Audiovisual integration and the P2 component in adult Asperger?s syndrome: An ERP-study

摘要

Background: A widened temporal window of integration (TWI) in audiovisual processing has been detected for children with autism spectrum disorder. However, research indicates a narrowing of this TWI and an associated change in audiovisual integration in the course of development. Methods: To further elucidate audiovisual integration processes in adulthood, we compared adult participants with Asperger?s Syndrome (AS) to healthy controls (HC) by using the sound-induced double flash illusion. For a better understanding of underlying neural mechanisms, event-related potentials were measured via electroencephalography (EEG). Results: The number of reported sound-induced flash illusions indicated audiovisual integration. A similar TWI size for both, participants with AS and HC, was found. Additionally, enhanced P2 amplitudes were detected for participants with AS compared to HC. Conclusion: Results indicate an involvement of attentional processes in audiovisual perception in participants with AS.