1
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Yang Y, Chen D, Cai K, Zhu L, Shi Y, Dong X, Sun Z, Qiao Z, Yang Y, Zhang W, Mao H, Chen A. Effects of mini-basketball training program on social communication impairments and regional homogeneity of brain functions in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2024; 16:92. [PMID: 38659073 PMCID: PMC11040976 DOI: 10.1186/s13102-024-00885-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social communication impairments (SCI) is a core symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is marked by challenges in social interaction. Although physical exercise has been shown to improve SCI, this finding has not been supported by comprehensive scientific evidence. Existing research has established a strong link between the SCI in children with ASD and abnormalities in regional homogeneity (ReHo). Therefore, investigating the effects of physical exercise on SCI and Reho in patients with ASD may help to elucidate the neurological mechanisms involved. METHODS The present study included 30 preschool children diagnosed with ASD, with 15 participants in each group (experimental and control). The experimental group underwent a 12-week mini-basketball training program (MBTP) based on routine behavioral rehabilitation, while the control group only received routine behavioral rehabilitation. The Social Responsiveness Scale-Second Edition (SRS-2) was employed to assess SCI in both groups. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging technology was used to evaluate ReHo in both groups. RESULTS After 12-week of MBTP, significant group × time interactions were observed between the experimental and control groups in total SRS-2 scores (F = 14.514, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.341), as well as in the domains of social cognition (F = 15.620, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.358), social communication (F = 12.460, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.308), and autistic mannerisms (F = 9.970, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.263). No statistical difference was found in the scores for the social awareness subscale and social motivation subscale in the group × time interaction (all p > 0.05). The experimental group exhibited increased ReHo in the right Cerebellum_Crus1 and right parahippocampal gyrus, coupled with decreased ReHo in the left middle frontal gyrus (orbital part), left superior frontal gyrus (dorsolateral), left postcentral gyrus, and right superior parietal gyrus. Furthermore, a decrease in ReHo in the left postcentral gyrus positively correlated with changes in social communication scores in SCI behaviors (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our study underscores the effectiveness of a 12-week MBTP in ameliorating SCI and abnormalities in ReHo among preschool children with ASD. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial is retrospectively registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900024973; August 5, 2019).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dandan Chen
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kelong Cai
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lina Zhu
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yifan Shi
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Dong
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiyuan Sun
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiyuan Qiao
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yahui Yang
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weike Zhang
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haiyong Mao
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Aiguo Chen
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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2
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Wang M, Xu D, Zhang L, Jiang H. Application of Multimodal MRI in the Early Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3027. [PMID: 37835770 PMCID: PMC10571992 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13193027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in children. Early diagnosis and intervention can remodel the neural structure of the brain and improve quality of life but may be inaccurate if based solely on clinical symptoms and assessment scales. Therefore, we aimed to analyze multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from the existing literature and review the abnormal changes in brain structural-functional networks, perfusion, neuronal metabolism, and the glymphatic system in children with ASD, which could help in early diagnosis and precise intervention. Structural MRI revealed morphological differences, abnormal developmental trajectories, and network connectivity changes in the brain at different ages. Functional MRI revealed disruption of functional networks, abnormal perfusion, and neurovascular decoupling associated with core ASD symptoms. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed abnormal changes in the neuronal metabolites during different periods. Decreased diffusion tensor imaging signals along the perivascular space index reflected impaired glymphatic system function in children with ASD. Differences in age, subtype, degree of brain damage, and remodeling in children with ASD led to heterogeneity in research results. Multimodal MRI is expected to further assist in early and accurate clinical diagnosis of ASD through deep learning combined with genomics and artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaoyan Wang
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Children’s Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214000, China; (M.W.); (D.X.)
| | - Dandan Xu
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Children’s Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214000, China; (M.W.); (D.X.)
| | - Lili Zhang
- Department of Child Health Care, Affiliated Children’s Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214000, China
| | - Haoxiang Jiang
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Children’s Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214000, China; (M.W.); (D.X.)
