1
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Sano M, Hirosawa T, Yoshimura Y, Hasegawa C, An KM, Tanaka S, Yaoi K, Naitou N, Kikuchi M. Neural responses to syllable-induced P1m and social impairment in children with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing Peers. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298020. [PMID: 38457397 PMCID: PMC10923473 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
In previous magnetoencephalography (MEG) studies, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been shown to respond differently to speech stimuli than typically developing (TD) children. Quantitative evaluation of this difference in responsiveness may support early diagnosis and intervention for ASD. The objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between syllable-induced P1m and social impairment in children with ASD and TD children. We analyzed 49 children with ASD aged 40-92 months and age-matched 26 TD children. We evaluated their social impairment by means of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and their intelligence ability using the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC). Multiple regression analysis with SRS score as the dependent variable and syllable-induced P1m latency or intensity and intelligence ability as explanatory variables revealed that SRS score was associated with syllable-induced P1m latency in the left hemisphere only in the TD group and not in the ASD group. A second finding was that increased leftward-lateralization of intensity was correlated with higher SRS scores only in the ASD group. These results provide valuable insights but also highlight the intricate nature of neural mechanisms and their relationship with autistic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masuhiko Sano
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Tetsu Hirosawa
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yuko Yoshimura
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
- Faculty of Education, Institute of Human and Social Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Chiaki Hasegawa
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Kyung-Min An
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sanae Tanaka
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Ken Yaoi
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Nobushige Naitou
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Kikuchi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
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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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Scaffei E, Mazziotti R, Conti E, Costanzo V, Calderoni S, Stoccoro A, Carmassi C, Tancredi R, Baroncelli L, Battini R. A Potential Biomarker of Brain Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot fNIRS Study in Female Preschoolers. Brain Sci 2023; 13:951. [PMID: 37371429 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13060951] [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: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a neurodevelopmental condition whose detection still remains challenging in young females due to the heterogeneity of the behavioral phenotype and the capacity of camouflage. The availability of quantitative biomarkers to assess brain function may support in the assessment of ASD. Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive and flexible tool that quantifies cortical hemodynamic responses (HDR) that can be easily employed to describe brain activity. Since the study of the visual phenotype is a paradigmatic model to evaluate cerebral processing in many neurodevelopmental conditions, we hypothesized that visually-evoked HDR (vHDR) might represent a potential biomarker in ASD females. We performed a case-control study comparing vHDR in a cohort of high-functioning preschooler females with ASD (fASD) and sex/age matched peers. We demonstrated the feasibility of visual fNIRS measurements in fASD, and the possibility to discriminate between fASD and typical subjects using different signal features, such as the amplitude and lateralization of vHDR. Moreover, the level of response lateralization was correlated to the severity of autistic traits. These results corroborate the cruciality of sensory symptoms in ASD, paving the way for the validation of the fNIRS analytical tool for diagnosis and treatment outcome monitoring in the ASD population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Scaffei
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaele Mazziotti
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Eugenia Conti
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valeria Costanzo
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Laura Baroncelli
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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4
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Feng Y, Kang X, Wang H, Cong J, Zhuang W, Xue K, Li F, Yao D, Xu P, Zhang T. The relationships between dynamic resting-state networks and social behavior in autism spectrum disorder revealed by fuzzy entropy-based temporal variability analysis of large-scale network. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:764-776. [PMID: 35297491 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a core deficit in social processes. However, it is still unclear whether the core clinical symptoms of the disorder can be reflected by the temporal variability of resting-state network functional connectivity (FC). In this article, we examined the large-scale network FC temporal variability at the local region, within-network, and between-network levels using the fuzzy entropy technique. Then, we correlated the network FC temporal variability to social-related scores. We found that the social behavior correlated with the FC temporal variability of the precuneus, parietal, occipital, temporal, and precentral. Our results also showed that social behavior was significantly negatively correlated with the temporal variability of FC within the default mode network, between the frontoparietal network and cingulo-opercular task control network, and the dorsal attention network. In contrast, social behavior correlated significantly positively with the temporal variability of FC within the subcortical network. Finally, using temporal variability as a feature, we construct a model to predict the social score of ASD. These findings suggest that the network FC temporal variability has a close relationship with social behavioral inflexibility in ASD and may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting ASD symptom severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Feng
- Mental Health Education Center and School of Science, Xihua University, No. 999, Jinzhou Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu 610039, China
| | - Xiaodong Kang
- The Department of Sichuan 81 Rehabilitation Center, Chengdu University of TCM, No.37, Twelfth Bridge Road,Chengdu 610075, China
| | - Hesong Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Institute of Gastroenterology of Guangdong Province, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jing Cong
- Mental Health Education Center and School of Science, Xihua University, No. 999, Jinzhou Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu 610039, China
| | - Wenwen Zhuang
- Mental Health Education Center and School of Science, Xihua University, No. 999, Jinzhou Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu 610039, China
| | - Kaiqing Xue
- School of Computer and Software Engineering, Xihua University, No. 999, Jinzhou Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu 610039, China
| | - Fali Li
