal valproic acid (VPA) exposure rodent model of autism
We extend that finding by showing that prenatal VPA exposure significantly impairs speech sound discrimination ability
Summary
Individuals with autism often have significantly impaired language acquisition and social interactions. Extensive early intervention therapy in young children with autism has been shown to improve language function, IQ, and adaptive behavior (McEachin et al, 1993; Dawson et al, 2010; Klintwall et al, 2013). This improved outcome following intervention is associated with faster and stronger cortical responses (Russo et al, 2010; Dawson et al, 2012)
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