Featured Publications
Hypoconnectivity between anterior insula and amygdala associates with future vulnerabilities in social development in a neurodiverse sample of neonates
Scheinost D, Chang J, Lacadie C, Brennan-Wydra E, Foster R, Boxberger A, Macari S, Vernetti A, Constable RT, Ment LR, Chawarska K. Hypoconnectivity between anterior insula and amygdala associates with future vulnerabilities in social development in a neurodiverse sample of neonates. Scientific Reports 2022, 12: 16230. PMID: 36171268, PMCID: PMC9517994, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20617-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFirst Year InventoryAnterior insulaFunctional connectivityMaternal mental health factorsLeft anterior insulaState functional connectivityMental health factorsSubsample of participantsPostmenstrual ageSalience networkFamily historySocial domainsNeural circuitryAutismSocial behaviorBrain imagingHigher likelihoodInsulaSocial developmentHypoconnectivityExploratory analysisThird trimesterFuture onsetHealth factorsRisk scoreAtypical Emotional Electrodermal Activity in Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Vernetti A, Shic F, Boccanfuso L, Macari S, Kane‐Grade F, Milgramm A, Hilton E, Heymann P, Goodwin MS, Chawarska K. Atypical Emotional Electrodermal Activity in Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Research 2020, 13: 1476-1488. PMID: 32896980, PMCID: PMC10081486, DOI: 10.1002/aur.2374.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderPhysiological arousalTypical developmentEmotional challengesAge-matched toddlersAutism symptom severityEmotion-eliciting conditionsCore ASD symptomsSeverity of autismSkin conductance levelFear emotionCognitive processesFear conditionTD peersASD groupEmotional expressivityEmotional expressionASD symptomsPleasant eventsExternalizing problemsSpectrum disorderThreatening eventsUnderstanding of precursorsBehavioral problemsBehavioral expressionInfant neural sensitivity to eye gaze depends on early experience of gaze communication
Vernetti A, Ganea N, Tucker L, Charman T, Johnson MH, Senju A. Infant neural sensitivity to eye gaze depends on early experience of gaze communication. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience 2018, 34: 1-6. PMID: 29890461, PMCID: PMC6252267, DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2018.05.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEvent-related potentialsGaze shiftsBrain responsesGaze communicationDynamic gaze shiftsInfant neural sensitivitySelective brain responsesFunctional brain developmentEye-gaze communicationBlind parentsNeural sensitivitySighted infantsEye gazeSighted parentsCommunicative experiencesPrimary caregiversHuman brainDistinct experiencesCommunication experiencesIndividual environmentsCurrent studyBrain developmentParentsEarly experienceFunctional specialisation
2018
Development of Adaptive Communication Skills in Infants of Blind Parents
Ganea N, Hudry K, Vernetti A, Tucker L, Charman T, Johnson MH, Senju A. Development of Adaptive Communication Skills in Infants of Blind Parents. Developmental Psychology 2018, 54: 2265-2273. PMID: 30335435, PMCID: PMC6254470, DOI: 10.1037/dev0000564.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEmotional Expressivity in Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Macari S, DiNicola L, Kane-Grade F, Prince E, Vernetti A, Powell K, Fontenelle S, Chawarska K. Emotional Expressivity in Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal Of The American Academy Of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2018, 57: 828-836.e2. PMID: 30392624, PMCID: PMC6844292, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2018.07.872.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderAutism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2Emotional expressivenessEarly Childhood Behavior QuestionnaireAutism severityPositive emotionsSpectrum disorderGreater autism severityNegative emotional expressivenessParent-reported temperamentImportance of emotionsIntensity of fearChildhood Behavior QuestionnaireASD displayASD groupEmotional expressivityAutism symptomsVocal channelNegative emotionalityTD groupTypical developmentCognitive developmentGoal blockageIntense angerIntense fear
2017
Simulating interaction: Using gaze-contingent eye-tracking to measure the reward value of social signals in toddlers with and without autism
Vernetti A, Senju A, Charman T, Johnson MH, Gliga T, Team T. Simulating interaction: Using gaze-contingent eye-tracking to measure the reward value of social signals in toddlers with and without autism. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience 2017, 29: 21-29. PMID: 28939027, PMCID: PMC6987892, DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2017.08.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderHR-ASD groupLow-risk controlsSocial interactionDiagnosis of ASDNaturalistic social interactionsLow familial riskSocial orientingSocial motivationASD diagnosisReward valueSocial signalsSpectrum disorderSocial videosAge 3Mechanical toysFamilial riskAge 2ToddlersPersonsOrientingAutismDifficultiesRewardMotivation