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Batouli SAH, Razavi F, Sisakhti M, Oghabian Z, Ahmadzade H, Tehrani Doost M. Examining the Dominant Presence of Brain Grey Matter in Autism During Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Basic Clin Neurosci 2023; 14:585-604. [PMID: 38628837 PMCID: PMC11016874 DOI: 10.32598/bcn.2021.1774.3] [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: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with symptoms appearing from early childhood. Behavioral modifications, special education, and medicines are used to treat ASD; however, the effectiveness of the treatments depends on early diagnosis of the disorder. The primary approach in diagnosing ASD is based on clinical interviews and valid scales. Still, methods based on brain imaging could also be possible diagnostic biomarkers for ASD. Methods To identify the amount of information the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reveals on ASD, we reviewed 292 task-based fMRI studies on ASD individuals. This study is part of a systematic review with the registration number CRD42017070975. Results We observed that face perception, language, attention, and social processing tasks were mainly studied in ASD. In addition, 73 brain regions, nearly 83% of brain grey matter, showed an altered activation between the ASD and normal individuals during these four tasks, either in a lower or a higher activation. Conclusion Using imaging methods, such as fMRI, to diagnose and predict ASD is a great objective; research similar to the present study could be the initial step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Amir Hossein Batouli
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Neuroimaging and Analysis Group, Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Foroogh Razavi
- Neuroimaging and Analysis Group, Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Minoo Sisakhti
- Neuroimaging and Analysis Group, Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Institute for Cognitive Sciences Studies, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeinab Oghabian
- Neuroimaging and Analysis Group, Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haady Ahmadzade
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Neuroimaging and Analysis Group, Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Tehrani Doost
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, Roozbeh Psychiatry Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Ang CS, MacDougall FA. An Evaluation of Animal-Assisted Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders: Therapist and Parent Perspectives. PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES 2022; 67:72-81. [PMID: 35287312 PMCID: PMC8907032 DOI: 10.1007/s12646-022-00647-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Although there are a variety of psychological and therapeutic approaches to coping Autism Spectrum Disorder, people with autism still face some challenges in a “normal” therapy setting. Some therapy organizations and services have proposed an alternative therapy approach, Animal-assisted therapy (AAT). The aim of this phenomenological study was to gain a better understanding of the therapists and parents of individuals who choose the alternative approach, AAT. Data were collected through structured interviews with a group of three therapists and four parents. An analysis of the data revealed three main themes; the first theme named the perceived benefits of AAT with three subthemes consisting of physical benefits, sensory benefits and emotional benefits. The second theme is named the way AAT works with subthemes of client-centred therapy and mixed models, and the third theme is potential limitations of AAT. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Siang Ang
- School of Psychology, TMC Academy, 805 Geylang Rd, Singapore, 389683 Singapore
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Freya Anne MacDougall
- Faculty of Health, Education and Society, The University of Northampton, Northampton, UK
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3
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Miller SM. Fluctuations of consciousness, mood, and science: The interhemispheric switch and sticky switch models two decades on. J Comp Neurol 2020; 528:3171-3197. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.24943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven M. Miller
- Perceptual and Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Physiology Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre Central Clinical School, Monash University and Alfred Health Melbourne Victoria Australia
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Whiting SE, Carson AM, Clark GD, Schwartz DD. Case report of prenatal bilateral cerebellar infarction: implications for social-behavioral functioning. Clin Neuropsychol 2019; 33:890-904. [DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2018.1563631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara E. Whiting
- Psychology Section, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Audrey M. Carson
- Psychology Section, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gary D. Clark
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David D. Schwartz
- Psychology Section, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
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Yan W, Rangaprakash D, Deshpande G. Aberrant hemodynamic responses in autism: Implications for resting state fMRI functional connectivity studies. Neuroimage Clin 2018; 19:320-330. [PMID: 30013915 PMCID: PMC6044186 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Functional MRI (fMRI) is modeled as a convolution of the hemodynamic response function (HRF) and an unmeasured latent neural signal. However, HRF itself is variable across brain regions and subjects. This variability is induced by both neural and non-neural factors. Aberrations in underlying neurochemical mechanisms, which control HRF shape, have been reported in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Therefore, we hypothesized that this will lead to voxel-specific, yet systematic differences in HRF shape between ASD and healthy controls. As a corollary, we also hypothesized that such alterations will lead to differences in estimated functional connectivity in fMRI space compared to latent neural space. To test these hypotheses, we performed blind deconvolution