New Computational Model Explains Behavioral and Neural Differences in ASD
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental and neurological disorder that affects how an individual communicates with others, interacts with them and behaves, as well as learns. Researchers have developed a new computational model to explain the behavioral and neural differences in autism spectrum disorder.
The new model provides new insights into information processing in the brains of persons living with autism, which may in turn broaden the horizons of future studies. The model was designed by Oded Wertheimer and Dr. Yuval Hart from the Department of Psychology at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
It focuses on the dynamic range, which is basically how neurons respond to stimuli, with gradual responses entailing a heightened dynamic range.
The researchers found that a heightened dynamic range, which suggested a moderate response of a neuronal population to input changes, accounted for behavioral and neural variations in persons living with autism across different tasks.
This moderate response, they explained, allowed the details to be encrypted more accurately but with a downside, which is, slower adjustment to changes. In comparison, a reduced dynamic change allows for faster reactions and in turn, quick adaptation to changes.
The researchers tested their model on different behavioral tasks and simulations, which included global motion coherence, orientation reproduction, and finger-tapping synchronization. They discovered that heightened dynamic range could underlie some behaviors related to autism spectrum disorder.
In their report, they explained that variation in responses could arise from differences in how different neurons were activated. For example, heightened variability in the half-activation point of individual neurons could result in an extensive dynamic range at the population level, which could impact how sensory input was processed and interpreted by an individual’s brain.
In the report, Oded Wertheimer explained that they also demonstrated how heterogeneity in the half-activation points of some neurons could give rise to a heightened dynamic range. Wertheimer noted that the model offered a new angle for understanding autism, one that used computational principles to connect biological mechanisms at the neuronal level.
The researchers’ findings also offer insight into why studies on autism often yield inconsistent results. They posit that differences in the dynamic range may contribute to the differences across studies, emphasizing the need for bigger participant groups to ensure strong results.
The researchers are now focused on studying the dynamic range through animal models at varying developmental stages, which could shed light on its effect on behaviors associated with autism.
As it becomes easier to analyze the different ways in which the neural function and behavior of ASD patients varies, it could get easier for drug developers like PaxMedica Inc. (OTC: PXMD) to commercialize treatments targeting the different subgroups of patients with this broad spectrum of autism.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PaxMedica Inc. (OTC: PXMD) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PXMD
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental and neurological disorder that affects how an individual communicates with others, interacts with them and behaves, as well as learns. Researchers have developed a new computational model to explain the behavioral and neural differences in autism spectrum disorder.
The new model provides new insights into information processing in the brains of persons living with autism, which may in turn broaden the horizons of future studies. The model was designed by Oded Wertheimer and Dr. Yuval Hart from the Department of Psychology at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
It focuses on the dynamic range, which is basically how neurons respond to stimuli, with gradual responses entailing a heightened dynamic range.
The researchers found that a heightened dynamic range, which suggested a moderate response of a neuronal population to input changes, accounted for behavioral and neural variations in persons living with autism across different tasks.
This moderate response, they explained, allowed the details to be encrypted more accurately but with a downside, which is, slower adjustment to changes. In comparison, a reduced dynamic change allows for faster reactions and in turn, quick adaptation to changes.
The researchers tested their model on different behavioral tasks and simulations, which included global motion coherence, orientation reproduction, and finger-tapping synchronization. They discovered that heightened dynamic range could underlie some behaviors related to autism spectrum disorder.
In their report, they explained that variation in responses could arise from differences in how different neurons were activated. For example, heightened variability in the half-activation point of individual neurons could result in an extensive dynamic range at the population level, which could impact how sensory input was processed and interpreted by an individual’s brain.
In the report, Oded Wertheimer explained that they also demonstrated how heterogeneity in the half-activation points of some neurons could give rise to a heightened dynamic range. Wertheimer noted that the model offered a new angle for understanding autism, one that used computational principles to connect biological mechanisms at the neuronal level.
The researchers’ findings also offer insight into why studies on autism often yield inconsistent results. They posit that differences in the dynamic range may contribute to the differences across studies, emphasizing the need for bigger participant groups to ensure strong results.
The researchers are now focused on studying the dynamic range through animal models at varying developmental stages, which could shed light on its effect on behaviors associated with autism.
As it becomes easier to analyze the different ways in which the neural function and behavior of ASD patients varies, it could get easier for drug developers like PaxMedica Inc. (OTC: PXMD) to commercialize treatments targeting the different subgroups of patients with this broad spectrum of autism.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PaxMedica Inc. (OTC: PXMD) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PXMD
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
