Action control processes in autism spectrum disorder – Insights from a neurobiological and neuroanatomical perspective. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chmielewski, Witold X.; Beste, Christian
• Is Part Of: Progress in neurobiology. Volume 124(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 49
• Page End: 83
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: 5-HTTLPR serotonin transporter gene -- ACC anterior cingulate cortex -- ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder -- AMPA α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid -- ASD autism spectrum disorder -- BA Brodman area -- BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor -- CDD childhood disintegrative disorder -- CNS central nervous system -- DLPFC dorsolateral prefrontal cortex -- EEG electroencephalogram -- ERN error-related negativity -- fMRI functional magnetic resonance imaging -- GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid -- GAD glutamic acid decarboxylase -- Glx glutamate + glutamine -- GPi internal globus pallidus -- HC healthy control -- HFA high functioning autism -- HVA homovanillic acid -- HTT serotonin transporter gene -- IFG inferior frontal gyrus -- IQ intelligence quotient -- MECP2 methyl CpG binding protein 2 -- MFG middle frontal gyrus -- mRNA messenger RNA -- MRS magnetic resonance spectroscopy -- NMDA N-methyl-d-aspartate -- MSN medium spiny neuron -- OCD obsessive–compulsive disorder -- PET positron emission tomography -- PFC prefrontal cortex -- pre-SMA pre-supplemental motor area -- PRP psychological refractory period -- RCT randomized controlled trial -- SCT stop-change task -- SFG superior frontal gyrus -- SMA supplementary motor area -- SSRI selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor -- SST stop-signal task -- TOM theory of mind -- VTA ventral tegmental area -- WTA winner takes all mechanism; Autism spectrum disorders -- Executive functions -- Conflict processing -- Response inhibition -- Task switching -- Error processing -- Prefrontal cortex -- Cognitive control; Neurobiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurobiologie -- Périodiques; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2014.11.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-0082

Abstract

Highlights: Comprehensive review on action control processes in autism. Integration of neuroanatomical and biological aspects with action control in autism. Possible future research directions are outlined. Abstract: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) encompass a range of syndromes that are characterized by social interaction impairments, verbal and nonverbal communication difficulties, and stereotypic or repetitive behaviours. Although there has been considerable progress in understanding the mechanisms underlying the changes in the 'social' and 'communicative' aspects of ASD, the neurofunctional architecture of repetitive and stereotypic behaviours, as well as other cognitive domains related to response and action control, remain poorly understood. Based on the findings of neurobiological and neuroanatomical alterations in ASD and the functional neuroanatomy and neurobiology of different action control functions, we emphasize that changes in action control processes, including response inhibition, conflict and response monitoring, task switching, dual-tasking, motor timing, and error monitoring, are important facets of ASD. These processes must be examined further to understand the executive control deficits in ASD that are related to stereotypic or repetitive behaviours as a major facet of ASD. The review shows that not all domains of action control are strongly affected in ASD. Several factors seem to determine the consistency with which alterations in cognitive control are reported. These factors relate to the relevance of neurobiological changes in ASD for the cognitive domains examined and in how far action control relies upon the adjustment of prior experience. Future directions and hypotheses are outlined that may guide basic and clinical research on action control in ASD.