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Dadao, Gaoxin District, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Dezhong Yao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Dadao, Gaoxin District, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Peng Xu
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Dadao, Gaoxin District, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Mental Health Education Center and School of Science, Xihua University, No. 999, Jinzhou Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu 610039, China.,The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Dadao, Gaoxin District, Chengdu 611731, China
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5
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Del Casale A, Ferracuti S, Alcibiade A, Simone S, Modesti MN, Pompili M. Neuroanatomical correlates of autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis of structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2022; 325:111516. [PMID: 35882091 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2022.111516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders correlated to various neuroanatomical modifications. We aimed to identify neuroanatomical changes assessed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through Activation Likelihood Estimate (ALE) meta-analysis. We included 19 peer-reviewed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies that analyzed cortical volume in patients with ASD compared to healthy control subjects (HCs). The between-group analyses comparing subjects with ASD to HCs showed a volumetric reduction of a large cluster in the right brain, including the uncus/amygdala, parahippocampal gyrus, and entorhinal cortex, and putamen. The anomalies are primarily found in the right hemisphere, involved in social cognitive function, particularly impaired in ASD. These results correlate with several clinical aspects of ASD. These volumetric alterations can be considered a major correlate of disease in the context of multifactorial etiology. Further studies on brain lateralization in ASD are needed, considering the clinical phenotype variability of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Del Casale
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies; Faculty of Medicine and Psychology; Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
| | - Stefano Ferracuti
- Department of Human Neuroscience; Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry; Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Sara Simone
- Faculty of Medicine and Psychology; Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS); Faculty of Medicine and Psychology; Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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6
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Liu G, Huo E, Liu H, Jia G, Zhi Y, Dong Q, Niu H. Development and emergence of functional network asymmetry in 3- to 9-month-old infants. Cortex 2022; 154:390-404. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2022.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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7
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Conti E, Scaffei E, Bosetti C, Marchi V, Costanzo V, Dell’Oste V, Mazziotti R, Dell’Osso L, Carmassi C, Muratori F, Baroncelli L, Calderoni S, Battini R. Looking for “fNIRS Signature” in Autism Spectrum: A Systematic Review Starting From Preschoolers. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:785993. [PMID: 35341016 PMCID: PMC8948464 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.785993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) can provide an essential bridge between our current understanding of neural circuit organization and cortical activity in the developing brain. Indeed, fNIRS allows studying brain functions through the measurement of neurovascular coupling that links neural activity to subsequent changes in cerebral blood flow and hemoglobin oxygenation levels. While the literature offers a multitude of fNIRS applications to typical development, only recently this tool has been extended to the study of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). The exponential rise of scientific publications on this topic during the last years reflects the interest to identify a “fNIRS signature” as a biomarker of high translational value to support both early clinical diagnosis and treatment outcome. The purpose of this systematic review is to describe the updating clinical applications of fNIRS in NDDs, with a specific focus on preschool population. Starting from this rationale, a systematic search was conducted for relevant studies in different scientific databases (Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science) resulting in 13 published articles. In these studies, fNIRS was applied in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or infants at high risk of developing ASD. Both functional connectivity in resting-state conditions and task-evoked brain activation using multiple experimental paradigms were used in the selected investigations, suggesting that fNIRS might be considered a promising method for identifying early quantitative biomarkers in the autism field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Conti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Scaffei
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- *Correspondence: Elena Scaffei,
| | - Chiara Bosetti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Viviana Marchi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valeria Costanzo
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valerio Dell’Oste
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaele Mazziotti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Liliana Dell’Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Baroncelli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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8
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Lucibello S, Bertè G, Verdolotti T, Lucignani M, Napolitano A, D’Abronzo R, Cicala MG, Pede E, Chieffo D, Mariotti P, Colosimo C, Mercuri E, Battini R. Cortical Thickness and Clinical Findings in Prescholar Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:776860. [PMID: 35197818 PMCID: PMC8858962 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.776860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes a wide variability of clinical presentation, and this clinical heterogeneity seems to reflect a still unclear multifactorial etiopathogenesis, encompassing different genetic risk factors and susceptibility to environmental factors. Several studies and many theories recognize as mechanisms of autism a disruption of brain development and maturation time course, suggesting the existence of common neurobiological substrates, such as defective synaptic structure and aberrant brain connectivity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in both assessment of region-specific structural changes and quantification of specific alterations in gray or white matter, which could lead to the identification of an MRI biomarker. In this study, we performed measurement of cortical thickness in a selected well-known group of preschool ASD subjects with the aim of finding correlation between cortical metrics and clinical scores to understand the underlying mechanism of symptoms and to support early clinical diagnosis. Our results confirm that recent brain MRI techniques combined with clinical data can provide some useful information in defining the cerebral regions involved in ASD although large sample studies with homogeneous analytical and multisite approaches are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Lucibello
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Bertè
