Choice Switching and Autism

NCT04631432 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 109171Technion institute 109171
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 114
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The study aims to replicate and clarify a recently observed phenomenon whereby individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) switch between options in a repeated task to a greater extent than healthy controls do. In a meta-analysis a large effect size was found (.37) yet because the effect was noisy in different studies it was not statistically significant. The investigators seek to first examine a very large population through an Internet mediated platform. The sample size will be about the size of all of the previous studies that examined this issue together. Secondly, the investigators wish to understand the discrepancy between this choice switching phenomenon and the recorded tendency of ASD individuals to avoid changing choices. First, the investigators will administer the task in which the effect was found (the Iowa Gambling task) for a longer duration than previously and evaluate whether ASD individuals show increased choice switching in the first blocks of trials but reduced switching following more experience. Secondly, the investigators will administer an additional block of trials without feedback in which participants will not be able to go through a learning process. The investigators predict that this will reduce (and possible flip) the tendency of individuals with ASD to switch choices more often.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Keywords

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Decision Making

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Mean run size

  Number of consecutive selections from the same deck (across trials and in different blocks).

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year

• Advantageous selections

  Percentage of advantageous selections(across trials and in different blocks).

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year

Study Arms (1)

Study participation

All participants will complete the same protocol

Diagnostic Test: Pre-screening; Behavioral: Task session

Interventions

Pre-screening DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Document upload of Autism diagnosis certificate. Participants can request to show their certificate via a Zoom meeting with the researcher instead of uploading it.

Study participation

Task session BEHAVIORAL

The Iowa Gambling task- four decks of cards on the computer screen. Each card yields a reward, but might also yield a loss. In each trial, the participant selects a card. Consequently, the card is exposed, displaying the gain and the loss for that trial. Through contingent feedback, participants are expected to learn that some deck are better than others.The task will include 120 trials. Block of trials without feedback- four decks of cards on the computer screen. Each card yields a reward, but might also yield a loss. In each trial, the participant selects a card. Consequently, the card is exposed, but the gain and the loss for that trial are not displayed. The task will include 30 trials. Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Edition (SRS-2; adult-self report):(Constantino \& Gruber, 2012) The brief autism quotient scale:(AQ10; Baron-Cohen et al., 2001) Brief intelligence test (Similarities-MAB + Raven Set 1)

Study participation

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Gender Eligibility Details: Same proportion of males and females from the two groups.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

We will recruit participants using websites for recruiting experimental participants worldwide.

You may qualify if:

• ASD group - Diagnosed with ASD
• Control - No ASD diagnosis: within age and education range of the ASD group.

You may not qualify if:

• Demographics: Under 18 years of age.
• Mental health: self reported brain injury and neurological disorder (besides autism).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Technion, Israel Institute of Technology: lead

Study Sites (1)

Technion, Israel Institute of Technology

Haifa, Israel

Location

Related Publications (4)

• Zeif D, Yechiam E. Autism is not associated with poor or enhanced performance on the Iowa Gambling Task: A Meta-Analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020 Jun;113:440-447. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.04.016. Epub 2020 Apr 18.

  PMID: 32311370 BACKGROUND

• Bechara A, Damasio AR, Damasio H, Anderson SW. Insensitivity to future consequences following damage to human prefrontal cortex. Cognition. 1994 Apr-Jun;50(1-3):7-15. doi: 10.1016/0010-0277(94)90018-3.

  PMID: 8039375 BACKGROUND

• Ozonoff S. Reliability and validity of the Wisconsin card sorting test in studies of autism. Neuropsychology. 1995;9(4):491.

  BACKGROUND

• Gaeth GJ, Levin IP, Jain G, Data EV. Toward understanding everyday decision making by adults across the autism spectrum. Judgment and Decision Making. 2016 Nov 1;11(6):537.

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Dana Zeif, MSc

  Technion, Israel Institute of Technology

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Ofir Yakobi, PhD

  University of Waterloo

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Eldad Yechaim, Professor

  Technion, Israel Institute of Technology

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 4, 2020
• First Posted: November 17, 2020
• Study Start: January 1, 2021
• Primary Completion: August 13, 2021
• Study Completion: September 13, 2021
• Last Updated: April 27, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-04

Locations

IL (1)