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Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research

Lateralization of ERPs to speech and handedness in the early development of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Authors: Kayla H. Finch, Anne M. Seery, Meagan R. Talbott, Charles A. Nelson, Helen Tager-Flusberg

Published in: Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Background

Language is a highly lateralized function, with typically developing individuals showing left hemispheric specialization. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often show reduced or reversed hemispheric lateralization in response to language. However, it is unclear when this difference emerges and whether or not it can serve as an early ASD biomarker. Additionally, atypical language lateralization is not specific to ASD as it is also seen more frequently in individuals with mixed- and left-handedness. Here, we examined early asymmetry patterns measured through neural responses to speech sounds at 12 months and behavioral observations of handedness at 36 months in children with and without ASD.

Methods

Three different groups of children participated in the study: low-risk controls (LRC), high risk for ASD (HRA; infants with older sibling with ASD) without ASD, and HRA infants who later receive a diagnosis of ASD (ASD). Event-related potentials (ERPs) to speech sounds were recorded at 12 months. Utilizing a novel observational approach, handedness was measured by hand preference on a variety of behaviors at 36 months.

Results

At 12 months, lateralization patterns of ERPs to speech stimuli differed across the groups with the ASD group showing reversed lateralization compared to the LRC group. At 36 months, factor analysis of behavioral observations of hand preferences indicated a one-factor model with medium to high factor loadings. A composite handedness score was derived; no group differences were observed. There was no association between lateralization to speech at 12 months and handedness at 36 months in the LRC and HRA groups. However, children with ASD did show an association such that infants with lateralization patterns more similar to the LRC group at 12 months were stronger right-handers at 36 months.

Conclusions

These results highlight early developmental patterns that might be specific to ASD, including a potential early biomarker of reversed lateralization to speech stimuli at 12 months, and a relation between behavioral and neural asymmetries. Future investigations of early asymmetry patterns, especially atypical hemispheric specialization, may be informative in the early identification of ASD.

Net type and amplifier were changed due to system upgrades that occurred midway through the project. We had no a priori reason to believe that the equipment changes would influence the data, and so they were not included as covariates in the analyses.

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Title: Lateralization of ERPs to speech and handedness in the early development of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Kayla H. Finch
Anne M. Seery
Meagan R. Talbott
Charles A. Nelson
Helen Tager-Flusberg
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders / Issue 1/2017
Print ISSN: 1866-1947
Electronic ISSN: 1866-1955
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s11689-017-9185-x

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Lateralization of ERPs to speech and handedness in the early development of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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