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Istituto di Radiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Verdolotti
- UOC Radiologia e Neuroradiologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Lucignani
- Medical Physics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Napolitano
- Medical Physics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa D’Abronzo
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Istituto di Radiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria G. Cicala
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Pede
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Chieffo
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Mariotti
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cesare Colosimo
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Istituto di Radiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- UOC Radiologia e Neuroradiologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Centro Clinico Nemo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Roberta Battini,
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9
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Han YMY, Chan MC, Chan MMY, Yeung MK, Chan AS. Effects of working memory load on frontal connectivity in children with autism spectrum disorder: a fNIRS study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1522. [PMID: 35087126 PMCID: PMC8795357 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05432-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) perform poorly in working memory (WM) tasks, with some literature suggesting that their impaired performance is modulated by WM load. While some neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies have reported altered functional connectivity during WM processing in individuals with autism, it remains largely unclear whether such alterations are moderated by WM load. The present study aimed to examine the effect of WM load on functional connectivity within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in ASD using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Twenty-two children with high-functioning ASD aged 8-12 years and 24 age-, intelligent quotient (IQ)-, sex- and handedness-matched typically developing (TD) children performed a number n-back task with three WM loads (0-back, 1-back, and 2-back). Hemodynamic changes in the bilateral lateral and medial PFC during task performance were monitored using a multichannel NIRS device. Children with ASD demonstrated slower reaction times, specifically during the "low load" condition, than TD children. In addition, the ASD and TD groups exhibited differential load-dependent functional connectivity changes in the lateral and medial PFC of the right but not the left hemisphere. These findings indicate that WM impairment in high-functioning ASD is paralleled by load-dependent alterations in right, but not left, intrahemispheric connectivity during WM processing in children with ASD. A disruption of functional neural connections that support different cognitive processes may underlie poor performance in WM tasks in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne M Y Han
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
- University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ming-Chung Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Melody M Y Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Michael K Yeung
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Agnes S Chan
- Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
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10
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Kong X, Postema MC, Guadalupe T, de Kovel C, Boedhoe PSW, Hoogman M, Mathias SR, van Rooij D, Schijven D, Glahn DC, Medland SE, Jahanshad N, Thomopoulos SI, Turner JA, Buitelaar J, van Erp TGM, Franke B, Fisher SE, van den Heuvel OA, Schmaal L, Thompson PM, Francks C. Mapping brain asymmetry in health and disease through the ENIGMA consortium. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 43:167-181. [PMID: 32420672 PMCID: PMC8675409 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Left-right asymmetry of the human brain is one of its cardinal features, and also a complex, multivariate trait. Decades of research have suggested that brain asymmetry may be altered in psychiatric disorders. However, findings have been inconsistent and often based on small sample sizes. There are also open questions surrounding which structures are asymmetrical on average in the healthy population, and how variability in brain asymmetry relates to basic biological variables such as age and sex. Over the last 4 years, the ENIGMA-Laterality Working Group has published six studies of gray matter morphological asymmetry based on total sample sizes from roughly 3,500 to 17,000 individuals, which were between one and two orders of magnitude larger than those published in previous decades. A population-level mapping of average asymmetry was achieved, including an intriguing fronto-occipital gradient of cortical thickness asymmetry in healthy brains. ENIGMA's multi-dataset approach also supported an empirical illustration of reproducibility of hemispheric differences across datasets. Effect sizes were estimated for gray matter asymmetry based on large, international, samples in relation to age, sex, handedness, and brain volume, as well as for three psychiatric disorders: autism spectrum disorder was associated with subtly reduced asymmetry of cortical thickness at regions spread widely over the cortex; pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder was associated with altered subcortical asymmetry; major depressive disorder was not significantly associated with changes of asymmetry. Ongoing studies are examining brain asymmetry in other disorders. Moreover, a groundwork has been laid for possibly identifying shared genetic contributions to brain asymmetry and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang‐Zhen Kong
- Language and Genetics DepartmentMax Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Merel C. Postema
- Language and Genetics DepartmentMax Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Tulio Guadalupe
- Language and Genetics DepartmentMax Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Carolien de Kovel
- Language and Genetics DepartmentMax Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Premika S. W. Boedhoe
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam NeuroscienceAmsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical CenterVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Martine Hoogman
- Department of Human GeneticsRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Samuel R. Mathias
- Department of PsychiatryBoston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Daan van Rooij
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Dick Schijven
- Language and Genetics DepartmentMax Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - David C. Glahn
- Department of PsychiatryBoston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research CenterInstitute of Living, Hartford HospitalHartfordConnecticutUSA
| | - Sarah E. Medland
- Psychiatric GeneticsQIMR Berghofer Medical Research InstituteBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Neda Jahanshad
- Imaging Genetics Center, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging & Informatics InstituteKeck School of Medicine of the University of Southern CaliforniaMarina del ReyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sophia I. Thomopoulos
- Imaging Genetics Center, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging & Informatics InstituteKeck School of Medicine of the University of Southern CaliforniaMarina del ReyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jessica A. Turner