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3
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Kashii H, Kasai S, Sato A, Hagino Y, Nishito Y, Kobayashi T, Hino O, Mizuguchi M, Ikeda K. Tsc2 mutation rather than Tsc1 mutation dominantly causes a social deficit in a mouse model of tuberous sclerosis complex. Hum Genomics 2023; 17:4. [PMID: 36732866 PMCID: PMC9893559 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-023-00450-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder that is associated with neurological symptoms, including autism spectrum disorder. Tuberous sclerosis complex is caused by pathogenic germline mutations of either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene, but somatic mutations were identified in both genes, and the combined effects of TSC1 and TSC2 mutations have been unknown. METHODS The present study investigated social behaviors by the social interaction test and three-chambered sociability tests, effects of rapamycin treatment, and gene expression profiles with a gene expression microarray in Tsc1 and Tsc2 double heterozygous mutant (TscD+/-) mice. RESULTS TscD+/- mice exhibited impairments in social behaviors, and the severity of impairments was similar to Tsc2+/- mice rather than Tsc1+/- mice. Impairments in social behaviors were rescued by rapamycin treatment in all mutant mice. Gene expression profiles in the brain were greatly altered in TscD+/- mice more than in Tsc1+/- and Tsc2+/- mice. The gene expression changes compared with wild type (WT) mice were similar between TscD+/- and Tsc2+/- mice, and the overlapping genes whose expression was altered in mutant mice compared with WT mice were enriched in the neoplasm- and inflammation-related canonical pathways. The "signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, interferon regulatory factor 1, interferon regulatory factor 4, interleukin-2R α chain, and interferon-γ" signaling pathway, which is initiated from signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 and PDZ and LIM domain protein 2, was associated with impairments in social behaviors in all mutant mice. LIMITATIONS It is unclear whether the signaling pathway also plays a critical role in autism spectrum disorders not caused by Tsc1 and Tsc2 mutations. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that TSC1 and TSC2 double mutations cause autistic behaviors similarly to TSC2 mutations, although significant changes in gene expression were attributable to the double mutations. These findings contribute to the knowledge of genotype-phenotype correlations in TSC and suggest that mutations in both the TSC1 and TSC2 genes act in concert to cause neurological symptoms, including autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirofumi Kashii
- grid.272456.00000 0000 9343 3630Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo, 156-8506 Japan ,grid.417106.5Department of Neuropediatrics, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, 2-6-1 Musashidai, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-0042 Japan
| | - Shinya Kasai
- grid.272456.00000 0000 9343 3630Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo, 156-8506 Japan
| | - Atsushi Sato
- grid.272456.00000 0000 9343 3630Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo, 156-8506 Japan ,grid.412708.80000 0004 1764 7572Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Yoko Hagino
- grid.272456.00000 0000 9343 3630Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo, 156-8506 Japan
| | - Yasumasa Nishito
- grid.272456.00000 0000 9343 3630Center for Basic Technology Research, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo, 156-8506 Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Kobayashi
- grid.258269.20000 0004 1762 2738Department of Pathology and Oncology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8421 Japan
| | - Okio Hino
- grid.258269.20000 0004 1762 2738Department of Pathology and Oncology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8421 Japan
| | - Masashi Mizuguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, National Rehabilitation Center for Children with Disabilities, 1-1-10 Komone, Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo, 173-0037 Japan
| | - Kazutaka Ikeda
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan.
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4
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Young children with autism show atypical prefrontal cortical responses to humanoid robots: An fNIRS study. Int J Psychophysiol 2022; 181:23-32. [PMID: 36037937 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2022.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous behavioral studies have found that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show greater interest in humanoid robots than in humans. However, the neural mechanism underlying this is not clear. This study compared brain activation patterns between children with ASD and neurotypical children while they watched videos with robots and humans. METHOD We recruited 45 children with ASD and 53 neurotypical children aged 4-6 years and recorded their neural activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) using a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) device when the two groups interacted with a robot or a human in a video. RESULTS First, neural activity in the right DLPFC in children with ASD was significantly lower in the robot condition than in the human condition. Neural activity in the right DLPFC in children with ASD was also significantly lower than that of neurotypical children in the robot condition. Second, the neural activity in the left DLPFC between the human and robot conditions was negatively correlated in children with ASD, while it was positively correlated in neurotypical children. Moreover, neural activity in the left DLPFC in children with ASD was significantly correlated with the ADOS scores in both conditions. CONCLUSIONS While neurotypical children showed comparable neural activity to humanoid robots and human beings, the children with ASD showed significantly different neural activity under those two conditions. Children with ASD may need more selective attention resources for human interaction than for robot interaction. It is also much more difficult for children with ASD to neglect the attraction of robots. Neural activity of the left DLPFC of children with ASD is correlated with their symptoms, which maybe a possible indicator for early diagnosis. Neural activity of the right DLPFC guided their atypical reactions and engagements with robots. Our study contributes to the current understanding of the neural mechanisms responsible for the different behavioral reactions in children with ASD toward robots and humans.
