2023
The Selective Social Attention task in children with autism spectrum disorder: Results from the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials (ABC‐CT) feasibility study
Shic F, Barney E, Naples A, Dommer K, Chang S, Li B, McAllister T, Atyabi A, Wang Q, Bernier R, Dawson G, Dziura J, Faja S, Jeste S, Murias M, Johnson S, Sabatos‐DeVito M, Helleman G, Senturk D, Sugar C, Webb S, McPartland J, Chawarska K, Trials T. The Selective Social Attention task in children with autism spectrum disorder: Results from the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials (ABC‐CT) feasibility study. Autism Research 2023, 16: 2150-2159. PMID: 37749934, PMCID: PMC11003770, DOI: 10.1002/aur.3026.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderSocial attention taskSchool-aged childrenAttention taskASD groupSpectrum disorderEye-tracking taskTotal T-scoreAttentional patternsAutism spectrumTD groupPresentation timeTrial feasibility studyGroup differencesPercent of timeOlder childrenTaskComparison groupToddlersT-scoreChildrenChildren 4Outcome variablesFaceCondition effectsModeling idiopathic autism in forebrain organoids reveals an imbalance of excitatory cortical neuron subtypes during early neurogenesis
Jourdon A, Wu F, Mariani J, Capauto D, Norton S, Tomasini L, Amiri A, Suvakov M, Schreiner J, Jang Y, Panda A, Nguyen C, Cummings E, Han G, Powell K, Szekely A, McPartland J, Pelphrey K, Chawarska K, Ventola P, Abyzov A, Vaccarino F. Modeling idiopathic autism in forebrain organoids reveals an imbalance of excitatory cortical neuron subtypes during early neurogenesis. Nature Neuroscience 2023, 26: 1505-1515. PMID: 37563294, PMCID: PMC10573709, DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01399-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIdiopathic autism spectrum disorderCortical neuron subtypesAutism spectrum disorderEarly cortical developmentCortical organoidsCortical plateExcitatory neuronsCortical developmentRare formNeuron subtypesUnaffected fatherASD pathogenesisForebrain organoidsEarly neurogenesisRare variantsIdiopathic autismRisk genesTranscriptomic alterationsNeuronsProbandsSingle-cell transcriptomicsForebrain developmentSpectrum disorderTranscriptomic changesAlterationsEvaluation of clinical assessments of social abilities for use in autism clinical trials by the autism biomarkers consortium for clinical trials
Faja S, Sabatos‐DeVito M, Sridhar A, Kuhn J, Nikolaeva J, Sugar C, Webb S, Bernier R, Sikich L, Hellemann G, Senturk D, Naples A, Shic F, Levin A, Seow H, Dziura J, Jeste S, Chawarska K, Nelson C, Dawson G, McPartland J, Trials A. Evaluation of clinical assessments of social abilities for use in autism clinical trials by the autism biomarkers consortium for clinical trials. Autism Research 2023, 16: 981-996. PMID: 36929131, PMCID: PMC10192100, DOI: 10.1002/aur.2905.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2022
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 scoreConcomitant medication use in children with autism spectrum disorder: Data from the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials
Shurtz L, Schwartz C, DiStefano C, McPartland JC, Levin AR, Dawson G, Kleinhans NM, Faja S, Webb SJ, Shic F, Naples AJ, Seow H, Bernier RA, Chawarska K, Sugar CA, Dziura J, Senturk D, Santhosh M, Jeste SS. Concomitant medication use in children with autism spectrum disorder: Data from the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials. Autism 2022, 27: 952-966. PMID: 36086805, PMCID: PMC9995606, DOI: 10.1177/13623613221121425.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsConcomitant psychotropic medicationsPsychotropic medicationsClinical trialsMedication useSchool-aged childrenClinical representativenessSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitorsConcomitant medication useVariety of medicationsAutism spectrum disorderSerotonin reuptake inhibitorsPsychotropic medication useNew treatment optionsGreater overall impairmentCentral nervous systemSpectrum disorderMedication classesReuptake inhibitorsAlpha agonistsTreatment optionsClinical endpointsInclusion criteriaStudy populationMedicationsNervous systemThe Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials: Initial Evaluation of a Battery of Candidate EEG Biomarkers
Webb SJ, Naples AJ, Levin AR, Hellemann G, Borland H, Benton J, Carlos C, McAllister T, Santhosh M, Seow H, Atyabi A, Bernier R, Chawarska K, Dawson G, Dziura J, Faja S, Jeste S, Murias M, Nelson CA, Sabatos-DeVito M, Senturk D, Shic F, Sugar CA, McPartland JC. The Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials: Initial Evaluation of a Battery of Candidate EEG Biomarkers. American Journal Of Psychiatry 2022, 180: 41-49. PMID: 36000217, PMCID: PMC10027395, DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.21050485.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBiological motion perceptionAutism spectrum disorderResting-state activityMotion perceptionEEG biomarkersGroup discriminationPsychometric propertiesBasic psychometric propertiesASD groupASD diagnosisNeural responsesSpectrum disorderAlpha powerN170Naturalistic studyPerceptionMixed resultsTask latencyVEP amplitudeContext of useLimited attentionInconsistent resultsAcquisition rateDiscriminationBatteriesEarly predictors of language skills at 3 years of age vary based on diagnostic outcome: A baby siblings research consortium study