- Tri‐institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS)Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
- Department of Psychology and NeuroscienceGeorgia State UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Jan Buitelaar
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Karakter Child and Adolescent PsychiatryNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Theo G. M. van Erp
- Clinical Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Human BehaviorUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCaliforniaUSA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and MemoryUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Barbara Franke
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Simon E. Fisher
- Language and Genetics DepartmentMax Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviorRadboud UniversityNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Odile A. van den Heuvel
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam NeuroscienceAmsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical CenterVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Lianne Schmaal
- Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental HealthParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Centre for Youth Mental HealthThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Paul M. Thompson
- Tri‐institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS)Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Clyde Francks
- Language and Genetics DepartmentMax Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviorRadboud UniversityNijmegenThe Netherlands
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11
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Deng X, Wang J, Zang Y, Li Y, Fu W, Su Y, Chen X, Du B, Dong Q, Chen C, Li J. Intermittent theta burst stimulation over the parietal cortex has a significant neural effect on working memory. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 43:1076-1086. [PMID: 34730863 PMCID: PMC8764471 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The crucial role of the parietal cortex in working memory (WM) storage has been identified by fMRI studies. However, it remains unknown whether repeated parietal intermittent theta‐burst stimulation (iTBS) can improve WM. In this within‐subject randomized controlled study, under the guidance of fMRI‐identified parietal activation in the left hemisphere, 22 healthy adults received real and sham iTBS sessions (five consecutive days, 600 pulses per day for each session) with an interval of 9 months between the two sessions. Electroencephalography signals of each subject before and after both iTBS sessions were collected during a change detection task. Changes in contralateral delay activity (CDA) and K‐score were then calculated to reflect neural and behavioral WM improvement. Repeated‐measures ANOVA suggested that real iTBS increased CDA more than the sham one (p = .011 for iTBS effect). Further analysis showed that this effect was more significant in the left hemisphere than in the right hemisphere (p = .029 for the hemisphere‐by‐iTBS interaction effect). Pearson correlation analyses showed significant correlations for two conditions between CDA changes in the left hemisphere and K score changes (ps <.05). In terms of the behavioral results, significant K score changes after real iTBS were observed for two conditions, but a repeated‐measures ANOVA showed a nonsignificant main effect of iTBS (p = .826). These results indicate that the current iTBS protocol is a promising way to improve WM capability based on the neural indicator (CDA) but further optimization is needed to produce a behavioral effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinping Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Jue Wang
- Institute of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yufeng Zang
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Psychological Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjin Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanyan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiongying Chen
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders & the Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Anding Hospital, School of Mental Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Boqi Du
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Chuansheng Chen
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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12
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Kim D, Lee JY, Jeong BC, Ahn JH, Kim JI, Lee ES, Kim H, Lee HJ, Han CE. Overconnectivity of the right Heschl's and inferior temporal gyrus correlates with symptom severity in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2021; 14:2314-2329. [PMID: 34529363 PMCID: PMC9292809 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have reported varying findings regarding the association of brain connectivity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with overconnectivity, underconnectivity, or both. Despite the emerging understanding that ASD is a developmental disconnection syndrome, very little is known about structural brain networks in preschool‐aged children with low‐functioning ASD. We aimed to investigate the structural brain connectivity of low‐functioning ASD using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and graph theory to examine alterations in different brain network topologies and identify any correlations with the clinical severity of ASD in preschool‐aged children. Fifty‐two preschool‐aged children (28 with ASD and 24 with typical development) were included in the analysis. Graph‐based network analysis was performed to examine the global and local structural brain networks. Nodal network measures exhibited increased nodal strength in the right Heschl's gyrus, which was positively associated with all autistic clinical symptoms (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and Childhood Autism Rating Scale [CARS]). The nodal strength of the right inferior temporal gyrus showed a moderate correlation with the CARS score. Using network‐based statistics, we identified a subnetwork with increased connections encompassing the right Heschl's gyrus and the right inferior temporal gyrus in preschool‐aged children with ASD. The asymmetric value in the inferior temporal gyrus exhibited right dominance of nodal strength in children with ASD compared to that in typically developing children. Our findings support the theory of aberrant brain growth and overconnectivity as the underlying mechanism of ASD and provides new insights into potential regional biomarkers that can detect low‐functioning ASD in preschool‐aged children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daegyeom Kim
- Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Young Lee
- Clinical Research Institute of Developmental Medicine, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong Chang Jeong
- Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea.,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program for Artificial Intelligence Smart Convergence Technology, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja-Hye Ahn
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Johanna Inhyang Kim
- Clinical Research Institute of Developmental Medicine, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Soo Lee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hyuna Kim
- Department of Child Psychotherapy, Hanyang University Graduate School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ju Lee
- Clinical Research Institute of Developmental Medicine, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol E Han
- Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea.,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program for Artificial Intelligence Smart Convergence Technology, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea
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13
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Paakki J, Rahko JS, Kotila A, Mattila M, Miettunen H, Hurtig TM, Jussila KK, Kuusikko‐Gauffin S, Moilanen IK, Tervonen O, Kiviniemi VJ. Co-activation pattern alterations in autism spectrum disorder-A volume-wise hierarchical clustering fMRI study. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e02174. [PMID: 33998178 PMCID: PMC8213933 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There has been a growing effort to characterize the time-varying functional connectivity of resting state (RS) fMRI brain networks (RSNs). Although voxel-wise connectivity studies have examined different sliding window lengths, nonsequential volume-wise approaches have been less common. METHODS Inspired by earlier co-activation pattern (CAP) studies, we applied hierarchical clustering (HC) to classify the image volumes of the RS-fMRI data on 28 adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their 27 typically developing (TD) controls. We compared the distribution of the ASD and TD groups' volumes in CAPs as well as their voxel-wise means. For simplification purposes, we conducted a group independent component analysis to extract 14 major RSNs. The RSNs' average z-scores enabled us to meaningfully regroup the RSNs and estimate the percentage of voxels within each RSN for which there was a significant group difference. These results were jointly interpreted to find global group-specific patterns. RESULTS We found similar brain state proportions in 58 CAPs (clustering interval from 2 to 30). However, in many CAPs, the voxel-wise means differed significantly within a matrix of 14 RSNs. The rest-activated default mode-positive and default mode-negative brain state properties vary considerably in both groups over time. This division was seen clearly when the volumes were partitioned into two CAPs and then further examined along the HC dendrogram of the diversifying brain CAPs. The ASD group network activations followed a more heterogeneous distribution and some networks maintained higher baselines; throughout the brain deactivation state, the ASD participants had reduced deactivation in 12/14 networks. During default mode-negative CAPs, the ASD group showed simultaneous visual network and either dorsal attention or default mode network overactivation. CONCLUSION Nonsequential volume gathering into CAPs and the comparison of voxel-wise signal changes provide a complementary perspective to connectivity and an alternative to sliding window analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyri‐Johan Paakki
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Biosciences Doctoral ProgrammeUniversity of Oulu Graduate SchoolUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- The Faculty of MedicineResearch Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and TechnologyOulu Functional NeuroImaging GroupUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Diagnostic RadiologyMedical Research CenterOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
| | - Jukka S. Rahko
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Biosciences Doctoral ProgrammeUniversity of Oulu Graduate SchoolUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- PEDEGO Research UnitFaculty of MedicineChild PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Institute of Clinical MedicineClinic of Child PsychiatryUniversity and University Hospital of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Aija Kotila
- Faculty of HumanitiesResearch Unit of LogopedicsUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Marja‐Leena Mattila
- PEDEGO Research UnitFaculty of MedicineChild PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Institute of Clinical MedicineClinic of Child PsychiatryUniversity and University Hospital of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Helena Miettunen
- PEDEGO Research UnitFaculty of MedicineChild PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Institute of Clinical MedicineClinic of Child PsychiatryUniversity and University Hospital of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Tuula M. Hurtig
- PEDEGO Research UnitFaculty of MedicineChild PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Institute of Clinical MedicineClinic of Child PsychiatryUniversity and University Hospital of OuluOuluFinland
- Research Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Katja K. Jussila
- PEDEGO Research UnitFaculty of MedicineChild PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Institute of Clinical MedicineClinic of Child PsychiatryUniversity and University Hospital of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Sanna Kuusikko‐Gauffin
- PEDEGO Research UnitFaculty of MedicineChild PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Institute of Clinical MedicineClinic of Child PsychiatryUniversity and University Hospital of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Irma K. Moilanen
- PEDEGO Research UnitFaculty of MedicineChild PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Institute of Clinical MedicineClinic of Child PsychiatryUniversity and University Hospital of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Osmo Tervonen
- The Faculty of MedicineResearch Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and TechnologyOulu Functional NeuroImaging GroupUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Diagnostic RadiologyMedical Research CenterOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
| | - Vesa J. Kiviniemi
- The Faculty of MedicineResearch Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and TechnologyOulu Functional NeuroImaging GroupUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Diagnostic RadiologyMedical Research CenterOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
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14
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Biagi L, Lenzi S, Cipriano E, Fiori S, Bosco P, Cristofani P, Astrea G, Pini A, Cioni G, Mercuri E, Tosetti M, Battini R. Neural substrates of neuropsychological profiles in dystrophynopathies: A pilot study of diffusion tractography imaging. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250420. [PMID: 33939732 PMCID: PMC8092766 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cognitive difficulties and neuropsychological alterations in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD, BMD) boys are not yet sufficiently explored, although this topic could have a relevant impact, finding novel biomarkers of disease both at genetics and neuroimaging point of view. The current study aims to: 1) analyze the neuropsychological profile of a group of DMD and BMD boys without cognitive impairment with an assessment of their executive functions; 2) explore the structural connectivity in DMD, BMD, and age-matched controls focusing on cortico-subcortical tracts that connect frontal cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum via the thalamus; 3) explore possible correlations between altered structural connectivity and clinical neuropsychological measures. Materials and methods This pilot study included 15 boys (5 DMD subjects, 5 BMD subjects, and 5 age-matched typically developing, TD). They were assessed using a neuropsychological assessment protocol including cognitive and executive functioning assessment and performed a 1.5T MRI brain exam including advance Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) method for tractography. Structural connectivity measurements were extracted along three specific tracts: Cortico-Ponto-Cerebellar