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5
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Li M, Wang Y, Tachibana M, Rahman S, Kagitani-Shimono K. Atypical structural connectivity of language networks in autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis of diffusion tensor imaging studies. Autism Res 2022; 15:1585-1602. [PMID: 35962721 PMCID: PMC9546367 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often show pervasive and complex language impairments that are closely associated with aberrant structural connectivity of language networks. However, the characteristics of white matter connectivity in ASD have remained inconclusive in previous diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies. The current meta‐analysis aimed to comprehensively elucidate the abnormality in language‐related white matter connectivity in individuals with ASD. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline databases to identify relevant studies. The standardized mean difference was calculated to measure the pooled difference in DTI metrics in each tract between the ASD and typically developing (TD) groups. The moderating effects of age, sex, language ability, and symptom severity were investigated using subgroup and meta‐regression analysis. Thirty‐three DTI studies involving 831 individuals with ASD and 836 TD controls were included in the meta‐analysis. ASD subjects showed significantly lower fractional anisotropy or higher mean diffusivity across language‐associated tracts than TD controls. These abnormalities tended to be more prominent in the left language networks than in the right. In addition, children with ASD exhibit more pronounced and pervasive disturbances in white matter connectivity than adults. These results support the under‐connectivity hypothesis and demonstrate the widespread abnormal microstructure of language‐related tracts in patients with ASD. Otherwise, white matter abnormalities in the autistic brain could vary depending on the developmental stage and hemisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Li
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yide Wang
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaya Tachibana
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shafiur Rahman
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan.,Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kuriko Kagitani-Shimono
- Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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6
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Burnor E, Cserbik D, Cotter DL, Palmer CE, Ahmadi H, Eckel SP, Berhane K, McConnell R, Chen JC, Schwartz J, Jackson R, Herting MM. Association of Outdoor Ambient Fine Particulate Matter With Intracellular White Matter Microstructural Properties Among Children. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2138300. [PMID: 34882178 PMCID: PMC8662373 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.38300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Importance Outdoor particulate matter 2.5 μm or less in diameter (PM2.5) is a ubiquitous environmental neurotoxicant that may affect the developing brain. Little is known about associations between PM2.5 and white matter connectivity. Objectives To assess associations between annual residential PM2.5 exposure and white matter microstructure health in a US sample of children 9 to 10 years of age and to examine whether associations are specific to certain white matter pathways or vary across neuroimaging diffusion markers reflective of intracellular and extracellular microstructural processes. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study, the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, was composed of 21 study sites across the US and used baseline data collected from children 9 to 10 years of age from September 1, 2016, to October 15, 2018. Data analysis was performed from September 15, 2020, to June 30, 2021. Exposures Annual mean PM2.5 exposure estimated by ensemble-based models and assigned to the primary residential addresses at baseline. Main Outcomes and Measures Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and tractography were used to delineate white matter tracts. The biophysical modeling technique of restriction spectrum imaging (RSI) was implemented to examine total hindered diffusion and restricted isotropic and anisotropic intracellular diffusion in each tract. Hierarchical mixed-effects models with natural splines were used to analyze the associations between PM2.5 exposure and DWI. Results In a study population of 7602 children (mean [SD] age, 119.1 [7.42] months; 3955 [52.0%] female; 160 [ 21.%] Asian, 1025 [13.5%] Black, 1616 [21.3%] Hispanic, 4025 [52.9%] White, and 774 [10.2%] other [identified by parents as American Indian/Native American or Alaska Native; Native Hawaiian, Guamanian, Samoan, other Pacific Islander; Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, or other Asian; or other race]), associations were seen between annual ambient PM2.5 and hemispheric differences in white matter microstructure. Hemisphere-stratified models revealed significant associations between PM2.5 exposure and restricted isotropic intracellular diffusion in the left cingulum, in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus, and bilaterally in the fornix and uncinate fasciculus. In tracts with strong positive associations, a PM2.5 increase from 8 to 12 μg/m3 was associated with increases of 2.16% (95% CI, 0.49%-3.84%) in the left cingulum, 1.95% (95% CI, 0.43%-3.47%) in the left uncinate, and 1.68% (95% CI, 0.01%-3.34%) in the right uncinate. Widespread negative associations were observed between PM2.5 and mean diffusivity. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that annual mean PM2.5 exposure during childhood is associated with increased restricted isotropic diffusion and decreased mean diffusivity of specific white matter tracts, potentially reflecting differences in the composition of white matter microarchitecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Burnor
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Dora Cserbik
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Devyn L. Cotter
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Clare E. Palmer
- Center for Human Development, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla
| | - Hedyeh Ahmadi
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Sandrah P. Eckel
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Kiros Berhane
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York
| | - Rob McConnell
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Jiu-Chiuan Chen
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles
- Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Raymond Jackson
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Megan M. Herting
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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7
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Paradoxical Enhancement of Spatial Learning Induced by Right Hippocampal Lesion in Rats. Symmetry (Basel) 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/sym13112138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The left–right hemispheric differences in some brain functions are well known in humans. Among them, savant syndrome has unique features, such as exceptional abilities in vision, memory, computation, and music, despite brain abnormalities. In cases of acquired savant and transient savant, brain damage or inhibition is often seen in the left hemisphere, suggesting a link between left hemispheric dysfunction and these talents. On the other hand, some functional left–right differences have been reported in rodent brains, and therefore, unilateral damage in rodents may also result in savant-like enhancements. In the present study, we examined the effects of hippocampal damage on spatial learning in rats with left, right, or bilateral hippocampal lesion. The results showed that learning performance was impaired in the bilateral lesion group, and there was no significant difference in the left lesion group, while performance was enhanced in the right lesion group. These results suggest that damage to the right hippocampus in rats may lead to savant-like enhancement in learning and memory. The construction of the savant model through these results will contribute to the neuroscientific elucidation of the paradoxical phenomenon observed in savants, that some abilities are enhanced despite their brain dysfunction.
