Motor Memory Deficits Contribute to Motor Impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Kristina A. Neely, Suman Mohanty, Lauren M. Schmitt, Zheng Wang, John A. Sweeney, Matthew W. Mosconi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sensorimotor abnormalities are common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, the processes underlying these deficits remain unclear. This study examined force production with and without visual feedback to determine if individuals with ASD can utilize internal representations to guide sustained force. Individuals with ASD showed a faster rate of force decay in the absence of visual feedback. Comparison of force output and tests of social and verbal abilities demonstrated a link between motor memory impairment and social and verbal deficits in individuals with ASD. This finding suggests that deficits in storage or retrieval of motor memories contribute to sensorimotor deficits and implicates frontoparietal networks involved in short-term consolidation of action dynamics used to optimize ongoing motor output.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
DOIs
StateAccepted/In press - May 7 2016

Keywords

  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Motor
  • Precision grip
  • Visual feedback
  • Working memory

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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