Reseach Projects in Autism
fMRI Studies of Motion Processing
Our lab is very interested in the possibility that a problem in visual processing could contribute to the symptoms of autism. Previous studies have found that some people with autism have difficulty interpreting and processing visual motion, especially when they have to interpret subtle or quick movements made by people. Such a deficit, especially if it occurred early in development, could have wide ranging consequences, particularly in the development of social understanding. We plan study visual motion perception in those with autism using behavioral and psychophysical tests, as well as neuroimaging (fMRI), to determine what level of the visual system is being affected. |
fMRI Studies of Unimpaired Processing
Our lab is also interested in understanding what may be different about the brains of those with autism, even when they are performing tasks that they don’t usually have trouble with. Using neuroimaging, we are exploring the possibility that those with autism have differences in brain structure or connectivity that cause them to use their brains differently even when they are performing a task with the same competence as their typically developing peers.
Multi-Sensory Integration
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Associated symptoms or features of autism may include deficits in attending and orienting in the environment as well as odd responses to sensory stimuli including: a high threshold for pain, over-sensitivity to noise, light, and touch, and exaggerated reactions to odors. In collaboration with Cliff Saron of the UC Davis Center for Mind and Brain, we are conducting a study examining multisensory integration (MSI) in children with autism and typically developing children. We use dense-channel array event related potentials (ERPs) elicited in response to visual (V), auditory (A), and somatosensory (S) stimuli delivered alone or in simultaneous combination. We predict (and preliminary data suggests) that compared with typically developing children, those with autism will show evidence of reduced MSI. One possibility is that this difference could be due to the training effects of encountering spatially mis-registered sensory inputs, such as when a person with autism looks away when someone is talking to them. At left: Under the "hood" of our tri-sensory desktop. Note speakers (B), LED's (C), and mouse button (E) for A, V, and S stimuli. Micropositioner (G) is used to adjust system alignment. |