of resting-state fMRI time series acquired from large number of ASD and control subjects obtained from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) database (N = 1102). Many brain regions previously implicated in autism showed systematic differences in HRF shape in ASD. Specifically, we found that precuneus had aberrations in all HRF parameters. Consequently, we obtained precuneus-seed-based functional connectivity differences between ASD and controls using fMRI as well as using latent neural signals. We found that non-deconvolved fMRI data failed to detect group differences in connectivity between precuneus and certain brain regions that were instead observed in deconvolved data. Our results are relevant for the understanding of hemodynamic and neurochemical aberrations in ASD, as well as have methodological implications for resting-state functional connectivity studies in Autism, and more generally in disorders that are accompanied by neurochemical alterations that may impact HRF shape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Yan
- AU MRI Research Center, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - D Rangaprakash
- AU MRI Research Center, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gopikrishna Deshpande
- AU MRI Research Center, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA; Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA; Center for Health Ecology and Equity Research, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Advanced Imaging Consortium, Auburn University and University of Alabama Birmingham, AL, USA.
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Brown-Lum M, Zwicker JG. Neuroimaging and Occupational Therapy: Bridging the Gap to Advance Rehabilitation in Developmental Coordination Disorder. J Mot Behav 2017; 49:98-110. [DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2016.1271295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Meisan Brown-Lum
- Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jill G. Zwicker
- Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, Vancouver, Canada
- CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research, Hamilton, Canada
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Nowicka A, Cygan HB, Tacikowski P, Ostaszewski P, Kuś R. Name recognition in autism: EEG evidence of altered patterns of brain activity and connectivity. Mol Autism 2016. [PMID: 27602201 DOI: 10.1186/s13229‐016‐0102‐z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired orienting to social stimuli is one of the core early symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, in contrast to faces, name processing has rarely been studied in individuals with ASD. Here, we investigated brain activity and functional connectivity associated with recognition of names in the high-functioning ASD group and in the control group. METHODS EEG was recorded in 15 young males with ASD and 15 matched one-to-one control individuals. EEG data were analyzed with the event-related potential (ERP), event-related desynchronization and event-related synchronization (ERD/S), as well as coherence and direct transfer function (DTF) methods. Four categories of names were presented visually: one's own, close-other's, famous, and unknown. RESULTS Differences between the ASD and control groups were found for ERP, coherence, and DTF. In individuals with ASD, P300 (a positive ERP component) to own-name and to a close-other's name were similar whereas in control participants, P300 to own-name was enhanced when compared to all other names. Analysis of coherence and DTF revealed disruption of fronto-posterior task-related connectivity in individuals with ASD within the beta range frequencies. Moreover, DTF indicated the directionality of those impaired connections-they were going from parieto-occipital to frontal regions. DTF also showed inter-group differences in short-range connectivity: weaker connections within the frontal region and stronger connections within the occipital region in the ASD group in comparison to the control group. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a lack of the self-preference effect and impaired functioning of the attentional network during recognition of visually presented names in individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nowicka
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hanna B Cygan
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland ; Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute, Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Tacikowski
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland ; Brain, Body, and Self Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Retzius väg 8, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paweł Ostaszewski
- Department of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 19/31 Chodakowska Street, 03-815 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Kuś
- Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 5 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
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Nowicka A, Cygan HB, Tacikowski P, Ostaszewski P, Kuś R. Name recognition in autism: EEG evidence of altered patterns of brain activity and connectivity. Mol Autism 2016; 7:38. [PMID: 27602201 PMCID: PMC5012044 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-016-0102-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Impaired orienting to social stimuli is one of the core early symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, in contrast to faces, name processing has rarely been studied in individuals with ASD. Here, we investigated brain activity and functional connectivity associated with recognition of names in the high-functioning ASD group and in the control group. Methods EEG was recorded in 15 young males with ASD and 15 matched one-to-one control individuals. EEG data were analyzed with the event-related potential (ERP), event-related desynchronization and event-related synchronization (ERD/S), as well as coherence and direct transfer function (DTF) methods. Four categories of names were presented visually: one’s own, close-other’s, famous, and unknown. Results Differences between the ASD and control groups were found for ERP, coherence, and DTF. In individuals with ASD, P300 (a positive ERP component) to own-name and to a close-other’s name were similar whereas in control participants, P300 to own-name was enhanced when compared to all other names. Analysis of coherence and DTF revealed disruption of fronto-posterior task-related connectivity in individuals with ASD within the beta range frequencies. Moreover, DTF indicated the directionality of those impaired connections—they were going from parieto-occipital to frontal regions. DTF also showed inter-group differences in short-range connectivity: weaker connections within the frontal region and stronger connections within the occipital region in the ASD group in comparison to the control group. Conclusions Our findings suggest a lack of the self-preference effect and impaired functioning of the attentional network during recognition of visually presented names in individuals with ASD. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13229-016-0102-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nowicka
