Camilla Oelfeld

Neural Activity in Infants at High Risk of ASD in Response to IDS and ADS

1. Introduction
In recent years, there has been growing interest in understanding early markers of Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to facilitate early intervention and improve long-term
outcomes. Among these markers, neural responses to speech stimuli, particularly Infant-
Directed Speech (IDS), have garnered attention for their potential to reveal subtle
differences in infants at high risk of ASD. This research proposal outlines a study aimed
at investigating neural activity patterns in response to IDS and Adult-Directed Speech
(ADS) in infants at high risk of ASD, specifically those with an older sibling diagnosed
with ASD. By comparing these patterns to those observed in typically developing infants,
the study seeks to elucidate early markers of ASD and contribute to our understanding of
language processing in at-risk populations.

2. Literature Review
Previous research has highlighted the importance of early neural responses to speech
stimuli in infants' language development and the potential implications for identifying
neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD. Fernald and Kuhl (1987) demonstrated that
infants as young as 6 months exhibit heightened neural activity, as measured by event-
related potentials (ERPs), in response to IDS compared to ADS. Mills et al. (2005) further
expanded on this by showing that this preference for IDS is associated with enhanced
word learning in typically developing infants. These findings suggest that neural
sensitivity to IDS may play a crucial role in early language acquisition.
Nelson and Collins (1991) conducted a study investigating infants' neural responses to
familiar and novel events, revealing that neural discrimination between familiar and novel
stimuli emerges as early as 6 months of age. This suggests that ERPs can serve as sensitive
indicators of infants' cognitive processing abilities during early development. Moreover,
Zangl and Mills (2007) found increased brain activity to IDS in both 6- and 13-month-
old infants, highlighting the consistency of neural responses across different
developmental stages.
Additionally, Droucker, Curtin, and Vouloumanos (2013) investigated the link between
IDS preferences and language outcomes in infants at risk for ASD. They found that
typically developing infants exhibited a clearer preference for IDS earlier than at-risk
infants, and this preference correlated with expressive language scores, suggesting its role
in facilitating language development.
While existing research sheds light on how infants process speech stimuli, a gap remains
in understanding these processes in infants at high risk of ASD. Additionally, few studies
have explored how infants' preferences for IDS, neural activity, and language outcomes
intersect in this high-risk group. Therefore, our study aims to fill these gaps by
investigating neural activity patterns in response to IDS and ADS in infants at high risk
of ASD. This research aims to deepen our understanding of early markers of ASD and
explore potential avenues for early intervention.
Building upon these insights, our study seeks to expand current knowledge by examining
neural activity patterns in infants at high risk of ASD, particularly those with an older
sibling diagnosed with ASD. Using a 2x2 factorial design and measuring ERPs in
response to IDS and ADS, as well as familiar and unfamiliar words, the aim is to identify
differences in neural processing between high-risk infants and typically developing
counterparts. This approach allows us to explore potential early markers of ASD and
improve our understanding of language processing in at-risk populations during critical
developmental stages.

3. Research Questions
1. Primary Question: Do 6- and 13-month-old infants at high risk of developing
ASD, specifically those with an older sibling diagnosed with ASD, present
different neural activity in response to IDS and ADS compared to typically
developing children?
2. Secondary Question: Do 6- and 13-month-old infants at high risk of developing
ASD, particularly those with an older sibling diagnosed with ASD, show
increased neural activity in response to IDS as opposed to ADS, similar to
typically developing infants?
3. Comparative Question: How do the neural activity patterns of high-risk infants,
specifically those with an older sibling diagnosed with ASD, compare to those
observed in typically developing infants concerning IDS and ADS and word
familiarity?
I hypothesize that:
 1. Infants at high risk of ASD, particularly those with an older sibling diagnosed
with ASD, will demonstrate different neural activity patterns in response to IDS
and ADS compared to typically developing infants.
2. High-risk infants will show increased neural activity in response to IDS over
ADS, though this pattern may differ from typically developing infants.
3. Six-month-old high-risk infants will show increased neural activity to IDS for
familiar words, whereas 13-month-old high-risk infants will exhibit increased
activity to IDS for both familiar and unfamiliar words, though these patterns may
differ in magnitude or form from typically developing infants.

4. Methodology
Design
• 2x2 Factorial Design: Factors include Speech Type (Familiar/Unfamiliar words)
and Speaker Type (IDS/ADS).
Participants
• Age Groups: 6-month-old and 13-month-old infants
• Groups: High-risk infants and Typically developing infants
Stimuli
• Speech Type: Familiar and Unfamiliar words
• Speaker Type: IDS and ADS
• Language Consideration: Study conducted in both English and German to
account for language-specific differences.
Procedure
• EEG Recordings: Measure neural activity while infants are exposed to different
speech types and words. Analyze EEG data to identify neural patterns and
differences.
• Experimental Sessions: Controlled environment ensuring minimal distractions.
Use visual stimuli to maintain infant attention.

5. Expected Outcomes
• Anticipate different neural activity patterns in high-risk infants, particularly those
with an older sibling diagnosed with ASD, compared to typically developing
infants.
 • Expect increased neural activity in response to IDS over ADS in high-risk infants,
possibly differing in magnitude or form from typically developing infants.
• Investigate responsiveness to word familiarity and speech type in high-risk infants
compared to typically developing infants.

6. Significance and Implications

• EEG offers potential for early detection of subtle neural differences associated
with ASD, facilitating timely interventions and improving long-term outcomes.
• Understanding how IDS impacts neural activity may inform intervention
strategies and contribute to early diagnosis of ASD.

Conclusion
This study aims to investigate neural activity patterns in response to IDS and ADS in
infants at high risk of ASD, particularly those with an older sibling diagnosed with ASD.
By comparing these patterns to typically developing infants, the study aims to uncover
early markers of ASD and contribute to our understanding of language processing in at-
risk populations. The potential for early detection through EEG holds promise for
improving long-term outcomes for individuals with ASD.

References:
Droucker, D., Curtin, S., & Vouloumanos, A. (2013). Linking Infant-Directed Speech
and Face Preferences to Language Outcomes in Infants at Risk for Autism Spectrum
Disorder. Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR, 56, 567-576.
https://doi.org/10.1044/1092-4388(2012/11-0266)
Fernald, A., & Kuhl, P. (1987). Acoustic determinants of infant preference for motherese
speech. Infant Behavior and Development, 10(3), 279-293.
Mills, D. L., et al. (2005). Neural mechanisms underlying the early word learning in
infants. Developmental Science, 8(2), 182-204.
Nelson, C. A., & Collins, P. F. (1991). Event-related potential and looking-time analysis
of infants’ responses to familiar and novel events: implications for visual recognition
memory. Developmental Psychology, 27(1), 50-58.
Zangl, R., & Mills, D. (2007). Increased Brain Activity to Infant‐Directed Speech in 6‐
and 13‐Month‐Old Infants. Infancy, 11, 31-62.
https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327078in1101_2