Background: Early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is critical, because early intensive treatment greatly improves its prognosis. Methods: We review studies that examined vocalizations of infants with autism spectrum disorder and mouse models of autism spectrum disorder as a potential means to identify autism spectrum disorder before the symptomatic elements of autism spectrum disorder emerge. We further discuss clinical implications and future research priorities in the field. Results: Atypical early vocal calls (i.e., cry) may represent an early biomarker for autism spectrum disorder (or at least for a subgroup of children with autism spectrum disorder), and thus can assist with early detection. Moreover, cry is likely more than an early biomarker of autism spectrum disorder; it is also an early causative factor in the development of the disorder. Specifically, atypical crying, as recently suggested, might induce a "self-generated environmental factor" that in turn, influences the prognosis of the disorder. Because atypical crying in autism spectrum disorder is difficult to understand, it may have a negative impact on the quality of care by the caregiver (see graphical abstract). Conclusions: Evidence supports the hypothesis that atypical vocalization is an early, functionally integral component of autism spectrum disorder.

Cry, baby, cry: expression of distress as a biomarker and modulator in autism spectrum disorder / Esposito, Gianluca; Hiroi, Noboru; Scattoni, Maria Luisa. - In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY. - ISSN 1461-1457. - 20:6(2017), pp. 498-503. [10.1093/ijnp/pyx014]

Cry, baby, cry: expression of distress as a biomarker and modulator in autism spectrum disorder

Esposito, Gianluca;
2017-01-01

Abstract

Background: Early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is critical, because early intensive treatment greatly improves its prognosis. Methods: We review studies that examined vocalizations of infants with autism spectrum disorder and mouse models of autism spectrum disorder as a potential means to identify autism spectrum disorder before the symptomatic elements of autism spectrum disorder emerge. We further discuss clinical implications and future research priorities in the field. Results: Atypical early vocal calls (i.e., cry) may represent an early biomarker for autism spectrum disorder (or at least for a subgroup of children with autism spectrum disorder), and thus can assist with early detection. Moreover, cry is likely more than an early biomarker of autism spectrum disorder; it is also an early causative factor in the development of the disorder. Specifically, atypical crying, as recently suggested, might induce a "self-generated environmental factor" that in turn, influences the prognosis of the disorder. Because atypical crying in autism spectrum disorder is difficult to understand, it may have a negative impact on the quality of care by the caregiver (see graphical abstract). Conclusions: Evidence supports the hypothesis that atypical vocalization is an early, functionally integral component of autism spectrum disorder.
2017
6
Esposito, Gianluca; Hiroi, Noboru; Scattoni, Maria Luisa
Cry, baby, cry: expression of distress as a biomarker and modulator in autism spectrum disorder / Esposito, Gianluca; Hiroi, Noboru; Scattoni, Maria Luisa. - In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY. - ISSN 1461-1457. - 20:6(2017), pp. 498-503. [10.1093/ijnp/pyx014]
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2017 IJNP Esposito et al SC.docx

solo utenti autorizzati

Tipologia: Post-print referato (Refereed author’s manuscript)
Licenza: Tutti i diritti riservati (All rights reserved)
Dimensione 422.89 kB
Formato Microsoft Word XML
422.89 kB Microsoft Word XML   Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11572/186365
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 24
  • Scopus 55
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 53
social impact