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8
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Scherrer B, Prohl AK, Taquet M, Kapur K, Peters JM, Tomas-Fernandez X, Davis PE, M Bebin E, Krueger DA, Northrup H, Y Wu J, Sahin M, Warfield SK. The Connectivity Fingerprint of the Fusiform Gyrus Captures the Risk of Developing Autism in Infants with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. Cereb Cortex 2021; 30:2199-2214. [PMID: 31812987 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by benign tumors throughout the body; it is generally diagnosed early in life and has a high prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), making it uniquely valuable in studying the early development of autism, before neuropsychiatric symptoms become apparent. One well-documented deficit in ASD is an impairment in face processing. In this work, we assessed whether anatomical connectivity patterns of the fusiform gyrus, a central structure in face processing, capture the risk of developing autism early in life. We longitudinally imaged TSC patients at 1, 2, and 3 years of age with diffusion compartment imaging. We evaluated whether the anatomical connectivity fingerprint of the fusiform gyrus was associated with the risk of developing autism measured by the Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI). Our findings suggest that the fusiform gyrus connectivity captures the risk of developing autism as early as 1 year of age and provides evidence that abnormal fusiform gyrus connectivity increases with age. Moreover, the identified connections that best capture the risk of developing autism involved the fusiform gyrus and limbic and paralimbic regions that were consistent with the ASD phenotype, involving an increased number of left-lateralized structures with increasing age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Scherrer
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115 USA
| | - Anna K Prohl
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115 USA
| | - Maxime Taquet
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115 USA
| | - Kush Kapur
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115 USA
| | - Jurriaan M Peters
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115 USA
| | - Xavier Tomas-Fernandez
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115 USA
| | - Peter E Davis
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115 USA
| | - Elizabeth M Bebin
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233 USA
| | - Darcy A Krueger
- Department of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229 USA
| | - Hope Northrup
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030 USA
| | - Joyce Y Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095 USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115 USA
| | - Simon K Warfield
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115 USA
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9
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Deemyad T, Puig S, Papale AE, Qi H, LaRocca GM, Aravind D, LaNoce E, Urban NN. Lateralized Decrease of Parvalbumin+ Cells in the Somatosensory Cortex of ASD Models Is Correlated with Unilateral Tactile Hypersensitivity. Cereb Cortex 2021; 32:554-568. [PMID: 34347040 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory control of excitatory networks contributes to cortical functions. Increasing evidence indicates that parvalbumin (PV+)-expressing basket cells (BCs) are a major player in maintaining the balance between excitation (E) and inhibition (I). Disruption of E/I balance in cortical networks is believed to be a hallmark of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here, we report a lateralized decrease in the number of PV+ BCs in L2/3 of the somatosensory cortex in the dominant hemisphere of Shank3-/- and Cntnap2-/- mouse models of ASD. The dominant hemisphere was identified during a reaching task to establish each animal's dominant forepaw. Double labeling with anti-PV antibody and a biotinylated lectin (Vicia villosa lectin [VVA]) showed that the number of BCs was not different but rather, some BCs did not express PV (PV-), resulting in an elevated number of PV- VVA+ BCs. Finally, we showed that dominant hindpaws had higher mechanical sensitivity when compared with the other hindpaws. This mechanical hypersensitivity in the dominant paw strongly correlated with the decrease in the number of PV+ interneurons and reduced PV expression in the corresponding cortex. Together, these results suggest that the hypersensitivity in ASD patients could be due to decreased inhibitory inputs to the dominant somatosensory cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Deemyad
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Stephanie Puig
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Andrew E Papale
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Hang Qi
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Gregory M LaRocca
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Deepthi Aravind
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Emma LaNoce
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Nathaniel N Urban
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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10
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Chan MMY, Han YMY. Differential mirror neuron system (MNS) activation during action observation with and without social-emotional components in autism: a meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies. Mol Autism 2020; 11:72. [PMID: 32993782 PMCID: PMC7523366 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00374-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Impaired imitation has been found to be an important factor contributing to social communication deficits in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It has been hypothesized that the neural correlate of imitation, the mirror neuron system (MNS), is dysfunctional in ASD, resulting in imitation impairment as one of the key behavioral manifestations in ASD. Previous MNS studies produced inconsistent results, leaving the debate of whether “broken” mirror neurons in ASD are unresolved. Methods This meta-analysis aimed to explore the differences in MNS activation patterns between typically developing (TD) and ASD individuals when they observe biological motions with or without social-emotional components. Effect size signed differential mapping (ES-SDM) was adopted to synthesize the available fMRI data. Results ES-SDM analysis revealed hyperactivation in the right inferior frontal gyrus and left supplementary motor area in ASD during observation of biological motions. Subgroup analysis of experiments involving the observation of stimuli with or without emotional component revealed hyperactivation in the left inferior parietal lobule and left supplementary motor during action observation without emotional components, whereas hyperactivation of the right inferior frontal gyrus was found during action observation with emotional components in ASD. Subgroup analyses of age showed hyperactivation of the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus in ASD adolescents, while hyperactivation in the right inferior frontal gyrus was noted in ASD adults. Meta-regression within ASD individuals indicated that the right cerebellum crus I activation increased with age, while the left inferior temporal gyrus activation decreased with age. Limitations This meta-analysis is limited in its generalization of the findings to individuals with ASD by the restricted age range, heterogeneous study sample, and the large within-group variation in MNS activation patterns during object observation. Furthermore, we only included action observation studies which might limit the generalization of our results to the imitation deficits in ASD. In addition, the relatively small sample size for individual studies might also potentially overestimate the effect sizes. Conclusion The MNS is impaired in ASD. The abnormal activation patterns were found to be modulated by the nature of stimuli and age, which might explain the contradictory results from earlier studies on the “broken mirror neuron” debate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody M Y Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Yvonne M Y Han