Pecukonis M, Young GS, Brian J, Charman T, Chawarska K, Elsabbagh M, Iverson JM, Jeste S, Landa R, Messinger DS, Schwichtenberg AJ, Webb SJ, Zwaigenbaum L, Tager‐Flusberg H. Early predictors of language skills at 3 years of age vary based on diagnostic outcome: A baby siblings research consortium study. Autism Research 2022, 15: 1324-1335. PMID: 35652157, PMCID: PMC9253079, DOI: 10.1002/aur.2760.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderLow familial riskLanguage skillsASD groupElevated familial riskGesture's abilityLanguage developmentSpectrum disorderMaternal education levelIntervention servicesFamilial riskAutism spectrumLR infantsEarly predictorDiagnostic outcomesSkillsPresent studyPredictor variablesEducation levelPredictorsDisordersYears of ageInfantsAbilityOutcomesFunctional Connectome–Based Predictive Modeling in Autism
Horien C, Floris DL, Greene AS, Noble S, Rolison M, Tejavibulya L, O'Connor D, McPartland JC, Scheinost D, Chawarska K, Lake EMR, Constable RT. Functional Connectome–Based Predictive Modeling in Autism. Biological Psychiatry 2022, 92: 626-642. PMID: 35690495, PMCID: PMC10948028, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.04.008.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsElevated symptoms of executive dysfunction predict lower adaptive functioning in 3‐year‐olds with autism spectrum disorder
Powell K, Macari S, Brennan‐Wydra E, Feiner H, Butler M, Fortes D, Boxberger A, Torres‐Viso M, Morgan C, Lyons M, Chawarska K. Elevated symptoms of executive dysfunction predict lower adaptive functioning in 3‐year‐olds with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Research 2022, 15: 1336-1347. PMID: 35388596, PMCID: PMC9253075, DOI: 10.1002/aur.2715.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderDaily living skillsExecutive functioningEF deficitsAdaptive functioningSpectrum disorderLiving skillsExecutive functioning (EF) deficitsAutism severity scoresLower adaptive functioningCognitive flexibilityAtypical developmentDevelopmental presentationExecutive dysfunctionAdaptive skillsNonverbal functioningVABS-IIElevated symptomsAge threeToddlersLong-term detrimental impactDevelopmental quotientFunctioningChronological ageSymptom severityAttention to audiovisual speech does not facilitate language acquisition in infants with familial history of autism
Chawarska K, Lewkowicz D, Feiner H, Macari S, Vernetti A. Attention to audiovisual speech does not facilitate language acquisition in infants with familial history of autism. Journal Of Child Psychology And Psychiatry 2022, 63: 1466-1476. PMID: 35244219, DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13595.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsExpressive language scoresLanguage outcomesAudiovisual cuesSpeaker's faceLanguage scoresLanguage acquisitionLanguage delayBetter language outcomesSiblings of childrenFamilial riskLow familial riskPoor language outcomesLow-risk infantsAudiovisual speechIntact attentionSpeech cuesHigh familial riskPromising endophenotypeASD diagnosisSpeech processingCuesHigh-risk infantsAutismASDFace
2021
Functional Connectivity for the Language Network in the Developing Brain: 30 Weeks of Gestation to 30 Months of Age
Scheinost D, Chang J, Lacadie C, Brennan-Wydra E, Constable RT, Chawarska K, Ment LR. Functional Connectivity for the Language Network in the Developing Brain: 30 Weeks of Gestation to 30 Months of Age. Cerebral Cortex 2021, 32: 3289-3301. PMID: 34875024, PMCID: PMC9340393, DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab415.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWeeks of gestationFirst postnatal monthMonths of agePostnatal monthFunctional connectivityWernicke's areaWeeks postmenstrual ageLanguage networkResting-state fMRI dataPostmenstrual ageFetal onsetInterhemispheric connectionsIntrahemispheric connectionsPrimary analysisOlder infantsNeurobehavioral disordersSecondary analysisGestationCross-sectional dataMonthsBrocaUnique participantsWeeksSignificant increaseFunctional connectionsWhat are we optimizing for in autism screening? Examination of algorithmic changes in the M‐CHAT
Schjølberg S, Shic F, Volkmar FR, Nordahl‐Hansen A, Stenberg N, Torske T, Larsen K, Riley K, Sukhodolsky DG, Leckman JF, Chawarska K, Øien RA. What are we optimizing for in autism screening? Examination of algorithmic changes in the M‐CHAT. Autism Research 2021, 15: 296-304. PMID: 34837355, PMCID: PMC8821132, DOI: 10.1002/aur.2643.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAtypical Intrinsic Hemispheric Interaction Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder Is Present within the First Year of Life
Rolison M, Lacadie C, Chawarska K, Spann M, Scheinost D. Atypical Intrinsic Hemispheric Interaction Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder Is Present within the First Year of Life. Cerebral Cortex 2021, 32: 1212-1222. PMID: 34424949, PMCID: PMC8924430, DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab284.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPuppets facilitate attention to social cues in children with ASD
