Visual illusion susceptibility in autism: A neural model.

Eur J Neurosci

Computational Neuroscience and Vision Laboratory, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Published: August 2022

While atypical sensory perception is reported among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the underlying neural mechanisms of autism that give rise to disruptions in sensory perception remain unclear. We developed a neural model with key physiological, functional and neuroanatomical parameters to investigate mechanisms underlying the range of representations of visual illusions related to orientation perception in typically developed subjects compared to individuals with ASD. Our results showed that two theorized autistic traits, excitation/inhibition imbalance and weakening of top-down modulation, could be potential candidates for reduced susceptibility to some visual illusions. Parametric correlation between cortical suppression, balance of excitation/inhibition, feedback from higher visual areas on one hand and susceptibility to a class of visual illusions related to orientation perception on the other hand provide the opportunity to investigate the contribution and complex interactions of distinct sensory processing mechanisms in ASD. The novel approach used in this study can be used to link behavioural, functional and neuropathological studies; estimate and predict perceptual and cognitive heterogeneity in ASD; and form a basis for the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9541695PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ejn.15739DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

visual illusions
12
neural model
8
sensory perception
8
illusions orientation
8
orientation perception
8
visual
5
visual illusion
4
illusion susceptibility
4
susceptibility autism
4
autism neural
4

Similar Publications

Observations from multisensory body illusions indicate that the body representation can be adapted to changing task demands, e.g., it can be expanded to integrate external objects based on current sensorimotor experience (embodiment).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Illusions of self-motion (vection) can be improved by adding global visual oscillation to patterns of optic flow. Here we examined whether adding apparent visual oscillation (based on four-stroke apparent motion-4SAM) also improves vection. This apparent vertical oscillation was added to self-motion displays simulating constant velocity leftward self-motion.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study delves into how various musical factors influence the experience of auditory illusions, building on Diana Deutsch's scale illusion experiments and subsequent studies. Exploring the interaction between scale mode and timbre, this study assesses their influence on auditory misperceptions, while also considering the impact of an individual's musical training and ability to discern absolute pitch. Participants were divided into nonmusicians, musicians with absolute pitch, and musicians with relative pitch, and were exposed to stimuli modified across three scale modes (tonal, dissonant, atonal) and two timbres (same, different).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Deceptive illusory cues can influence orthogonally directed manual length estimations.

Atten Percept Psychophys

January 2025

School of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, 1250 Huey P. Long Field House, 50 Field House Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.

We examined participants' abilities to manually estimate one of two perpendicular line segment lengths using curved point-to-point movements. Configurations involved symmetrical, unsymmetrical, and no bisection in upright and rotated orientation alterations to vertical-horizontal (V-H) illusions, where people often perceive longer vertical than horizontal segments for equal segment lengths. Participants used two orthogonally directed movements for length estimations: positively proportional (POS) - where greater fingertip displacement involved longer length estimation between configuration intersection start position and fingertip end, and negatively proportional (NEG) - where greater fingertip displacement from the screen edge start position toward configuration intersection involved a shorter length estimation between configuration intersection and fingertip end.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

During flight, spatial disorientation (SD) commonly occurs when a pilot's perception conflicts with the aircraft's actual motion, attitude, or position. A prevalent form of SD is the somatogyral illusion, which is elicited by constant speed rotation and causes a false perception of motion in the opposite direction when the rotation ceases. This research aimed to investigate changes in brain activity that occur when experiencing a somatogyral illusion by simulating conditions closely mimicking flight conditions to gain insight into how to better manage this illusion during flight.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!