Tract (CPCT), Cerebellar-Thalamic Tract (CTT), and Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus (SLF). Cortical-Spinal Tract (CST) was selected for reference, as control tract. Results Regarding intellectual functioning, a major impairment in executive functions compared to the general intellectual functioning was observed both for DMD (mean score = 86.20; SD = 11.54) and for BMD children (mean score = 88; SD = 3.67). Mean FA resulted tendentially always lower in DMD compared to both BMD and TD groups for all the examined tracts. The differences in FA were statistically significant for the right CTT (DMD vs BMD, p = 0.002, and DMD vs TD, p = 0.0015) and the right CPCT (DMD vs TD, p = 0.008). Concerning DMD, significant correlations emerged between FA-R-CTT and intellectual quotients (FIQ, p = 0.044; ρs = 0.821), and executive functions (Denomination Total, p = 0.044, ρs = 0.821; Inhibition Total, p = 0.019, ρs = 0.900). BMD showed a significant correlation between FA-R-CPCT and working memory index (p = 0.007; ρs = 0.949). Discussion and conclusion In this pilot study, despite the limitation of sample size, the findings support the hypothesis of the involvement of a cerebellar-thalamo-cortical loop for the neuropsychological profile of DMD, as the CTT and the CPCT are involved in the network and the related brain structures are known to be implied in executive functions. Our results suggest that altered WM connectivity and reduced fibre organization in cerebellar tracts, probably due to the lack of dystrophin in the brain, may render less efficient some neuropsychological functions in children affected by dystrophinopathies. The wider multicentric study could help to better establish the role of cerebellar connectivity in neuropsychological profile for dystrophinopathies, identifying possible novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Biagi
- Laboratory of Medical Physics and Magnetic Resonance, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Lenzi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Emilio Cipriano
- Laboratory of Medical Physics and Magnetic Resonance, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simona Fiori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Bosco
- Laboratory of Medical Physics and Magnetic Resonance, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Cristofani
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Guia Astrea
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella Pini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University and Nemo Center, Policlinico Universitario Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Tosetti
- Laboratory of Medical Physics and Magnetic Resonance, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- * E-mail:
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15
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Altered structural brain asymmetry in autism spectrum disorder in a study of 54 datasets. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4958. [PMID: 31673008 PMCID: PMC6823355 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13005-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Altered structural brain asymmetry in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been reported. However, findings have been inconsistent, likely due to limited sample sizes. Here we investigated 1,774 individuals with ASD and 1,809 controls, from 54 independent data sets of the ENIGMA consortium. ASD was significantly associated with alterations of cortical thickness asymmetry in mostly medial frontal, orbitofrontal, cingulate and inferior temporal areas, and also with asymmetry of orbitofrontal surface area. These differences generally involved reduced asymmetry in individuals with ASD compared to controls. Furthermore, putamen volume asymmetry was significantly increased in ASD. The largest case-control effect size was Cohen’s d = −0.13, for asymmetry of superior frontal cortical thickness. Most effects did not depend on age, sex, IQ, severity or medication use. Altered lateralized neurodevelopment may therefore be a feature of ASD, affecting widespread brain regions with diverse functions. Large-scale analysis was necessary to quantify subtle alterations of brain structural asymmetry in ASD. Changes in brain structure asymmetry have been reported in autism spectrum disorder. Here the authors investigate this issue using a large-scale sample consisting of 54 data sets.
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16
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Gyawali S, Patra BN. Autism spectrum disorder: Trends in research exploring etiopathogenesis. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2019; 73:466-475. [PMID: 31077508 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition in which affected individuals have difficulties while interacting and communicating socially, and repetitive behaviors. It has a multifactorial etiology. Various risk factors, including genetic and environmental influences, have been explored while trying to understand its causation. As older evidence was suggestive of a high heritability, a majority of research focused on finding the underlying genetic causes of autism. Due to these efforts, there have been advances in the knowledge of some of the genetic factors associated with autism. But a recent trend also shows an increasing interest in exploration of various potential environmental triggers. These efforts have brought us closer to understanding the elusive disorder more so than ever before. The current review discusses the recent trends in research exploring the etiopathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreeya Gyawali
- Department of Psychiatry and National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Bichitra Nanda Patra
- Department of Psychiatry and National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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17
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Quantifying individual differences in brain morphometry underlying symptom severity in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9898. [PMID: 31289283 PMCID: PMC6617442 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45774-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurobiology of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are still unclear. Despite extensive efforts, most findings are difficult to reproduce due to high levels of individual variance in phenotypic expression. To quantify individual differences in brain morphometry in ASD, we implemented a novel subject-level, distance-based method on subject-specific attributes. In a large multi-cohort sample, each subject with ASD (n = 100; n = 84 males; mean age: 11.43 years; mean IQ: 110.58) was strictly matched to a control participant (n = 100; n = 84 males; mean age: 11.43 years; mean IQ: 110.70). Intrapair Euclidean distance of MRI brain morphometry and symptom severity measures (Social Responsiveness Scale) were entered into a regularised machine learning pipeline for feature selection, with rigorous out-of-sample validation and permutation testing. Subject-specific structural morphometry features significantly predicted individual variation in ASD symptom severity (19 cortical thickness features, p = 0.01, n = 5000 permutations; 10 surface area features, p = 0.006, n = 5000 permutations). Findings remained robust across subjects and were replicated in validation samples. Identified cortical regions implicate key hubs of the salience and default mode networks as neuroanatomical features of social impairment in ASD. Present results highlight the importance of subject-level markers in ASD, and offer an important step forward in understanding the neurobiology of heterogeneous disorders.
