NCT06234033

Neural Mechanisms of Sensory Processing Anomalies

Understanding the Neural Mechanism Behind Sensory Processing Anomalies

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 75 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Aalborg University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 8 Years – 15 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

To assess sensory processing anomalies in neurotypical children, children with autism spectrum disorder, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, particularly within the vibrotactile and auditory sensory modalities.

Detailed description

Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), have been associated with a high prevalence of sensory processing anomalies. With the update of the diagnostic manuals International Classification of Diseases eleventh revision (ICD-11) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), more emphasis has been given to the sensory symptoms of both these disorders. The demand of reliable and valid quantitative measurements of sensory processing anomalies are therefore increasing as such metrics has the potential to assist clinical decision-making e.g., in (differential) diagnostics and treatment response evaluation and prediction. The present observational study focuses on auditory and tactile processing. Hearing and touch are two of the most frequency reported modalities in which individuals with ASD experience sensory anomalies. In addition, adequate auditory and tactile processing are presumed fundamental in the emergence of various social and cognitive functions such as the development of language. Elucidating the sensory symptoms by means of psychophysics, neuroimaging, and quantitative measures of peripheral sensory organs could elucidate the underlying (neuro)physiology of sensory anomalies in ASD and ADHD. The present project aims to elucidate the physiological substrates of abnormal sensory processing by conducting a battery of tests in children with ASD, ADHD, and neurotypical children. First, a series of questionnaires will be administered to acquire a (clinical) description of the participants (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V); Autism Quotient (AQ, child version); Childhood Behavioral Checklist (CBCL 6-16); ADHD-Ration Scale (ADHD-RS); Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd edition (ADOS-2); Use of pharmacotherapy). A standardized caregiver-reported sensory profile questionnaire will serve as the primary outcome (Sensory Profile 2, Child version). Second, transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions will be measured in order to account for peripheral mechanisms of hearing as well as their contralateral suppression to measure efferent auditory system functioning. Third, a psychophysic task will be conducted for the purpose of estimating the just-noticeable difference to auditory loudness and vibrotactile displacement intensities followed by a subjective categorical loudness scale experiment. Finally, two electroencephalographic experiments will be performed: a frequency tagging paradigm with interspersed pitch oddballs and a classical sensory gating paradigm using vibrotactile stimuli and auditory clicks.

Conditions

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Sensory Processing Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Discrimination Acuity test	Estimating the just-noticeable difference of auditory loudness and vibrotactile displacement to fit a psychometric function for each modality with parameters: threshold, slope, sensitivity, and response criterion.
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Transiently Evoked Otoacoustic Emission	Examination of integrity of outer hair cells in the inner ear; with and without contralateral suppression.
OTHER	Questionnaires	Caregiver questionnaires send to parents online to acquire demographic information Autism Quotient (AQ), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL6-16), Sensory Profile 2 (SP-2).
BEHAVIORAL	Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V)	Estimates intelligence quotient
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Clinical tests of ASD	Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd edition (ADOS-2)
OTHER	Electroencephalography (EEG) with auditory or vibrotactile stimuli	Two paradigms will be used: an auditory frequency tagging paradigm with interspersed pitch oddballs and a classical sensory gating paradigm with either vibrotactile stimuli or auditory clicks.
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Clinical tests of ADHD	ADHD-Rating Scale (ADHD-RS)

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-11-01
• Primary completion: 2025-10-31
• Completion: 2025-10-31
• First posted: 2024-01-31
• Last updated: 2025-01-31

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Denmark