Pain Perception in Autism Using Quantitative Sensory Testing and EEG Brain Activity

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating sensory and pain perception in neurodivergent children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study uses quantitative sensory testing (QST), a standardized method, to assess perception across several sensory types including heat sensations and mechanical detection. Additionally, the study records brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG) to explore differences in how painful stimuli are processed in the brain between autistic and non-autistic participants, and how these differences relate to behavioral and psychological measures. The study involves two groups: children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 with ASD diagnosis, and healthy children and adolescents in the same age range without neurological or psychiatric conditions. Participants undergo a series of assessments including questionnaires to characterize clinical aspects of autism followed by QST to measure sensory thresholds such as thermal detection and pain thresholds, mechanical detection and pain thresholds, vibration sensitivity, and pressure pain. The QST is adapted individually to ensure comfort and engagement, using a playful, animal-themed environment. EEG recording is performed during rest and while receiving up to 30 controlled heat stimuli to the hand, capturing brain responses to painful thermal stimuli. Participants attend multiple sessions over approximately 2 to 3 days. Questionnaires and QST take about 1.5 hours and may be split into sessions for comfort. EEG recording lasts around 30 minutes in a single session. Researchers measure sensory and pain thresholds through QST and analyze EEG data to assess brain responses in both time and frequency domains. These measures aim to understand differences in sensory processing and pain perception between autistic and non-autistic children, while also relating these findings to psychopathology and behavioral profiles.

Quantitative Sensory Testing to Study Pain Perception in Autism