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Altered sensory processing especially in the auditory system is considered a typical observation in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Auditory temporal processing is known to be impaired in ASD children. Although research suggests that auditory temporal processing abnormalities could be responsible for the core aspects of ASD, few studies have examined early time processing and their results have been conflicting. The present event-related potential (ERP) study investigated the early neural responses to duration and inter-stimulus interval (ISI) deviants in nonspeech contexts in children with ASD and a control group of typically developing (TD) children matched in terms of age and IQ. A passive auditory oddball paradigm was employed to elicit the mismatch negativity (MMN) for change detection considering both the duration and ISI-based stimulus. The MMN results showed that the ASD group had a relatively diminished amplitude and significant delayed latency in response to duration deviants. The findings are finally discussed in terms of hyper-hyposensitivity of auditory processing and the fact that the observed patterns may potentially act as risk factors for ASD development within the research domain criteria (RDoC) framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the common neurodevelopmental diseases that are accompanied with EEG pattern changes and Low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. Neurofeedback provides a feedback signal to alleviate brain wave abnormalities and offers an alternative therapy for ADHD. This study aimed to investigate the concomitant effects of Vitamin D3 supplementation and Neurofeedback on children with ADHD. This study was implemented on children with an established diagnosis of ADHD who received multisession Neurofeedback therapy. The intervention and control groups received 50000 IU vitamin D3 capsules and placebo respectively once a week for 2 months. The background rhythm was measured using quantitative EEG both before and at the end duration of the therapy. All of the vitamin D3 treated children showed a significant increase in the 25(OH)D (46 ± 18, 28 ± 10 (ng/ml), p = 0.001) and serum calcium level (9.5 ± 0.5, 9.8 ± 0.3 (mg/dl), p = 0.003) compared to the baseline. There were a statistically significant decrease in the treatment group about theta relative power, theta/beta, and theta/alpha power ratios within two eyes conditions (p = 0.004). All the changes were significant within eye open state in the treatment group (2.4 ± 1.2, 1.7 ± 0.5, p = 0.01). There is a significant relationship between Connors scores and some brain waves improvement (in relative theta (r = 0.998) and theta-to-beta power difference score (r = 0.56) (p < 0.001). Concomitant use of vitamin D3 supplementation and neurofeedback, increases the serum level of this vitamin and reveal favorable electrophysiological results in children with ADHD. Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: IRCT20200922048802N1.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aetiology and molecular mechanisms of schizophrenia (SCZ) and paranoid personality disorder (PPD) are not yet clarified. The present study aimed to assess the role of mitochondrial complex I and cell bioenergetic pathways in the aetiology and characteristics of SCZ and PPD. Methods: mRNA levels of all genomic and mitochondrial genes which encode mitochondrial complex I subunits (44 genes) were assessed in blood in 634 SCZ, 340 PPD patients and 528 non-psychiatric subjects using quantitative real-time PCR, and associated comprehensive psychiatric, neurological and biochemical assessments. Results: Significant expression changes of 18 genes in SCZ patients and 11 genes in PPD patients were detected in mitochondrial complex I. Most of these genes were novel candidate genes for SCZ and PPD. Several correlations between mRNA levels and severity of symptoms, drug response, deficits in attention, working memory, executive functions and brain activities were found. Conclusions: Deregulations of both core and supernumerary subunits of complex I are involved in the aetiology of SCZ and PPD. These deregulations have effects on brain activity as well as disorder characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent disorders in children that is considered to affect early stages of information processes. Inefficient processing of temporal information, which is a vital auditory processing skill suggests itself as a potential candidate for investigating ADHD deficits. The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC), a neuroscience-based research framework, has been introduced to study mental illness without relying on pre-established diagnostic categories. In this regard, Mismatch Negativity (MMN) has been considered an ideal electrophysiological marker for investigating ADHD deficits. This study investigates alterations in the amplitude and latency of the MMN component in response to changes in the duration and Inter-Stimulus Interval (ISI) of basic sound stimuli within an oddball task. The MMN paradigm was employed to examine duration deviations in ADHD ( n  = 25, 84% male, mean age: 7.3 years, SD = 2.01) compared to Control group of typically developing (TD) children ( n  = 25, 72% male, mean age: 7.2 years, SD = 1.92). Participants with ADHD were introduced from an accredited psychiatrist. TD children were recruited from social media and online forms. Both groups were matched in terms of gender, age and IQ. The psychological tests conducted in this study included Conners' Parent Rating Scale (CPRS), Gilliam Autism Rating Scale|Third Edition (Gars3), Sensory profile questionnaire and Edinburgh Handedness inventory. Our findings revealed reduced MMN amplitudes in response to two blocks of duration and ISI-based deviations in ADHD children. To elaborate in greater detail, at Fz, in Duration and ISI block, respectively, the ADHD group showed an amplitude of -1.2097 ± 0.2938 and -0.8553 ± 0.4423, while the normal group showed an amplitude of -1.8325 ± 0.3689 and -2.0855 ± 0.3802. Additionally, at Cz, the ADHD group exhibited a shorter amplitude (-1.2515 ± 0.3261 and -0.9367 ± 0.3432) compared to the normal group (-2.1319 ± 0.4445 and -2.7561 ± 0.4883), in the duration and ISI blocks, respectively. Furthermore, children with ADHD display longer MMN latencies in both experimental blocks, suggesting atypical responses. To provide more detail, at Fz, the ADHD group displayed MMN latencies of 239.68 ± 5.059 and 226.88 ± 4.885 in the Duration and ISI blocks, respectively, whereas the normal group showed MMN latencies of 228.56 ± 6.584 and 213.56 ± 4.153. Similarly, at Cz, the ADHD group exhibited longer MMN latencies (234.40 ± 5.741 and 231.44 ± 5.464) compared to the normal group (227.52 ± 6.710 and 218.00 ± 5.261) in the Duration and ISI blocks, respectively. Our findings were interpreted in the context of the internal clock model, which involves the pace of an internal pacemaker regulated by dopamine (DA) levels. The convergence of MMN and auditory timing abnormalities within the RDoC framework suggests their potential as endophenotypes for ADHD, highlighting the significance of sensory processing in understanding the disorder.