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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11
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Lidstone DE, Miah FZ, Poston B, Beasley JF, Mostofsky SH, Dufek JS. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Show Impairments During Dynamic Versus Static Grip-force Tracking. Autism Res 2020; 13:2177-2189. [PMID: 32830457 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Impairments in visuomotor integration (VMI) may contribute to anomalous development of motor, as well as social-communicative, skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, it is relatively unknown whether VMI impairments are specific to children with ASD versus children with other neurodevelopmental disorders. As such, this study addressed the hypothesis that children with ASD, but not those in other clinical control groups, would show greater deficits in high-VMI dynamic grip-force tracking versus low-VMI static presentation. Seventy-nine children, aged 7-17 years, participated: 22 children with ASD, 17 children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), 18 children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and 22 typically developing (TD) children. Two grip-force tracking conditions were examined: (1) a low-VMI condition (static visual target) and (2) a high-VMI condition (dynamic visual target). Low-frequency force oscillations <0.5 Hz during the visuomotor task were also examined. Two-way ANCOVAs were used to examine group x VMI and group x frequency effects (α = 0.05). Children with ASD showed a difficulty, above that seen in the ADHD/FASD groups, tracking dynamic, but not static, visual stimuli as compared to TD children. Low-frequency force oscillations <0.25 Hz were also significantly greater in the ASD versus the TD group. This study is the first to report VMI deficits during dynamic versus static grip-force tracking and increased proportion of force oscillations <0.25 Hz during visuomotor tracking in the ASD versus TD group. Dynamic VMI impairments may be a core psychophysiologic feature that could contribute to impaired development of motor and social-communicative skills in ASD. LAY SUMMARY: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show difficulties using dynamic visual stimuli to guide their own movements compared to their typically developing (TD) peers. It is unknown whether children without a diagnosis of ASD, but with other neurological disorders, show similar difficulties processing dynamic visual stimuli. In this study, we showed that children with ASD show a difficulty using dynamic, but not static, visual stimuli to guide movement that may explain atypical development of motor and social skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Lidstone
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Faria Z Miah
- Univerisity of Nevada, Las Vegas Medicine Ackerman Autism Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Brach Poston
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Julie F Beasley
- Univerisity of Nevada, Las Vegas Medicine Ackerman Autism Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Stewart H Mostofsky
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Janet S Dufek
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
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12
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Yildiz GY, Vilsten JS, Millard AS, Chouinard PA. Grey-Matter Thickness of the Left But Not the Right Primary Visual Area Correlates with Autism Traits in Typically Developing Adults. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 51:405-417. [PMID: 32472248 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04553-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We examined whether functional and structural variability in the primary visual area (V1) correlated with autism traits. Twenty-nine participants (16 males; MAge = 26.4 years, SDAge = 4.0 years) completed the autism-spectrum quotient (AQ) questionnaire prior to a magnetic resonance imaging session. The total AQ scores was used to assess the degree of self-reported autism traits. The average functional activation in V1 to visual stimulation and its average grey-matter thickness were calculated. There were no correlations between functional activation in V1 and autism traits. Conversely, grey-matter thickness of the left but not the right V1 correlated with autism traits. We conclude that structural changes in the left V1 could be a marker for the presence of autism traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Y Yildiz
- Department of Psychology and Counselling, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Julian S Vilsten
- Department of Psychology and Counselling, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Amy Siobhan Millard
- Department of Psychology and Counselling, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Philippe A Chouinard
- Department of Psychology and Counselling, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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13
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Malaia EA, Ahn S, Rubchinsky LL. Dysregulation of temporal dynamics of synchronous neural activity in adolescents on autism spectrum. Autism Res 2019; 13:24-31. [PMID: 31702116 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is increasingly understood to be based on atypical signal transfer among multiple interconnected networks in the brain. Relative temporal patterns of neural activity have been shown to underlie both the altered neurophysiology and the altered behaviors in a variety of neurogenic disorders. We assessed brain network dynamics variability in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) using measures of synchronization (phase-locking) strength, and timing of synchronization and desynchronization of neural activity (desynchronization ratio) across frequency bands of resting-state electroencephalography (EEG). Our analysis indicated that frontoparietal synchronization is higher in ASD but with more short periods of desynchronization. It also indicates that the relationship between the properties of neural synchronization and behavior is different in ASD and typically developing populations. Recent theoretical studies suggest that neural networks with a high desynchronization ratio have increased sensitivity to inputs. Our results point to the potential significance of this phenomenon to the autistic brain. This sensitivity may disrupt the production of an appropriate neural and behavioral responses to external stimuli. Cognitive processes dependent on the integration of activity from multiple networks maybe, as a result, particularly vulnerable to disruption. Autism Res 2020, 13: 24-31. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Parts of the brain can work together by synchronizing the activity of the neurons. We recorded the electrical activity of the brain in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and then compared the recording to that of their peers without the diagnosis. We found that in participants with autism, there were a lot of very short time periods of non-synchronized activity between frontal and parietal parts of the brain. Mathematical models show that the brain system with this kind of activity is very sensitive to external events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evie A Malaia
