Neural Mechanisms of Sensory Processing Anomalies

NCT ID: NCT06234033

Last Updated: 2025-01-31

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

75 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-11-01

Study Completion Date

2025-10-31

Brief Summary

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To assess sensory processing anomalies in neurotypical children, children with autism spectrum disorder, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, particularly within the vibrotactile and auditory sensory modalities.

Detailed Description

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Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), have been associated with a high prevalence of sensory processing anomalies. With the update of the diagnostic manuals International Classification of Diseases eleventh revision (ICD-11) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), more emphasis has been given to the sensory symptoms of both these disorders. The demand of reliable and valid quantitative measurements of sensory processing anomalies are therefore increasing as such metrics has the potential to assist clinical decision-making e.g., in (differential) diagnostics and treatment response evaluation and prediction. The present observational study focuses on auditory and tactile processing. Hearing and touch are two of the most frequency reported modalities in which individuals with ASD experience sensory anomalies. In addition, adequate auditory and tactile processing are presumed fundamental in the emergence of various social and cognitive functions such as the development of language. Elucidating the sensory symptoms by means of psychophysics, neuroimaging, and quantitative measures of peripheral sensory organs could elucidate the underlying (neuro)physiology of sensory anomalies in ASD and ADHD.

The present project aims to elucidate the physiological substrates of abnormal sensory processing by conducting a battery of tests in children with ASD, ADHD, and neurotypical children. First, a series of questionnaires will be administered to acquire a (clinical) description of the participants (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V); Autism Quotient (AQ, child version); Childhood Behavioral Checklist (CBCL 6-16); ADHD-Ration Scale (ADHD-RS); Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd edition (ADOS-2); Use of pharmacotherapy). A standardized caregiver-reported sensory profile questionnaire will serve as the primary outcome (Sensory Profile 2, Child version). Second, transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions will be measured in order to account for peripheral mechanisms of hearing as well as their contralateral suppression to measure efferent auditory system functioning. Third, a psychophysic task will be conducted for the purpose of estimating the just-noticeable difference to auditory loudness and vibrotactile displacement intensities followed by a subjective categorical loudness scale experiment. Finally, two electroencephalographic experiments will be performed: a frequency tagging paradigm with interspersed pitch oddballs and a classical sensory gating paradigm using vibrotactile stimuli and auditory clicks.

Conditions

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder Sensory Processing Disorder

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

CASE_CONTROL

Study Time Perspective

CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

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Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Children with a confirmed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder made by a qualified psychiatrist.

Discrimination Acuity test

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Estimating the just-noticeable difference of auditory loudness and vibrotactile displacement to fit a psychometric function for each modality with parameters: threshold, slope, sensitivity, and response criterion.

Transiently Evoked Otoacoustic Emission

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Examination of integrity of outer hair cells in the inner ear; with and without contralateral suppression.

Questionnaires

Intervention Type OTHER

Caregiver questionnaires send to parents online to acquire demographic information Autism Quotient (AQ), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL6-16), Sensory Profile 2 (SP-2).

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Estimates intelligence quotient

Clinical tests of ASD

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd edition (ADOS-2)

Electroencephalography (EEG) with auditory or vibrotactile stimuli

Intervention Type OTHER

Two paradigms will be used: an auditory frequency tagging paradigm with interspersed pitch oddballs and a classical sensory gating paradigm with either vibrotactile stimuli or auditory clicks.

Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Children with a confirmed diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder made by a qualified psychiatrist.

Discrimination Acuity test

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Estimating the just-noticeable difference of auditory loudness and vibrotactile displacement to fit a psychometric function for each modality with parameters: threshold, slope, sensitivity, and response criterion.

Transiently Evoked Otoacoustic Emission

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Examination of integrity of outer hair cells in the inner ear; with and without contralateral suppression.

Questionnaires

Intervention Type OTHER

Caregiver questionnaires send to parents online to acquire demographic information Autism Quotient (AQ), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL6-16), Sensory Profile 2 (SP-2).

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Estimates intelligence quotient

Electroencephalography (EEG) with auditory or vibrotactile stimuli

Intervention Type OTHER

Two paradigms will be used: an auditory frequency tagging paradigm with interspersed pitch oddballs and a classical sensory gating paradigm with either vibrotactile stimuli or auditory clicks.

Clinical tests of ADHD

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

ADHD-Rating Scale (ADHD-RS)

Neurotypical children

Children without a known or presumed psychiatric diagnosis.

Discrimination Acuity test

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Estimating the just-noticeable difference of auditory loudness and vibrotactile displacement to fit a psychometric function for each modality with parameters: threshold, slope, sensitivity, and response criterion.

Transiently Evoked Otoacoustic Emission

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Examination of integrity of outer hair cells in the inner ear; with and without contralateral suppression.

Questionnaires

Intervention Type OTHER

Caregiver questionnaires send to parents online to acquire demographic information Autism Quotient (AQ), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL6-16), Sensory Profile 2 (SP-2).

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Estimates intelligence quotient

Electroencephalography (EEG) with auditory or vibrotactile stimuli

Intervention Type OTHER

Two paradigms will be used: an auditory frequency tagging paradigm with interspersed pitch oddballs and a classical sensory gating paradigm with either vibrotactile stimuli or auditory clicks.

Interventions

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Discrimination Acuity test

Estimating the just-noticeable difference of auditory loudness and vibrotactile displacement to fit a psychometric function for each modality with parameters: threshold, slope, sensitivity, and response criterion.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Transiently Evoked Otoacoustic Emission

Examination of integrity of outer hair cells in the inner ear; with and without contralateral suppression.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Questionnaires

Caregiver questionnaires send to parents online to acquire demographic information Autism Quotient (AQ), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL6-16), Sensory Profile 2 (SP-2).

Intervention Type OTHER

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V)

Estimates intelligence quotient

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Clinical tests of ASD

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd edition (ADOS-2)

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Electroencephalography (EEG) with auditory or vibrotactile stimuli

Two paradigms will be used: an auditory frequency tagging paradigm with interspersed pitch oddballs and a classical sensory gating paradigm with either vibrotactile stimuli or auditory clicks.

Intervention Type OTHER

Clinical tests of ADHD

ADHD-Rating Scale (ADHD-RS)

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Clinically diagnosed with either ADHD, ASD, or no diagnosis (typical development)
* Between 8-15 years old

Exclusion Criteria

* Familiar history of schizophrenia and depression.
* Epilepsy, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury
* Musculoskeletal illnesses
* Hearing or visual impairment that cannot be corrected
* Lack of ability to cooperate
* Parents cannot read Danish
Minimum Eligible Age

8 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

15 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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North Denmark Region

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role collaborator

Aalborg University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Daniel Skak Mazhari-Jensen

PhD-Fellow

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Health Science and Technology

Aalborg, North Denmark, Denmark

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Denmark

Central Contacts

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Sabata Gervasio

Role: CONTACT

9940 8820

Daniel Skak Mazhari-Jensen

Role: CONTACT

Facility Contacts

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Sabata Gervasio

Role: primary

9940 8820

Daniel Skak Mazhari-Jensen

Role: backup

Other Identifiers

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N-20200091

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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