Cerebellar dysfunction, cognitive flexibility and autistic traits in a non-clinical sample

Journal article


Ridley, Nicole, Homewood, Judi and Walters, Jenny. (2011). Cerebellar dysfunction, cognitive flexibility and autistic traits in a non-clinical sample. Autism. 15(6), pp. 728 - 745. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361310395956
AuthorsRidley, Nicole, Homewood, Judi and Walters, Jenny
Abstract

A B S T R AC T Cerebellar dysfunction and impaired cognitive flexibility are key features of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, despite the increasing interest in subclinical autism, no research has yet examined the relationship between these signs and autistic traits in the wider population. This study used the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) questionnaire to assess autistic traits in university students enrolled in either systems-oriented or humanities degree programmes. Participants also completed a battery of motor tasks designed to assess cerebellar function, and subscales from the Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) battery. Students enrolled in systems-oriented degrees had on average higher AQ scores than students enrolled in humanities degrees. The data showed a significant correlation between autistic traits and motor function scores, as well as between autistic traits and verbal set-shifting ability, as assessed on the D-KEFS. These data provide support for the autistic spectrum hypothesis, in indicating that key cognitive, neurological and behavioural features of autism carry over into non-clinical populations.

Keywordscerebellum; autistic traits; AQ; cognitiveflexibility; autismspectrumquotient
Year2011
JournalAutism
Journal citation15 (6), pp. 728 - 745
PublisherSAGE Publications
ISSN1362-3613
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361310395956
Scopus EID2-s2.0-84856489509
Page range728 - 745
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Controlled
Place of publicationUnited Kingdom
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https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/86866/cerebellar-dysfunction-cognitive-flexibility-and-autistic-traits-in-a-non-clinical-sample

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