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18
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Esteves M, Magalhães R, Marques P, Castanho TC, Portugal-Nunes C, Soares JM, Almeida A, Santos NC, Sousa N, Leite-Almeida H. Functional Hemispheric (A)symmetries in the Aged Brain-Relevance for Working Memory. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:58. [PMID: 29593523 PMCID: PMC5857603 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional hemispheric asymmetries have been described in different cognitive processes, such as decision-making and motivation. Variations in the pattern of left/right activity have been associated with normal brain functioning, and with neuropsychiatric diseases. Such asymmetries in brain activity evolve throughout life and are thought to decrease with aging, but clear associations with cognitive function have never been established. Herein, we assessed functional laterality during a working memory task (N-Back) in a healthy aging cohort (over 50 years old) and associated these asymmetries with performance in the test. Activity of lobule VI of the cerebellar hemisphere and angular gyrus was found to be lateralized to the right hemisphere, while the precentral gyrus presented left > right activation during this task. Interestingly, 1-Back accuracy was positively correlated with left > right superior parietal lobule activation, which was mostly due to the influence of the left hemisphere. In conclusion, although regions were mostly symmetrically activated during the N-Back task, performance in working memory in aged individuals seems to benefit from lateralized involvement of the superior parietal lobule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalena Esteves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Magalhães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Paulo Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Teresa C Castanho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Carlos Portugal-Nunes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - José M Soares
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nadine C Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
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19
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Wei L, Zhong S, Nie S, Gong G. Aberrant development of the asymmetry between hemispheric brain white matter networks in autism spectrum disorder. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 28:48-62. [PMID: 29224969 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2017.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Atypical brain asymmetry/lateralization has long been hypothesized for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and this model has been repeatedly supported by various neuroimaging studies. Recently, hemispheric network topologies have been found to be asymmetric, thereby providing a new avenue for investigating brain asymmetries under various conditions. To date, however, how network topological asymmetries are altered in ASD remains largely unexplored. To clarify this, the present study included ASD individuals from the newly released Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange II database (58 right-handed male ASD individuals aged 5 to 26 years and 70 age- and IQ-matched typically developing (TD) individuals). Diffusion and structural magnetic resonance imaging were used to construct hemispheric white matter networks, and graph-theory approaches were applied to quantify topological efficiencies for hemispheric networks. Statistical analyses revealed a decreased rightward asymmetry of network efficiencies with increasing age in the TD group, but not in the ASD group. More specifically, the TD group did not exhibit an age-related increase in network efficiency in the right hemisphere, but the ASD group did. For the left hemisphere, no difference between the groups was observed for the developmental trajectory of network efficiencies. Intriguingly, within the ASD group, more severe restricted and repetitive behavior in ASD was found to be correlated with less rightward asymmetry of network local efficiency. These findings provide suggestive evidence of atypical network topological asymmetries and offer important insights into the abnormal development of ASD brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Wei
- Institute of Medical Imaging Engineering, School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; Laiwu Vocational and Technical College, Laiwu, Shandong, China
| | - Suyu Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning &IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Shengdong Nie
- Institute of Medical Imaging Engineering, School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
| | - Gaolang Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning &IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
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Esteves M, Marques P, Magalhães R, Castanho T, Soares J, Almeida A, Santos N, Sousa N, Leite-Almeida H. Structural laterality is associated with cognitive and mood outcomes: An assessment of 105 healthy aged volunteers. Neuroimage 2017; 153:86-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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Chenausky K, Kernbach J, Norton A, Schlaug G. White Matter Integrity and Treatment-Based Change in Speech Performance in Minimally Verbal Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:175. [PMID: 28424605 PMCID: PMC5380725 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the relationship between imaging variables for two language/speech-motor tracts and speech fluency variables in 10 minimally verbal (MV) children with autism. Specifically, we tested whether measures of white matter integrity—fractional anisotropy (FA) of the arcuate fasciculus (AF) and frontal aslant tract (FAT)—were related to change in percent syllable-initial consonants correct, percent items responded to, and percent syllable insertion errors (from best baseline to post 25 treatment sessions). Twenty-three MV children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) received Auditory-Motor Mapping Training (AMMT), an intonation-based treatment to improve fluency in spoken output, and we report on seven who received a matched control treatment. Ten of the AMMT participants were able to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging study at baseline; their performance on baseline speech production measures is compared to that of the other two groups. No baseline differences were found between groups. A canonical correlation analysis (CCA) relating FA values for left- and right-hemisphere AF and FAT to speech production measures showed that FA of the left AF and right FAT were the largest contributors to the synthetic independent imaging-related variable. Change in percent syllable-initial consonants correct and percent syllable-insertion errors were the largest contributors to the synthetic dependent fluency-related variable. Regression analyses showed that FA values in left AF significantly predicted change in percent syllable-initial consonants correct, no FA variables significantly predicted change in percent items responded to, and FA of right FAT significantly predicted change in percent syllable-insertion errors. Results are consistent with previously identified roles for the AF in mediating bidirectional mapping between articulation and acoustics, and the FAT in its relationship to speech initiation and fluency. They further suggest a division of labor between the hemispheres, implicating the left hemisphere in accuracy of speech production and the right hemisphere in fluency in this population. Changes in response rate are interpreted as stemming from factors other than the integrity of these two fiber tracts. This study is the first to document the existence of a subgroup of MV children who experience increases in syllable- insertion errors as their speech develops in response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Chenausky
- Department of Neurology, Music, Neuroimaging, and Stroke Recovery Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBoston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical SchoolBoston, MA, USA
| | - Julius Kernbach
- Department of Neurology, Music, Neuroimaging, and Stroke Recovery Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBoston, MA, USA.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen UniversityAachen, Germany
| | - Andrea Norton
- Department of Neurology, Music, Neuroimaging, and Stroke Recovery Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBoston, MA, USA
| | - Gottfried Schlaug
- Department of Neurology, Music, Neuroimaging, and Stroke Recovery Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBoston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical SchoolBoston, MA, USA
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22