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hanna B Cygan
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland ; Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute, Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Tacikowski
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland ; Brain, Body, and Self Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Retzius väg 8, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paweł Ostaszewski
- Department of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 19/31 Chodakowska Street, 03-815 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Kuś
- Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 5 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
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9
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Chmielewski WX, Beste C. Action control processes in autism spectrum disorder – Insights from a neurobiological and neuroanatomical perspective. Prog Neurobiol 2015; 124:49-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Revised: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Cygan HB, Tacikowski P, Ostaszewski P, Chojnicka I, Nowicka A. Neural correlates of own name and own face detection in autism spectrum disorder. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86020. [PMID: 24465847 PMCID: PMC3899112 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition clinically characterized by social interaction and communication difficulties. To date, the majority of research efforts have focused on brain mechanisms underlying the deficits in interpersonal social cognition associated with ASD. Recent empirical and theoretical work has begun to reveal evidence for a reduced or even absent self-preference effect in patients with ASD. One may hypothesize that this is related to the impaired attentional processing of self-referential stimuli. The aim of our study was to test this hypothesis. We investigated the neural correlates of face and name detection in ASD. Four categories of face/name stimuli were used: own, close-other, famous, and unknown. Event-related potentials were recorded from 62 electrodes in 23 subjects with ASD and 23 matched control subjects. P100, N170, and P300 components were analyzed. The control group clearly showed a significant self-preference effect: higher P300 amplitude to the presentation of own face and own name than to the close-other, famous, and unknown categories, indicating preferential attentional engagement in processing of self-related information. In contrast, detection of both own and close-other's face and name in the ASD group was associated with enhanced P300, suggesting similar attention allocation for self and close-other related information. These findings suggest that attention allocation in the ASD group is modulated by the personal significance factor, and that the self-preference effect is absent if self is compared to close-other. These effects are similar for physical and non-physical aspects of the autistic self. In addition, lateralization of face and name processing is attenuated in ASD, suggesting atypical brain organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna B. Cygan
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Neurophysiology, Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Pawel Tacikowski
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Neurophysiology, Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Warsaw, Poland
- Karolinska Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Brain, Body and Self Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pawel Ostaszewski
- University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Department of Psychology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Izabela Chojnicka
- Medical University of Warsaw, Department of Medical Genetics, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Nowicka
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Neurophysiology, Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Warsaw, Poland
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Neuroimaging in children, adolescents and young adults with psychological trauma. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2013; 22:745-55. [PMID: 23553572 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-013-0410-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2012] [Accepted: 03/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Childhood psychological trauma is a strong predictor of psychopathology. Preclinical research points to the influence of this type of trauma on brain development. However, the effects of psychological trauma on the developing human brain are less known and a challenging question is whether the effects can be reversed or even prevented. The aim of this review is to give an overview of neuroimaging studies in traumatized juveniles and young adults up till 2012. Neuroimaging studies in children and adolescents with traumatic experiences were found to be scarce. Most studies were performed by a small number of research groups in the United States and examined structural abnormalities. The reduction in hippocampal volume reported in adults with PTSD could not be confirmed in juveniles. The most consistent finding in children and adolescents, who experienced psychological trauma are structural abnormalities of the corpus callosum. We could not identify any studies investigating treatment effects. Neuroimaging studies in traumatized children and adolescents clearly lag behind studies in traumatized adults as well as studies on ADHD and autism.
