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Impaired induction of long‐term potentiation‐like plasticity in patients with high‐functioning autism and Asperger syndrome
Author(s) -
JUNG NIKOLAI H,
JANZARIK WIBKE G,
DELVENDAHL IGOR,
MÜNCHAU ALEXANDER,
BISCALDI MONICA,
MAINBERGER FLORIAN,
BÄUMER TOBIAS,
RAUH REINHOLD,
MALL VOLKER
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.12012
Subject(s) - long term potentiation , transcranial magnetic stimulation , psychology , stimulation , interstimulus interval , excitatory postsynaptic potential , autism , synaptic plasticity , neuroplasticity , audiology , neuroscience , medicine , developmental psychology , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , receptor
Aim We aimed to investigate the induction of long‐term potentiation (LTP)‐like plasticity by paired associative stimulation (PAS) in patients with high‐functioning autism and Asperger syndrome (HFA/AS). Method PAS with an interstimulus interval between electrical and transcranial magnetic stimulation of 25 ms (PAS 25 ) was performed in patients with HFA/AS ( n =9; eight males, one female; mean age 17y 11mo, SD 4y 5mo) and in typically developing age‐matched volunteers ( n =9; five males, four females; mean age 22y 4mo, SD 5y 2mo). The amplitude of motor‐evoked potentials was measured before PAS 25 , immediately after stimulation, and 30 minutes and 60 minutes later. A PAS protocol adapted to individual N20 latency (PAS N20+2 ) was performed in six additional patients with HFA/AS. Short‐interval intracortical inhibition was measured using paired‐pulse stimulation. Results In contrast to the typically developing participants, the patients with HFA/AS did not show a significant increase in motor‐evoked potentials after PAS 25 . This finding could also be demonstrated after adaptation for N20 latency. Short‐interval intracortical inhibition of patients with HFA/AS was normal compared with the comparison group and did not correlate with PAS effect. Interpretation Our results show a significant impairment of LTP‐like plasticity induced by PAS in individuals with HFA/AS compared with typically developing participants. This finding is in accordance with results from animal studies as well as human studies. Impaired LTP‐like plasticity in patients with HFA/AS points towards reduced excitatory synaptic connectivity and deficits in sensory‐motor integration in these patients.