- Department of Communicative Disorders, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
| | - Sungwoo Ahn
- Department of Mathematics, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
| | - Leonid L Rubchinsky
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
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14
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Farooq H, Chen Y, Georgiou TT, Tannenbaum A, Lenglet C. Network curvature as a hallmark of brain structural connectivity. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4937. [PMID: 31666510 PMCID: PMC6821808 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12915-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Although brain functionality is often remarkably robust to lesions and other insults, it may be fragile when these take place in specific locations. Previous attempts to quantify robustness and fragility sought to understand how the functional connectivity of brain networks is affected by structural changes, using either model-based predictions or empirical studies of the effects of lesions. We advance a geometric viewpoint relying on a notion of network curvature, the so-called Ollivier-Ricci curvature. This approach has been proposed to assess financial market robustness and to differentiate biological networks of cancer cells from healthy ones. Here, we apply curvature-based measures to brain structural networks to identify robust and fragile brain regions in healthy subjects. We show that curvature can also be used to track changes in brain connectivity related to age and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and we obtain results that are in agreement with previous MRI studies. The brain can often continue to function despite lesions in many areas, but damage to particular locations may have serious effects. Here, the authors use the concept of Ollivier-Ricci curvature to investigate the robustness of brain networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Farooq
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Yongxin Chen
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tryphon T Georgiou
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Allen Tannenbaum
- Departments of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics & Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Christophe Lenglet
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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15
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Chen J, Liang C, Wei Z, Cui Z, Kong X, Dong C, Lai Y, Peng Z, Wan G. Atypical longitudinal development of speech‐evoked auditory brainstem response in preschool children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism Res 2019; 12:1022-1031. [DOI: 10.1002/aur.2110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 03/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jierong Chen
- Department of Child Psychiatry and Rehabilitation, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare HospitalSouthern Medical University Shenzhen China
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of PsychologySouth China Normal University Guangzhou China
| | - Chun Liang
- Department of Child Psychiatry and Rehabilitation, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare HospitalSouthern Medical University Shenzhen China
| | - Zhen Wei
- Department of Child Psychiatry and Rehabilitation, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare HospitalSouthern Medical University Shenzhen China
| | - Zitian Cui
- Department of Child Psychiatry and Rehabilitation, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare HospitalSouthern Medical University Shenzhen China
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of PsychologySouth China Normal University Guangzhou China
| | - Xuejun Kong
- Martinos Center, Massachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical School Charlestown Massachusetts
| | - Cun‐jian Dong
- Martinos Center, Massachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical School Charlestown Massachusetts
| | - Yuan Lai
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of PsychologySouth China Normal University Guangzhou China
| | - Ziwen Peng
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of PsychologySouth China Normal University Guangzhou China
- Department of Child PsychiatryShenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen University School of Medicine Shenzhen China
| | - Guobin Wan
- Department of Child Psychiatry and Rehabilitation, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare HospitalSouthern Medical University Shenzhen China
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16
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Hatfield TR, Brown RF, Giummarra MJ, Lenggenhager B. Autism spectrum disorder and interoception: Abnormalities in global integration? AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2017; 23:212-222. [DOI: 10.1177/1362361317738392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Research over the past three decades has seen a revived interest in the way the human body—and the way in which it is perceived—interacts with aspects of our experience. Consequently, interoception (i.e. the perception of physiological feedback from the body) has recently been shown to be associated with a wide range of cognitive, emotional, and affective functions, making it broadly relevant to the study of autism spectrum disorder. Although limited qualitative accounts and empirical studies suggest that individuals with autism spectrum disorder encounter abnormalities when perceiving and integrating physiological feedback from their bodies, other studies have suggested that people with/without autism spectrum disorder do not differ in interoceptive ability after accounting for alexithymia. In this article, we discuss the newly recognized importance of interoception in autism spectrum disorder with a focus on how deficits in the perception of bodily feedback might relate to the core features and co-occuring psychopathology of autism spectrum disorder. Finally, a new integrated theory is advanced which posits that people with autism spectrum disorder may experience a reduced capacity to integrate interoceptive information that may result in a narrow attentional bodily focus and reduced motivational and behavioral drives.
