Hyperreactivity to weak acoustic stimuli and prolonged acoustic startle latency in children with autism spectrum disorders.

ABSTRACT:

Background

People with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are known to have enhanced auditory perception, however, acoustic startle response to weak stimuli has not been well documented in this population. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the basic profile of acoustic startle response, including peak startle latency and startle magnitude to weaker stimuli, in children with ASD and typical development (TD), and to evaluate their relationship to ASD characteristics.

Methods

We investigated acoustic startle response with weak and strong acoustic stimuli in 12 children with ASD and 28 children with TD, analyzing the relationship between startle measures and quantitative autistic traits assessed with the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). The electromyographic activity o

SUBMITTER: Takahashi H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4008133 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature