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Objectives: This study examines the neurocognitive profile of a HF-ASD sample comparing with a healthy control group in a full range neurocognitive battery of tests, including executive function assessment. Also, we analyze the relationship of neuropsychological performance with symptoms’ severity and comorbidities.
Methods: Participants include 15 individuals (ages: 8-13) with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HF-ASD group). Primary DSM-IV diagnoses in HF-ASD group are: high-functioning autism spectrum disorder and Asperger syndrome, without mental retardation. Control group include 10 healthy subjects sex and age matched. All subjects are being tested on a neuropsychological battery to assess intellectual functioning, working memory, process speed, verbal and non-verbal memory, sustained attention and executive functions (visual-spatial organization, response inhibition, set shifting, planning). Autism symptoms severity will be assessed with the High Functioning Autism Spectrum screening questionnaire (ASSQ) (Ehlers et al, 1999).
Results: Attending to neurocognitive profiles, executive dysfunction is hypothesised in whole HF-ASD group. Also, we expect Asperger syndrome patients to show lower scores in visual-spatial functions, including non-verbal IQ, than healthy subjects. Regarding symptoms correlations, we hypothesy a negative relationship between executive dysfunction severity and symptoms measured with ASSQ. Comorbidities, if present, will be also negatively correlated with neurocognitive performance. ADHD comorbidity will implies worse performance in executive functions, sustained attention and verbal memory.
Conclusions: We expect results support the hypothesis that neurocognitive profile of HF-ASD patients is a valid source of information, which could help us to understand autism spectrum disorders and the relationship between their cognition and their symptoms.