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17
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Cognitive Effects of Air Pollution Exposures and Potential Mechanistic Underpinnings. Curr Environ Health Rep 2017; 4:180-191. [PMID: 28435996 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-017-0134-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review sought to address the potential for air pollutants to impair cognition and mechanisms by which that might occur. RECENT FINDINGS Air pollution has been associated with deficits in cognitive functions across a wide range of epidemiological studies, both with developmental and adult exposures. Studies in animal models are significantly more limited in number, with somewhat inconsistent findings to date for measures of learning, but show more consistent impairments for short-term memory. Potential contributory mechanisms include oxidative stress/inflammation, altered levels of dopamine and/or glutamate, and changes in synaptic plasticity/structure. Epidemiological studies are consistent with adverse effects of air pollutants on cognition, but additional studies and better phenotypic characterization are needed for animal models, including more precise delineation of specific components of cognition that are affected, as well as definitions of critical exposure periods for such effects and the components of air pollution responsible. This would permit development of more circumscribed hypotheses as to potential behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms.
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18
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Candidate Biomarkers in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of MRI Studies. Neurosci Bull 2017; 33:219-237. [PMID: 28283808 PMCID: PMC5360855 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-017-0118-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Searching for effective biomarkers is one of the most challenging tasks in the research field of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a non-invasive and powerful tool for investigating changes in the structure, function, maturation, connectivity, and metabolism of the brain of children with ASD. Here, we review the more recent MRI studies in young children with ASD, aiming to provide candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis of childhood ASD. The review covers structural imaging methods, diffusion tensor imaging, resting-state functional MRI, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Future advances in neuroimaging techniques, as well as cross-disciplinary studies and large-scale collaborations will be needed for an integrated approach linking neuroimaging, genetics, and phenotypic data to allow the discovery of new, effective biomarkers.
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19
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Reduced Hemispheric Asymmetry of White Matter Microstructure in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2016; 55:1073-1080. [PMID: 27871642 PMCID: PMC5125511 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2016.09.491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Revised: 09/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many past studies have suggested atypical functional and anatomical hemispheric asymmetries in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, almost all of these have examined only language-related asymmetries. Here, we conduct a comprehensive investigation of microstructural asymmetries across a large number of fiber tracts in ASD. METHOD We used diffusion tensor imaging for a comprehensive investigation of anatomical white matter asymmetries across the entire white matter skeleton, using tract-based spatial statistics in 41 children and adolescents with ASD and a matched group of 44 typically developing (TD) participants. RESULTS We found significant asymmetries in the TD group, being rightward for fractional anisotropy and leftward for mean diffusivity (with concordant asymmetries for radial and axial diffusivity). These asymmetries were significantly reduced in the group with ASD: in whole brain analysis for fractional anisotropy, and in a region where several major association and projection tracts travel in close proximity within occipital white matter for mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity. No correlations between global white matter asymmetry and age or socio-communicative abilities were detected. CONCLUSION Our findings in TD children and adolescents can be interpreted as reflecting different processing modes (more integrative in the right and more specialized in the left hemisphere). These asymmetries and the "division of labor" between hemispheres implied by them appear to be diminished in autism spectrum disorder.
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20
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Ismail MMT, Keynton RS, Mostapha MMMO, ElTanboly AH, Casanova MF, Gimel'farb GL, El-Baz A. Studying Autism Spectrum Disorder with Structural and Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Survey. Front Hum Neurosci 2016; 10:211. [PMID: 27242476 PMCID: PMC4862981 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modalities have emerged as powerful means that facilitate non-invasive clinical diagnostics of various diseases and abnormalities since their inception in the 1980s. Multiple MRI modalities, such as different types of the sMRI and DTI, have been employed to investigate facets of ASD in order to better understand this complex syndrome. This paper reviews recent applications of structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), to study autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Main reported findings are sometimes contradictory due to different age ranges, hardware protocols, population types, numbers of participants, and image analysis parameters. The primary anatomical structures, such as amygdalae, cerebrum, and cerebellum, associated with clinical-pathological correlates of ASD are highlighted through successive life stages, from infancy to adulthood. This survey demonstrates the absence of consistent pathology in the brains of autistic children and lack of research investigations in patients under 2 years of age in the literature. The known publications also emphasize advances in data acquisition and analysis, as well as significance of multimodal approaches that combine resting-state, task-evoked, and sMRI measures. Initial results obtained with the sMRI and DTI show good promise toward the early and non-invasive ASD diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa M. T. Ismail
- BioImaging Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY, USA
| | - Robert S. Keynton
- BioImaging Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY, USA
| | | | - Ahmed H. ElTanboly
- BioImaging Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY, USA
| | - Manuel F. Casanova
- Departments of Pediatrics and Biomedical Sciences, University of South CarolinaColumbia, SC, USA
| | | | - Ayman El-Baz
- BioImaging Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY, USA