Macari S, Chen X, Brunissen L, Yhang E, Brennan‐Wydra E, Vernetti A, Volkmar F, Chang J, Chawarska K. Puppets facilitate attention to social cues in children with ASD. Autism Research 2021, 14: 1975-1985. PMID: 34350712, PMCID: PMC8434944, DOI: 10.1002/aur.2552.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderVisual attentionAutism severityTD controlsSpeaker's faceYoung childrenSocial-communicative cuesSpeakers’ preferencesHigher autism severityAttention of childrenFunction of groupASD groupSocial cuesSpectrum disorderVisual preferenceHuman speakersSocial partnersSocial interactionSpeaker identityPuppetCuesChildrenEarly characteristicsReciprocal interactionsFaceAssociations of parental birth characteristics with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk in their offspring: a population-based multigenerational cohort study in Denmark
Xiao J, Gao Y, Yu Y, Toft G, Zhang Y, Luo J, Xia Y, Chawarska K, Olsen J, Li J, Liew Z. Associations of parental birth characteristics with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk in their offspring: a population-based multigenerational cohort study in Denmark. International Journal Of Epidemiology 2021, 50: 485-495. PMID: 33411909, PMCID: PMC8128455, DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyaa246.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBirth characteristicsAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) riskCohort studyOdds ratioNationwide register-based cohort studySociodemographic factorsRegister-based cohort studyOffspring of mothersConfidence intervalsASD riskHealth-related factorsExposure risk factorsDisorder riskLogistic regression modelsOffspring of parentsPerinatal factorsPreterm birthFather-child pairsLow birthweightVery pretermEpidemiological evidenceRisk factorsHigh riskElevated riskPaternal factors
2020
Low-motion fMRI data can be obtained in pediatric participants undergoing a 60-minute scan protocol
Horien C, Fontenelle S, Joseph K, Powell N, Nutor C, Fortes D, Butler M, Powell K, Macris D, Lee K, Greene AS, McPartland JC, Volkmar FR, Scheinost D, Chawarska K, Constable RT. Low-motion fMRI data can be obtained in pediatric participants undergoing a 60-minute scan protocol. Scientific Reports 2020, 10: 21855. PMID: 33318557, PMCID: PMC7736342, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78885-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPediatric participantsMRI protocolMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scansFunctional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scansShorter MRI protocolsScan protocolResonance imaging scansImaging scansMRI sessionsFMRI connectivity analysisFMRI dataFMRI findingsSignificant confoundScansReplication groupConnectivity analysisAutism spectrum disorderMock scanSpectrum disorderParticipantsHead motionProtocolAttend Less, Fear More: Elevated Distress to Social Threat in Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Macari SL, Vernetti A, Chawarska K. Attend Less, Fear More: Elevated Distress to Social Threat in Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Research 2020, 14: 1025-1036. PMID: 33283976, PMCID: PMC7772932, DOI: 10.1002/aur.2448.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism symptom severitySocial threatEmotional reactivityNegative emotional responsesER strategiesAmbiguous threatThreat valueEmotional responsesSocial situationsAutism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2Potential social threatEmotion regulation strategiesER strategy useDifferential emotional reactivitySymptom severityMechanisms of changeIntensity of distressNonsocial stimuliNonsocial threatAttentional salienceTD toddlersEmotional salienceAutism phenotypeAutism severityRegulation strategiesSex Differences in Gender‐Diverse Expressions and Identities among Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Brunissen L, Rapoport E, Chawarska K, Adesman A. Sex Differences in Gender‐Diverse Expressions and Identities among Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Research 2020, 14: 143-155. PMID: 33283980, DOI: 10.1002/aur.2441.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderGender-related concernsGender Identity QuestionnaireParents of girlsSpectrum disorderASD ages 6Sex differencesParents of youthParents of boysIndividualized supportGender identity/expressionSex-typed behaviorSame-gender behaviorElevated distressIdentity QuestionnaireParents' responsesAutismChild's appearanceChild's ageAge 6Gender expressionReal distressBirth sexYouthGender dysphoriaAtypical 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 expressionFunctional Outcomes of Children Identified Early in the Developmental Period as at Risk for ASD Utilizing the The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa)
Stenberg N, Schjølberg S, Shic F, Volkmar F, Øyen AS, Bresnahan M, Svendsen BK, von Tetzchner S, Thronæs NT, Macari S, Cicchetti DV, Chawarska K, Suren P, Øien RA. Functional Outcomes of Children Identified Early in the Developmental Period as at Risk for ASD Utilizing the The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Journal Of Autism And Developmental Disorders 2020, 51: 922-932. PMID: 32424708, PMCID: PMC7954713, DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04539-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderChild Cohort StudyCohort studyAutism symptomsLanguage disordersM-CHATSpectrum disorderLower IQDevelopmental concernsNorwegian MotherDevelopmental periodIntellectual disabilityEarly interventionBirth cohort studyMonths of ageChildrenItem criteriaFunctional outcomeBetter outcomesGreater severitySwift accessEarly identificationIQDisordersFathers