# Neural biomarkers of sensory symptoms in autism

> **NIH NIH R03** · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $78,750

## Abstract

Project Summary
Sensory symptoms are a core diagnostic feature of autism and cause substantial functional impairment.
Auditory processing is one of the most affected domains and is hypothesized to play a role in the socio-
communicative and restricted/repetitive behavior symptoms in autism. Measurement of real-time auditory
processing using electroencephalography (EEG) has shown that latency delays and reduced gamma
synchrony are potential powerful biomarkers in autism. Using EEG, we have shown that auditory processing is
dependent on attention abilities among autistic adults. Compared to neurotypical peers, autistic adults showed
delayed auditory latencies and reduced gamma synchrony during a passive listening task. However, autistic
adults showed more efficient neural processing (typical latencies and gamma synchrony) when they were
actively engaged with the auditory stimuli. Additionally, we showed a strong association between longer
latencies and greater sensory and social symptoms on behavioral self-report measures. Using innovative
structural equation modeling, we validated a model of brain-behavior relationships, wherein attention mediated
the relationship between delayed latencies (EEG) and behavioral sensory symptoms, that together predicted
social behaviors in autistic adults. Given these compelling findings in autistic adults, it is crucial that we validate
these findings in children on the autism spectrum. In aim 1, we will determine the role of attention (top-down)
on neural auditory processing in autistic children. We hypothesize that compared to age-matched typically
developing peers, autistic children will show delayed latencies and reduced gamma synchrony during a
passive auditory paired-click paradigm and show more typical latencies and gamma synchrony during an
active paired-click paradigm involving a motor response. In aim 2, we will validate a novel brain-behavior
model of attention, sensory processing, and social behaviors. We hypothesize that attention will mediate the
relationship between auditory EEG measures and behavioral parent-report measures of sensory symptoms
and social responsiveness in children on the autism spectrum. We will use structural equation modeling to
assess this model. In aim 3, we will determine the reliability of brain-behavior relationships of auditory EEG
measures. We hypothesize that auditory latencies and gamma synchrony will show strong test-retest reliability
when tested one-week and 6-months apart with maintained brain-behavior relationships to clinical correlates of
autism. Results generated here will systematically validate a novel model that determines the role of top-down
attention on sensory symptoms in autism using a multi-model approach. These results will provide a framework
to measure pharmacological and behavioral therapies for attention in autism. Validation of auditory EEG
biomarkers of latency and gamma synchrony will provide an innovative, objective, and reliable method of
measur...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10889643
- **Project number:** 1R03MH134135-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jewel Elias Crasta
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $78,750
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10889643

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10889643, Neural biomarkers of sensory symptoms in autism (1R03MH134135-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10889643. Licensed CC0.

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