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Dierker DL, Feczko E, Pruett JR, Petersen SE, Schlaggar BL, Constantino JN, Harwell JW, Coalson TS, Van Essen DC. Analysis of cortical shape in children with simplex autism. Cereb Cortex 2013; 25:1042-51. [PMID: 24165833 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bht294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We used surface-based morphometry to test for differences in cortical shape between children with simplex autism (n = 34, mean age 11.4 years) and typical children (n = 32, mean age 11.3 years). This entailed testing for group differences in sulcal depth and in 3D coordinates after registering cortical midthickness surfaces to an atlas target using 2 independent registration methods. We identified bilateral differences in sulcal depth in restricted portions of the anterior-insula and frontal-operculum (aI/fO) and in the temporoparietal junction (TPJ). The aI/fO depth differences are associated with and likely to be caused by a shape difference in the inferior frontal gyrus in children with simplex autism. Comparisons of average midthickness surfaces of children with simplex autism and those of typical children suggest that the significant sulcal depth differences represent local peaks in a larger pattern of regional differences that are below statistical significance when using coordinate-based analysis methods. Cortical regions that are statistically significant before correction for multiple measures are peaks of more extended, albeit subtle regional differences that may guide hypothesis generation for studies using other imaging modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John R Pruett
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | | | | - John N Constantino
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have numerous etiologies, including structural brain malformations such as agenesis of the corpus callosum (AgCC). We sought to directly measure the occurrence of autism traits in a cohort of individuals with AgCC and to investigate the neural underpinnings of this association. We screened a large AgCC cohort (n = 106) with the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and found that 45 % of children, 35 % of adolescents, and 18 % of adults exceeded the predetermined autism-screening cut-off. Interestingly, performance on the AQ's imagination domain was inversely correlated with magnetoencephalography measures of resting-state functional connectivity in the right superior temporal gyrus. Individuals with AgCC should be screened for ASD and disorders of the corpus callosum should be considered in autism diagnostic evaluations as well.
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Silverman JL, Oliver CF, Karras MN, Gastrell PT, Crawley JN. AMPAKINE enhancement of social interaction in the BTBR mouse model of autism. Neuropharmacology 2013; 64:268-82. [PMID: 22801296 PMCID: PMC3445667 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2012] [Revised: 07/05/2012] [Accepted: 07/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which the first diagnostic symptom is unusual reciprocal social interactions. Approximately half of the children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder also have intellectual impairments. General cognitive abilities may be fundamental to many aspects of social cognition. Cognitive enhancers could conceivably be of significant benefit to children and adults with autism. AMPAKINE compounds are a novel class of pharmacological agents that act as positive modulators of AMPA receptors to enhance excitatory glutamatergic neurotransmission. This class of compounds was reported to improve learning and memory in several rodent and non-human primate tasks, and to normalize respiratory abnormalities in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. Here we evaluate the actions of AMPA compounds in adult male and female BTBR mice, a well characterized mouse model of autism. Acute treatment with CX1837 and CX1739 reversed the deficit in sociability in BTBR mice on the most sensitive parameter, time spent sniffing a novel mouse as compared to time spent sniffing a novel object. The less sensitive parameter, time in the chamber containing the novel mouse versus time in the chamber containing the novel object, was not rescued by CX1837 or CX1739 treatment. Preliminary data with CX546, in which β-cyclodextrin was the vehicle, revealed behavioral effects of the acute intraperitoneal and oral administration of vehicle alone. To circumvent the artifacts introduced by the vehicle administration, we employed a novel treatment regimen using pellets of peanut butter for drug delivery. Absence of vehicle treatment effects when CX1837 and CX1739 were given in the peanut butter pellets, to multiple cohorts of BTBR and B6 control mice, confirmed that the pharmacologically-induced improvements in sociability in BTBR were not confounded by the administration procedures. The highest dose of CX1837 improved the cognitive deficit in novel object recognition in BTBR. No drug effects were detected on the high levels of repetitive self-grooming in BTBR. In open field tests, CX1837 and CX1739 did not induce hyperactivity or sedation in either strain. It is interesting to speculate that the ability of CX1837 and CX1739 to restore aspects of sociability in BTBR mice could utilize synaptic mechanisms regulating social cognition, suggesting a potential pharmacological target for interventions to treat symptoms of autism. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Cognitive Enhancers'.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Autistic Disorder/drug therapy
