title: Impaired response inhibition in autism spectrum disorders, a marker of vulnerability to schizophrenia spectrum disorders?
abstract: In this study, we addressed the relation between specific deficits in cognitive control and schizotypal symptomatology in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) diagnosed in childhood. We aimed to identify cognitive control deficits as markers of vulnerability to the development of schizophrenia spectrum pathology in ASD. Symptoms of autism and the risk for schizotypal symptomatology were assessed in 29 high-functioning adolescents with ASD, and compared with 40 typically developing adolescents. Cognitive control (response inhibition, mental flexibility, visuo-motor control, interference control, and perseveration) was evaluated for specific association with schizotypal symptomatology. Impaired response inhibition appeared to be strongly and specifically associated with schizotypal symptomatology in adolescents with ASD, especially those with positive and disorganized symptoms. Response inhibition problems could indicate vulnerability to the development of schizotypal symptomatology in ASD.
authors: Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands. barneveldps@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
authors: Petra S
authors: PS
authors: Barneveld
authors: Leo
authors: L
authors: de Sonneville
authors: Sophie
authors: S
authors: van Rijn
authors: Herman
authors: H
authors: van Engeland
authors: Hanna
authors: H
authors: Swaab
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014796:Visual Perception