New Study Links Attention Shifting in the Brain to Autism’s Social Challenges

Human interaction plays a crucial role in development, beginning at birth. However, for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this social engagement is disrupted early in life. In fact, research shows that children with ASD exhibit reduced interest in social stimuli as early as their first year—a trait that ultimately impacts long-term cognitive and emotional growth.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) uncovers the neurobiological roots of this early social disconnect. Published in Molecular Psychiatry, the study identifies a disrupted communication pathway in the brain that may explain the challenges children with autism face in rapidly shifting attention—a skill essential for interpreting and engaging in social interactions.

Why Attention Shifting Matters for Autism

The ability to quickly redirect attention from one stimulus to another helps individuals process complex social cues. According to Camilla Bellone, Associate Professor at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, children with ASD often miss out on these critical interactions. As a result, without these learning moments, they struggle to develop essential tools for navigating social situations.

Bellone explains, “We learn by interacting with others. When children with autism are less drawn to social cues, they lose out on opportunities that shape cognitive growth.”

Mouse Models Reveal the Brain Circuit Behind Social Disconnection

Using mouse models, researchers discovered that a key communication pathway between two brain regions—the superior colliculus (involved in attention orientation) and the ventral tegmental area (linked to reward)—is impaired. This disruption stems from poor synchronization between neurons, which affects how quickly attention can shift.

Mice lacking the Shank3 gene—a major genetic factor in ASD—showed a reduced ability to orient toward other mice, mirroring the behaviors observed in children with autism. This gene mutation made the mice an ideal model for studying the neurological underpinnings of ASD.

Mini-MRI Breakthrough in Young Children

To translate these findings from mice to humans, researchers had to overcome a major challenge: conducting MRI scans in children aged 2 to 5 without sedation. Dr. Nada Kojovic, co-first author of the study, developed a unique habituation protocol that helped over 90% of children fall asleep naturally in the scanner, allowing for high-quality imaging.

The brain scans confirmed that children with autism exhibit the same disrupted brain circuit observed in the mouse models. Even more remarkably, the strength of connectivity in this circuit consequently predicted the child’s cognitive development in the following year.

What This Means for Early Intervention

Although direct intervention in the disrupted brain network is not yet possible, nevertheless, this discovery provides a scientific basis for early behavioral treatments. In particular, therapies that improve a child’s ability to shift attention quickly could significantly enhance cognitive and social development.

For example, one such method, developed in the U.S. and applied in Geneva, involves 20 hours of intensive therapy per week for two years. As a result, studies show an average gain of 20 IQ points, and 75% of children undergoing this program are able to attend mainstream schools afterward.

Read the Original Article: Medical Xpress

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