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Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Gepubliceerd in:

01-11-2014 | Original Paper

Oblique Orientation Discrimination Thresholds Are Superior in Those with a High Level of Autistic Traits

Auteurs: Abigail Dickinson, Myles Jones, Elizabeth Milne

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 11/2014

Abstract

Enhanced low-level perception, although present in individuals with autism, is not seen in individuals with high, but non-clinical, levels of autistic traits (Brock et al.in Percept Lond 40(6):739. doi:10.1068/p6953, 2011). This is surprising, as many of the higher-level visual differences found in autism have been shown to correlate with autistic traits in non-clinical samples. Here we measure vertical–oblique and, more difficult, oblique–oblique orientation discrimination thresholds in a non-clinical sample. As predicted, oblique–oblique thresholds provided a more sensitive test of orientation discrimination, and were negatively related to autistic traits (N = 94, r = −.356, p < .0001). We conclude that individual differences in orientation discrimination and autistic traits are related, and suggest that both of these factors could be mediated by increased levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA.

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Titel: Oblique Orientation Discrimination Thresholds Are Superior in Those with a High Level of Autistic Traits
Auteurs: Abigail Dickinson
Myles Jones
Elizabeth Milne
Publicatiedatum: 01-11-2014
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders / Uitgave 11/2014
Print ISSN: 0162-3257
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3432
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2147-1

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