Molecular and Neurological Aspects of Sensory Processing Disorders

Dear Colleagues,

The physiological sensory information process is critical during development because from birth we are surrounded by stimuli that we have to encode, such as smell, taste, and touch. Sensory processing disorders (SPDs) affect the ability to detect and respond to sensory stimuli, impairing different sensory systems, e.g., auditory, taste, touch, and vestibular systems. Patients show extreme pathological reactions to stimuli which have a negative impact on other aspects of daily life such as attention, communication, stress, and sleep. Studies have demonstrated a possible genetic component and that SPDs seem to be linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders. Importantly, functional neuroimaging studies have reported abnormal brain activity in people with SPD, while diffusion tensor imaging has been used to examine microstructural integrity in the brains of these patients while also focusing on the correlation between white matter structure and connectivity. Despite this evidence, SPDs still remain not fully understood, which means that new scientific approaches and technological advances must continue to be combined in order to completely understand SPDs. Moreover, it could be useful to use innovative diagnostic and treatment tools for early diagnosis and a more efficacious treatment.

The main aim of this research topic is to reach the state of the art about SPDs from the molecular and neurological point of view. All types of articles are welcome from case reports to reviews in order to report all innovative results. Another aim is to provide a new starting point for new research in order to highlight and more deeply understand the pathological mechanisms to enable early diagnosis and a more efficacious treatment.

Dr. Laura Clara Grandi
Dr. Daniele Corbo
Dr. Stefania Bruni
Guest Editors

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• sensory processing
• sensory processing disorders
• SPDs
• sensory stimuli
• brain activity
• genetic
• functional neuroimaging studies

Title: Neuronal correlate between sensory processing disorders and deficit hyperactivity disorders: a narrative review
Authors: Daniele Corbo; Laura Clara Grandi
Affiliation: 1 Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy 2 Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano 20126, Italy
Abstract: The sensory system plays a critical role in the development since allow us to correcting process the internal-external interaction, through the detecting and the encoding of the external stimuli. Dysfunctions of this system lead to the sensory integration lack, thus to the sensory processing disorders (SPDs). PSD affects about 5%–13% of 4-6 years old children affecting not just their ability to respond to sensory information from environment, but also their social interaction and regulation of emotions, as well as the motor actions, learning, attention, communication and sleep. SPDs have extensively studied under different aspects, from molecular to behavioural ones but the pathological mechanisms still remain under debate. Moreover, while there are many studies investigating the behavioural consequences of SPDs, that are used for diagnostic aim, more are needed to find biomarkers. Indeed, since SPDs are often misdiagnosed with behavioural related dysfunction, e.g. autism spectrum disorder, it is urgent to develop new diagnostic tool, therefore targeting therapies. SPDs are misdiagnosed with the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Nevertheless, despite their similarity for behavioural symptoms and consequences, they have different causes, involved different neuronal circuits and therefore have different treatments. In this narrative review we aim to provide an overview of the literature on molecular and neuroimaging findings about SPDs. We will concentrate on the interaction between SPDs and ADHD, highlight the similarity and the differences, to more deeply understand the differences in pathological mechanisms and in turn to highlight unique possible biomarkers, diagnostic and therapeutic tools.