- Autistic Disorder/physiopathology
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Cognition Disorders/etiology
- Cognition Disorders/prevention & control
- Dioxoles/administration & dosage
- Dioxoles/adverse effects
- Dioxoles/therapeutic use
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drugs, Investigational/administration & dosage
- Drugs, Investigational/adverse effects
- Drugs, Investigational/therapeutic use
- Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists/administration & dosage
- Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists/adverse effects
- Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists/therapeutic use
- Female
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred Strains
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Nootropic Agents/administration & dosage
- Nootropic Agents/adverse effects
- Nootropic Agents/therapeutic use
- Piperidines/administration & dosage
- Piperidines/adverse effects
- Piperidines/therapeutic use
- Random Allocation
- Receptors, AMPA/agonists
- Recognition, Psychology/drug effects
- Social Behavior
- Social Behavior Disorders/etiology
- Social Behavior Disorders/prevention & control
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Silverman
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-3730, USA.
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Autism spectrum disorder: does neuroimaging support the DSM-5 proposal for a symptom dyad? A systematic review of functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging studies. J Autism Dev Disord 2012; 42:1326-41. [PMID: 21932156 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-011-1360-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
A systematic review of 208 studies comprising functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging data in patients with 'autism spectrum disorder' (ASD) was conducted, in order to determine whether these data support the forthcoming DSM-5 proposal of a social communication and behavioral symptom dyad. Studies consistently reported abnormal function and structure of fronto-temporal and limbic networks with social and pragmatic language deficits, of temporo-parieto-occipital networks with syntactic-semantic language deficits, and of fronto-striato-cerebellar networks with repetitive behaviors and restricted interests in ASD patients. Therefore, this review partially supports the DSM-5 proposal for the ASD dyad.
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16
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Kleinhans NM, Pauley G, Richards T, Neuhaus E, Martin N, Corrigan NM, Shaw DW, Estes A, Dager SR. Age-related abnormalities in white matter microstructure in autism spectrum disorders. Brain Res 2012; 1479:1-16. [PMID: 22902768 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.07.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Revised: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 07/27/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Abnormalities in structural and functional connectivity have been reported in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) across a wide age range. However, developmental changes in white matter microstructure are poorly understood. We used a cross-sectional design to determine whether white matter abnormalities measured using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were present in adolescents and adults with ASD and whether age-related changes in white matter microstructure differed between ASD and typically developing (TD) individuals. Participants included 28 individuals with ASD and 33 TD controls matched on age and IQ and assessed at one time point. Widespread decreased fractional anisotropy (FA), and increased radial diffusivity (RaD) and mean diffusivity (MD) were observed in the ASD group compared to the TD group. In addition, significant group-by-age interactions were observed in FA, RaD, and MD in all major tracts except the brain stem, indicating that age-related changes in white matter microstructure differed between the groups. We propose that white matter microstructural changes in ASD may reflect myelination and/or other structural differences including differences in axonal density/arborization. In addition, we suggest that white matter microstuctural impairments may be normalizing during young adulthood in ASD. Future longitudinal studies that include a wider range of ages and more extensive clinical characterization will be critical for further uncovering the neurodevelopmental processes unfolding during this dynamic time in development.
