Abstract: Objective To explore the characteristics and differences on speech-evoked auditory brainstem responses (speech-ABR) between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and healthy children,and to investigate the relationship between speech-ABR and language development level. Methods Totally 18 healthy children and 15 children with ASD were enrolled in this study.The children's ability assessment was performed by specialists by using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS),the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS),and the Gesell Development Diagnosis Scale (GDDS).All participants were tested by speech-ABR examinations.The latency,duration and amplitude of each wave were recorded. Results All waves latency of transient responses of speech-ABR in ASD children were delayed.Latency of sustained responses of E wave and F wave were significantly delayed.The language scores in GDDS were negatively correlated with the wave V,wave A and wave F latency in ASD(r=-0.525,-0.563,-0.580,P=0.04,0.029,0.024). Conclusion Brainstem deficits in ASD are manifested in the reduction of nerve synchronization.Brainstem and cortical encoding of speech sounds dysfunction may contribute to the language and social communication impairment in ASD.

Key words: autism spectrum disorder, children, speech-evoked auditory brainstem responses, language proficiency

摘要： 目的 探讨孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)儿童与正常儿童在言语诱发的听性脑干反应中的表现特征与差异,同时考察其与语言发育水平的关系。方法 招募符合研究标准的正常儿童18例,孤独症儿童15例。由专科医生进行能力评估,包括儿童孤独症评定量表(CARS)、孤独症诊断观察量表(ADOS)、盖塞尔发育量表(GDDS),并进行言语诱发的听性脑干反应(speech-ABR)测试,记录各波潜伏期、波间期与波幅。结果 孤独症儿童speech-ABR的瞬态成分各波潜伏期均出现延迟,持续性成分中E波、F波潜伏期延迟。孤独症儿童speech-ABR的V波、A波、F波潜伏期与盖赛尔发育量表中的语言维度成绩显示负相关(r=-0.525、-0.563、-0.580,P=0.04、0.029、0.024)。结论 孤独症儿童对言语声刺激的神经编码受损,具体表现为神经同步性的降低。脑干及皮层的听觉通路受损可能是孤独症语言功能受损的重要原因。

关键词: 孤独症, 儿童, 言语诱发的听性脑干反应, 语言水平