Attention and Working Memory in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Functional MRI Study

Jukka S Rahko; Virve A Vuontela; Synnöve Carlson; Juha Nikkinen; Tuula M Hurtig; Sanna Kuusikko-Gauffin; Marja-Leena Mattila; Katja K Jussila; Jukka J Remes; Eira M Jansson-Verkasalo; Eeva T Aronen; David L Pauls; Hanna E Ebeling; Osmo Tervonen; Irma K Moilanen; Vesa J Kiviniemi

doi:10.1007/s10578-015-0583-6

Attention and Working Memory in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Functional MRI Study

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2016 Jun;47(3):503-17. doi: 10.1007/s10578-015-0583-6.

Authors

Jukka S Rahko¹, Virve A Vuontela^{2

3}, Synnöve Carlson^{2

3}, Juha Nikkinen⁴, Tuula M Hurtig^{5

6}, Sanna Kuusikko-Gauffin⁵, Marja-Leena Mattila⁵, Katja K Jussila⁵, Jukka J Remes⁴, Eira M Jansson-Verkasalo^{7

8}, Eeva T Aronen⁹, David L Pauls¹⁰, Hanna E Ebeling⁵, Osmo Tervonen⁴, Irma K Moilanen⁵, Vesa J Kiviniemi⁴

Affiliations

¹ PEDEGO Research Unit, Child Psychiatry, University Hospital of Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland. jrahko@me.com.
² Brain Research Unit, O. V. Lounasmaa Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University School of Science, Espoo, Finland.
³ Neuroscience Unit, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine/Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
⁴ Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University and University Hospital of Oulu, P.O. Box 50, 90029, Oulu, Finland.
⁵ PEDEGO Research Unit, Child Psychiatry, University Hospital of Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland.
⁶ Institute of Health Sciences, Clinic of Child Psychiatry, University and University Hospital of Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland.
⁷ Neurocognitive Unit, University and University Hospital of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
⁸ Department of Behavioral Sciences and Philosophy, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN), University of Turku, Assistentinkatu 7, Turku, 20017, Finland.
⁹ Children's Hospital, Child Psychiatry, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Biomedicum 2, Tukholmankatu 8 C 613, Helsinki, 00290, Finland.
¹⁰ Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.

PMID: 26323584
DOI: 10.1007/s10578-015-0583-6

Abstract

The present study examined attention and memory load-dependent differences in the brain activation and deactivation patterns between adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and typically developing (TD) controls using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Attentional (0-back) and working memory (WM; 2-back) processing and load differences (0 vs. 2-back) were analysed. WM-related areas activated and default mode network deactivated normally in ASDs as a function of task load. ASDs performed the attentional 0-back task similarly to TD controls but showed increased deactivation in cerebellum and right temporal cortical areas and weaker activation in other cerebellar areas. Increasing task load resulted in multiple responses in ASDs compared to TD and in inadequate modulation of brain activity in right insula, primary somatosensory, motor and auditory cortices. The changes during attentional task may reflect compensatory mechanisms enabling normal behavioral performance. The inadequate memory load-dependent modulation of activity suggests diminished compensatory potential in ASD.

Keywords: Attention; Autism spectrum disorder; Default mode network; Visuospatial; Working memory.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Attention / physiology*
Autism Spectrum Disorder / diagnostic imaging
Autism Spectrum Disorder / physiopathology*
Autism Spectrum Disorder / psychology
Brain / diagnostic imaging
Brain / physiopathology*
Brain Mapping
Child
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Memory, Short-Term / physiology*
Neuropsychological Tests