Auditory sustained potential as a biomarker of language functioning in children with autism and its implication in clinical trials.
4 affiliations
- 1Azrieli Research Center of CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- 2Department of Neuroscience, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- 3Department of Nutrition, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- 4Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Abstract
Objective
Most children with autism have language impairment, however, its neural mechanisms are not well understood. A potential biomarker associated with language in autism is a 40Hz Auditory Steady-State Response (ASSR) triggered by periodic click-trains which in electroencephalogram (EEG) evokes two types of responses - 40Hz steady-state gamma response (ASSR) and sustained potential (SP). Although these responses represent low-level auditory processing, they correspond to different stages of sound perception/analysis and are essential in processing of spectrally/temporally complex sounds. However, until now there were no studies focusing on the potentials of these responses in clinical trials.Methods
The present open-label pilot study evaluated the effects of the probiotic beverage supplement Bio-K+ in children with autism (N = 19). Participants were assessed at three timepoints: T0 (baseline), T14 (14 weeks after intervention), and T22 (8 weeks after intervention, post-supplementation follow-up assessment), including EEG 40Hz ASSR and behavioral phenotyping.Results
First, at T0 we showed a reduction of SP amplitude in children with autism compared to controls, and this reduction was associated with lower speech/language/communication scores. Second, the amplitude of SP became significantly more negative during the probiotic supplementation period and, by T14, was no longer significantly different from the observed in TD controls. Finally, these changes in the amplitude of SP were associated with improvement in speech/language/communication scores.Conclusions
This study showed that the SP as well as its change was related specifically to speech/language/communication but not to other behavioral measures and has a potential to be used in future clinical trials.
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BibTeX
@article{arutiunian2026auditory,
title = {{Auditory sustained potential as a biomarker of language functioning in children with autism and its implication in clinical trials.}},
author = {Vardan Arutiunian and Saeideh Davoudi and Ghizlane Gaougaou and Inga Sophia Knoth and Rae Buckser and Valérie Marcil and Sarah Lippé},
journal = {Frontiers in psychiatry},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1892698},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42903599},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Auditory sustained potential as a biomarker of language functioning in children with autism and its implication in clinical trials.
AU - Vardan Arutiunian
AU - Saeideh Davoudi
AU - Ghizlane Gaougaou
AU - Inga Sophia Knoth
AU - Rae Buckser
AU - Valérie Marcil
AU - Sarah Lippé
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/06
JO - Frontiers in psychiatry
DO - 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1892698
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42903599
AB - Objective Most children with autism have language impairment, however, its neural mechanisms are not well understood. A potential biomarker associated with language in autism is a 40Hz Auditory Steady-State Response (ASSR) triggered by periodic click-trains which in electroencephalogram (EEG) evokes two types of responses - 40Hz steady-state gamma response (ASSR) and sustained potential (SP). Although these responses represent low-level auditory processing, they correspond to different stages of sound perception/analysis and are essential in processing of spectrally/temporally complex sounds. However, until now there were no studies focusing on the potentials of these responses in clinical trials.Methods The present open-label pilot study evaluated the effects of the probiotic beverage supplement Bio-K+ in children with autism (N = 19). Participants were assessed at three timepoints: T0 (baseline), T14 (14 weeks after intervention), and T22 (8 weeks after intervention, post-supplementation follow-up assessment), including EEG 40Hz ASSR and behavioral phenotyping.Results First, at T0 we showed a reduction of SP amplitude in children with autism compared to controls, and this reduction was associated with lower speech/language/communication scores. Second, the amplitude of SP became significantly more negative during the probiotic supplementation period and, by T14, was no longer significantly different from the observed in TD controls. Finally, these changes in the amplitude of SP were associated with improvement in speech/language/communication scores.Conclusions This study showed that the SP as well as its change was related specifically to speech/language/communication but not to other behavioral measures and has a potential to be used in future clinical trials.
SN - 1664-0640
ER -