Circuits for social learning: A unified model and application to Autism Spectrum Disorder. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: DeMayo, Marilena M.; Young, Larry J.; Hickie, Ian B.; Song, Yun Ju C.; Guastella, Adam J.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 107(2019)
• Page Start: 388
• Page End: 398
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Social development -- Social cognition -- Oxytocin -- Social skills training -- Neurodevelopment -- Amygdala -- Research domain criteria -- Infant -- Biomarkers -- Parent-child interaction -- Bonding; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Highlights: Neural circuits drive and shape social learning early in life. Activate, Integrate, Discriminate, Respond, Reward (AIDRR) circuits are proposed. Domain markers may identify social delay earlier than what is behaviourally observed. Domain markers may provide objective social learning assessments. Oxytocin intervention is applied to illustrate application of this model. Abstract: Early life social experiences shape neural pathways in infants to develop lifelong social skills. This review presents the first unified circuit-based model of social learning that can be applied to early life social development, drawing together unique human developmental milestones, sensitive learning periods, and behavioral and neural scaffolds. Circuit domains for social learning are identified governing Activation, Integration, Discrimination, Response and Reward (AIDRR) to sculpt and drive human social learning. This unified model can be used to identify social delays earlier in development. We propose social impairments observed in Autism Spectrum Disorder are underpinned by early mistimed sensitive periods in brain development and alterations in amygdala development to disrupt the AIDRR circuits. This model directs how interventions can target neural circuits for social development and be applied early in life. To illustrate, the role of oxytocin and its use as an intervention is explored. The AIDRR model shifts focus away from delivering broad treatments based only on diagnostic classifications, to specifying and targeting the relevant circuits, at the right time of development, to optimize social learning.