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Neurophysiological alterations during sensory processing in autism - a meta-analysis.

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Title: Neurophysiological alterations during sensory processing in autism - a meta-analysis.
Authors: Ghosh, Anjuli (AUTHOR), Nasarre-Nacenta, Natalia (AUTHOR), Baumeister, Sarah (AUTHOR), Holz, Nathalie E. (AUTHOR), Banaschewski, Tobias (AUTHOR), Brandeis, Daniel (AUTHOR), Aggensteiner, Pascal-M. (AUTHOR), Kaiser, Anna (AUTHOR)
Source: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Mar2026, Vol. 35 Issue 3, p767-784. 18p.
Subjects: Senses, Neurologic examination, Statistical models, Task performance, Research funding, Neurophysiology, Autism, Evoked potentials (Electrophysiology), Electroencephalography, Probability theory, Meta-analysis, Descriptive statistics, Systematic reviews, MEDLINE, Language disorders, Asperger's syndrome, Online information services, Data analysis software, Confidence intervals, Psychology information storage & retrieval systems, Publication bias, Evaluation
Abstract: While sensory processing alterations in autism are well-documented, the neurophysiological correlates remain unclear. This meta-analysis examined differences in early event-related potentials (ERP) and event-related fields (ERF) between autistic and non-autistic individuals using electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography to identify neurophysiological alterations that may underlie variations in sensory perception, communication, and social interaction in autism. Following PRISMA guidelines, a database search was conducted for peer-reviewed studies published from January 1980 onwards. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using the metafor package in R. Standardised mean-group differences in early ERP/ERF latencies and amplitudes were analysed with moderator analyses exploring demographic and methodological factors, including neurophysiological technique, sensory modality, age group, sex, and language impairment. 145 studies (3778 autistic, 3484 non-autistic participants) were included. Autistic individuals exhibited significantly longer latencies in P/M50 (SMD = 0.44; SE = 0.21; 95% CI 0.03–0.86; p = 0.04), P/M100 (SMD = 0.18; SE = 0.08; 95% CI 0.01–0.36; p = 0.03), N170 (SMD = 0.33; SE = 0.12; 95% CI 0.10–0.56; p = 0.01), and P/M200 (SMD = 0.30; SE = 0.09; 95% CI 0.12–0.48; p = 0.00) components. P/M50 showed the greatest latency alteration, with an effect-size nearing medium, especially in individuals with language impairment (QB(2) = 7.70, p = 0.02), followed by N170 most notable in autistic adolescents and adults (QB (3) = 12.30, p = 0.01). No significant amplitude alterations were found, and substantial heterogeneity was observed. Neurophysiological characteristics of sensory processing in autism implicate multiple mechanisms and stages given prolonged P/M50- and N170-latency (associated with sensory filtering challenges and social perception alterations, respectively). These component timings show potential as biomarkers, though heterogeneity and modest effect-sizes limit clinical application, highlighting the need for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Neurophysiological alterations during sensory processing in autism - a meta-analysis.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ghosh%2C+Anjuli%22">Ghosh, Anjuli</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nasarre-Nacenta%2C+Natalia%22">Nasarre-Nacenta, Natalia</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Baumeister%2C+Sarah%22">Baumeister, Sarah</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Holz%2C+Nathalie+E%2E%22">Holz, Nathalie E.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Banaschewski%2C+Tobias%22">Banaschewski, Tobias</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Brandeis%2C+Daniel%22">Brandeis, Daniel</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Aggensteiner%2C+Pascal-M%2E%22">Aggensteiner, Pascal-M.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kaiser%2C+Anna%22">Kaiser, Anna</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22European+Child+%26+Adolescent+Psychiatry%22">European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry</searchLink>. Mar2026, Vol. 35 Issue 3, p767-784. 18p.
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– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: While sensory processing alterations in autism are well-documented, the neurophysiological correlates remain unclear. This meta-analysis examined differences in early event-related potentials (ERP) and event-related fields (ERF) between autistic and non-autistic individuals using electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography to identify neurophysiological alterations that may underlie variations in sensory perception, communication, and social interaction in autism. Following PRISMA guidelines, a database search was conducted for peer-reviewed studies published from January 1980 onwards. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using the metafor package in R. Standardised mean-group differences in early ERP/ERF latencies and amplitudes were analysed with moderator analyses exploring demographic and methodological factors, including neurophysiological technique, sensory modality, age group, sex, and language impairment. 145 studies (3778 autistic, 3484 non-autistic participants) were included. Autistic individuals exhibited significantly longer latencies in P/M50 (SMD = 0.44; SE = 0.21; 95% CI 0.03–0.86; p = 0.04), P/M100 (SMD = 0.18; SE = 0.08; 95% CI 0.01–0.36; p = 0.03), N170 (SMD = 0.33; SE = 0.12; 95% CI 0.10–0.56; p = 0.01), and P/M200 (SMD = 0.30; SE = 0.09; 95% CI 0.12–0.48; p = 0.00) components. P/M50 showed the greatest latency alteration, with an effect-size nearing medium, especially in individuals with language impairment (QB(2) = 7.70, p = 0.02), followed by N170 most notable in autistic adolescents and adults (QB (3) = 12.30, p = 0.01). No significant amplitude alterations were found, and substantial heterogeneity was observed. Neurophysiological characteristics of sensory processing in autism implicate multiple mechanisms and stages given prolonged P/M50- and N170-latency (associated with sensory filtering challenges and social perception alterations, respectively). These component timings show potential as biomarkers, though heterogeneity and modest effect-sizes limit clinical application, highlighting the need for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1007/s00787-025-02917-0
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        Text: English
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    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Senses
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Neurologic examination
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Statistical models
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Task performance
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      – SubjectFull: Research funding
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      – SubjectFull: Neurophysiology
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      – SubjectFull: Autism
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Evoked potentials (Electrophysiology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Electroencephalography
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Probability theory
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      – SubjectFull: Meta-analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
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      – SubjectFull: Psychology information storage & retrieval systems
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      – SubjectFull: Evaluation
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              Text: Mar2026
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