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Schaafsma SM, Gagnidze K, Reyes A, Norstedt N, Månsson K, Francis K, Pfaff DW. Sex-specific gene-environment interactions underlying ASD-like behaviors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:1383-1388. [PMID: 28115688 PMCID: PMC5307430 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1619312114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The male bias in the incidence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is one of the most notable characteristics of this group of neurodevelopmental disorders. The etiology of this sex bias is far from known, but pivotal for understanding the etiology of ASDs in general. Here we investigate whether a "three-hit" (genetic load × environmental factor × sex) theory of autism may help explain the male predominance. We found that LPS-induced maternal immune activation caused male-specific deficits in certain social responses in the contactin-associated protein-like 2 (Cntnap2) mouse model for ASD. The three "hits" had cumulative effects on ultrasonic vocalizations at postnatal day 3. Hits synergistically affected social recognition in adulthood: only mice exposed to all three hits showed deficits in this aspect of social behavior. In brains of the same mice we found a significant three-way interaction on corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor-1 (Crhr1) gene expression, in the left hippocampus specifically, which co-occurred with epigenetic alterations in histone H3 N-terminal lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) over the Crhr1 promoter. Although it is highly likely that multiple (synergistic) interactions may be at work, change in the expression of genes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/stress system (e.g., Crhr1) is one of them. The data provide proof-of-principle that genetic and environmental factors interact to cause sex-specific effects that may help explain the male bias in ASD incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Schaafsma
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Khatuna Gagnidze
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Anny Reyes
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Natalie Norstedt
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Karl Månsson
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Kerel Francis
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Donald W Pfaff
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
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Zhong J, Chen DQ, Walker M, Waspe A, Looi T, Piorkowska K, Drake JM, Hodaie M. An In vivo Multi-Modal Structural Template for Neonatal Piglets Using High Angular Resolution and Population-Based Whole-Brain Tractography. Front Neuroanat 2016; 10:92. [PMID: 27729850 PMCID: PMC5037218 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2016.00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of applications use the postnatal piglet model in neuroimaging studies, however, these are based primarily on T1 weighted image templates. There is a growing need for a multimodal structural brain template for a comprehensive depiction of the piglet brain, particularly given the growing applications of diffusion weighted imaging for characterizing tissue microstructures and white matter organization. In this study, we present the first multimodal piglet structural brain template which includes a T1 weighted image with tissue segmentation probability maps, diffusion weighted metric templates with multiple diffusivity maps, and population-based whole-brain fiber tracts for postnatal piglets. These maps provide information about the integrity of white matter that is not available in T1 images alone. The availability of this diffusion weighted metric template will contribute to the structural imaging analysis of the postnatal piglet brain, especially models that are designed for the study of white matter diseases. Furthermore, the population-based whole-brain fiber tracts permit researchers to visualize the white matter connections in the piglet brain across subjects, guiding the delineation of a specific white matter region for structural analysis where current diffusion data is lacking. Researchers are able to augment the tracts by merging tracts from their own data to the population-based fiber tracts and thus improve the confidence of the population-wise fiber distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jidan Zhong
- Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour - Systems Neuroscience, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto ON, Canada
| | - David Q Chen
- Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour - Systems Neuroscience, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, TorontoON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, TorontoON, Canada
| | - Matthew Walker
- Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour - Systems Neuroscience, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, TorontoON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, TorontoON, Canada
| | - Adam Waspe
- Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON, Canada
| | - Thomas Looi
- Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON, Canada
| | - Karolina Piorkowska
- Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON, Canada
| | - James M Drake
- Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention, The Hospital for Sick Children, TorontoON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, TorontoON, Canada
| | - Mojgan Hodaie
- Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour - Systems Neuroscience, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, TorontoON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, TorontoON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto Western Hospital - University of Toronto, TorontoON, Canada
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24
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Billeci L, Calderoni S, Conti E, Gesi C, Carmassi C, Dell'Osso L, Cioni G, Muratori F, Guzzetta A. The Broad Autism (Endo)Phenotype: Neurostructural and Neurofunctional Correlates in Parents of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:346. [PMID: 27499732 PMCID: PMC4956643 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a set of neurodevelopmental disorders with an early-onset and a strong genetic component in their pathogenesis. According to genetic and epidemiological data, ASD relatives present personality traits similar to, but not as severe as the defining features of ASD, which have been indicated as the "Broader Autism Phenotype" (BAP). BAP features seem to be more prevalent in first-degree relatives of individuals with ASD than in the general population. Characterizing brain profiles of relatives of autistic probands may help to understand ASD endophenotype. The aim of this review was to provide an up-to-date overview of research findings on the neurostructural and neurofunctional substrates in parents of individuals with ASD (pASD). The primary hypothesis was that, like for the behavioral profile, the pASD express an intermediate neurobiological pattern between ASD individuals and healthy controls. The 13 reviewed studies evaluated structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain volumes, chemical signals using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), task-related functional activation by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), or magnetoencephalography (MEG) in pASD.The studies showed that pASD are generally different from healthy controls at a structural and functional level despite often not behaviorally impaired. More atypicalities in neural patterns of pASD seem to be associated with higher scores at BAP assessment. Some of the observed atypicalities are the same of the ASD probands. In addition, the pattern of neural correlates in pASD resembles that of adult individuals with ASD, or it is specific, possibly due to a compensatory mechanism. Future studies should ideally include a group of pASD and HC with their ASD and non-ASD probands respectively. They should subgrouping the pASD according to the BAP scores, considering gender as a possible confounding factor, and correlating these scores to underlying brain structure and function. These types of studies may help to understand the genetic mechanisms involved in the various clinical dimension of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Billeci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | | | - Eugenia Conti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care G. D'Alessandro, University of PalermoPalermo, Italy
| | - Camilla Gesi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Liliana Dell'Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
- IRCCS Stella Maris FoundationPisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
- IRCCS Stella Maris FoundationPisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Guzzetta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of PisaPisa, Italy
- IRCCS Stella Maris FoundationPisa, Italy
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