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21
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Miron O, Ari-Even Roth D, Gabis LV, Henkin Y, Shefer S, Dinstein I, Geva R. Prolonged auditory brainstem responses in infants with autism. Autism Res 2015; 9:689-95. [PMID: 26477791 PMCID: PMC5057307 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have attempted to identify early physiological abnormalities in infants and toddlers who later develop autism spectrum disorder (ASD). One potential measure of early neurophysiology is the auditory brainstem response (ABR), which has been reported to exhibit prolonged latencies in children with ASD. We examined whether prolonged ABR latencies appear in infancy, before the onset of ASD symptoms, and irrespective of hearing thresholds. To determine how early in development these differences appear, we retrospectively examined clinical ABR recordings of infants who were later diagnosed with ASD. Of the 118 children in the participant pool, 48 were excluded due to elevated ABR thresholds, genetic aberrations, or old testing age, leaving a sample of 70 children: 30 of which were tested at 0–3 months, and 40 were tested at toddlerhood (1.5–3.5 years). In the infant group, the ABR wave‐V was significantly prolonged in those who later developed ASD as compared with case‐matched controls (n = 30). Classification of infants who later developed ASD and case‐matched controls using this measure enabled accurate identification of ASD infants with 80% specificity and 70% sensitivity. In the group of toddlers with ASD, absolute and interpeak latencies were prolonged compared to clinical norms. Findings indicate that ABR latencies are significantly prolonged in infants who are later diagnosed with ASD irrespective of their hearing thresholds; suggesting that abnormal responses might be detected soon after birth. Further research is needed to determine if ABR might be a valid marker for ASD risk. Autism Res2016, 9: 689–695. © 2015 The Authors Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Autism Research
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Affiliation(s)
- Oren Miron
- Department of Psychology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.,Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, The Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Daphne Ari-Even Roth
- Hearing, Speech and Language Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Department of Communication Disorders, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Lidia V Gabis
- The Weinberg Child Development Center, Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yael Henkin
- Hearing, Speech and Language Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Department of Communication Disorders, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shahar Shefer
- The Weinberg Child Development Center, Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ilan Dinstein
- Department of Psychology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.,Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Ronny Geva
- Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, The Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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22
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Conti E, Calderoni S, Gaglianese A, Pannek K, Mazzotti S, Rose S, Scelfo D, Tosetti M, Muratori F, Cioni G, Guzzetta A. Lateralization of Brain Networks and Clinical Severity in Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A HARDI Diffusion MRI Study. Autism Res 2015; 9:382-92. [PMID: 26280255 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent diffusion tensor imaging studies in adolescents and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have reported a loss or an inversion of the typical left-right lateralization in fronto-temporal regions crucial for sociocommunicative skills. No studies explored atypical lateralization in toddlers and its correlation with clinical severity of ASD. We recruited a cohort of 20 subjects aged 36 months or younger receiving a first clinical diagnosis of ASD (15 males; age range 20-36 months). Patients underwent diffusion MRI (High-Angular-Resolution Diffusion Imaging protocol). Data from cortical parcellation were combined with tractography to obtain a connection matrix and diffusion indexes (DI ) including mean fractional anisotropy (DFA ), number of tracts (DNUM ), and total tract length (DTTL ). A laterality index was generated for each measure, and then correlated with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G) total score. Laterality indexes of DFA were significantly correlated with ADOS-G total scores only in two intrafrontal connected areas (correlation was positive in one case and negative in the other). Laterality indexes of DTTL and DNUM showed significant negative correlations (P < 0.05) in six connected areas, mainly fronto-temporal. This study provides first evidence of a significant correlation between brain lateralization of diffusion indexes and clinical severity in toddlers with a first diagnosis of ASD. Significant correlations mainly involved regions within the fronto-temporal circuits, known to be crucial for sociocommunicative skills. It is of interest that all correlations but one were negative, suggesting an inversion of the typical left-right asymmetry in subjects with most severe clinical impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Conti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Gaglianese
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Kerstin Pannek
- The Australian eHealth Research Centre, CSIRO, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sara Mazzotti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stephen Rose
- The Australian eHealth Research Centre, CSIRO, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Danilo Scelfo
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michela Tosetti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Guzzetta
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has a strong genetic basis, and is heterogeneous in its etiopathogenesis and clinical presentation. Neuroimaging studies, in concert with neuropathological and clinical research, have been instrumental in delineating trajectories of development in children with ASD. Structural neuroimaging has revealed ASD to be a disorder with general and regional brain enlargement, especially in the frontotemporal cortices, while functional neuroimaging studies have highlighted diminished connectivity, especially between frontal-posterior regions. The diverse and specific neuroimaging findings may represent potential neuroendophenotypes, and may offer opportunities to further understand the etiopathogenesis of ASD, predict treatment response, and lead to the development of new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajneesh Mahajan
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research (CNIR), Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Stewart H. Mostofsky
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research (CNIR), Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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