Investigating Aberrant Salience in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Psychosis Risk : A Cross-Group Analysis

Abstract

Aim: This study investigates the expression of aberrant salience (AS) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), those at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) and help-seeking individuals without formal diagnoses. Methods: Ninety-nine participants, 44 males and 55 females (age range 17–39 years), met the inclusion criteria of absence of major neurological disorders, intellectual disabilities or substance-related conditions. None were receiving antipsychotic treatment. Based on clinical evaluations, participants were categorised into three groups: ASD (n = 23), Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome (APS) (n = 27) and help-seekers (n = 49). The Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI) was administered. Results: Significant differences were observed in ASI total and subscale scores among groups. Post hoc analyses showed significantly higher ASI scores in the ASD and APS groups compared to help-seekers, but no significant differences between ASD and APS. Conclusions: These findings suggest an overlap in AS processing between ASD and psychosis-spectrum conditions, supporting AS as a transdiagnostic construct.