Event-Related Potential Responses of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Development to Atypical Auditory Processing-a Narrative Review

Abstract Purpose of Review This review synthesizes the current literature on event-related potential (ERP) responses to auditory stimulation in individuals with autism spectrum development (ASD), highlighting key findings across various ERP components and stages of auditory processing. Recent Findings Studies have documented atypicality in early sensory ERP components like the P1 and N1 in ASD, suggesting impairments in initial auditory registration and detection of changes. Findings related to the mismatch negativity (MMN), an index of pre-attentive auditory discrimination, reveal both enhanced and diminished responses, underscoring heterogeneity within the ASD population. Later components associated with auditory attention and resource allocation (N2, P3a, P3b) also exhibit atypicality, indicating difficulties in stimulus classification, attentional orienting, and context updating. Some studies report that increased P3a amplitudes, suggesting hyper-responsivity at the attentional level. ERP components have been linked to co-occurring issues like behavior problems and psychosis risk in ASD. Summary This review highlights a complex pattern of auditory processing differences in ASD, with evidence of both enhanced and diminished capabilities across various ERP components. These differences may contribute to sensory sensitivities, communication challenges, and co-occurring conditions observed in ASD. The findings underscore the need for further research to elucidate neural mechanisms, explore individual variability, and develop tailored interventions. The complex interplay between sensory processing, attention, and cognitive functions, as well as the heterogeneity within the ASD population, presents challenges but also opportunities for advancing our understanding and improving outcomes.