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Moreno H, Burghardt NS, Vela-Duarte D, Masciotti J, Hua F, Fenton AA, Schwaller B, Small SA. The absence of the calcium-buffering protein calbindin is associated with faster age-related decline in hippocampal metabolism. Hippocampus 2012; 22:1107-20. [PMID: 21630373 PMCID: PMC3166382 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.20957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2011] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Although reductions in the expression of the calcium-buffering proteins calbindin D-28K (CB) and parvalbumin (PV) have been observed in the aging brain, it is unknown whether these changes contribute to age-related hippocampal dysfunction. To address this issue, we measured basal hippocampal metabolism and hippocampal structure across the lifespan of C57BL/6J, calbindin D-28k knockout (CBKO) and parvalbumin knockout (PVKO) mice. Basal metabolism was estimated using steady state relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), which is a variant of fMRI that provides the highest spatial resolution, optimal for the analysis of individual subregions of the hippocampal formation. We found that like primates, normal aging in C57BL/6J mice is characterized by an age-dependent decline in rCBV-estimated dentate gyrus (DG) metabolism. Although abnormal hippocampal fMRI signals were observed in CBKO and PVKO mice, only CBKO mice showed accelerated age-dependent decline of rCBV-estimated metabolism in the DG. We also found age-independent structural changes in CBKO mice, which included an enlarged hippocampus and neocortex as well as global brain hypertrophy. These metabolic and structural changes in CBKO mice correlated with a deficit in hippocampus-dependent learning in the active place avoidance task. Our results suggest that the decrease in CB that occurs during normal aging is involved in age-related hippocampal metabolic decline. Our findings also illustrate the value of using multiple MRI techniques in transgenic mice to investigate mechanisms involved in the functional and structural changes that occur during aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman Moreno
- SUNY Downstate Medical Center, The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, Department of Neurology and Pharmacology &Physiology, 450 Clarkson Avenue Box 29, Brooklyn NY USA 11203, Phone: (718) 270-4660
| | - Nesha S. Burghardt
- Columbia University, Departments of Neuroscience, Pharmacology & Psychiatry, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 87, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Daniel Vela-Duarte
- SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, 450 Clarkson Avenue Box 29, Brooklyn NY USA 11203
| | - James Masciotti
- Columbia University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 630 West 168th Street, PH # 19, New York, NY USA 10032, Columbia University
| | - Fan Hua
- Columbia University, Department of Radiology, 630 West 168th Street, PH # 19, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - André A. Fenton
- New York University, Center for Neural Science, New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, NY USA 10003-6621 And SUNY Downstate Medical Center, The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn NY USA 11203
| | - Beat Schwaller
- University of Fribourg, Unit of Anatomy, Department of Medicine, 1, route Albert-Gockel, CH-1700 Fribourg Switzerland
| | - Scott A. Small
- Columbia University, School of Physicians and Surgeons, 630 West 168th Street, PH # 19, New York, NY USA 10032
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Wilson LB, Tregellas JR, Slason E, Pasko BE, Hepburn S, Rojas DC. Phonological processing in first-degree relatives of individuals with autism: an fMRI study. Hum Brain Mapp 2012; 34:1447-63. [PMID: 22419478 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2011] [Revised: 10/17/2011] [Accepted: 11/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental disorders. Twin studies have provided heritability estimates as high as 90% for idiopathic ASD. Further evidence for the spectrum's heritability is provided by the presence of the broad autism phenotype (BAP) in unaffected first-degree relatives. Language ability, specifically phonological processing, is proposed to be a core BAP trait. To date, however, no functional neuroimaging investigations of phonological processing in relatives of individuals with ASD have been undertaken. We conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study in parents of children with ASD utilizing a priming task probing implicit phonological processing. In our condition that placed heavier demands on phonological recoding, parents exhibited greater hemodynamic responses than controls in a network of cortical regions involved in phonological processing. Across conditions, parents exhibited enhanced priming-induced response suppression suggesting compensatory neural processing. A nonword repetition test used in previous studies of relatives was also administered. Correlations between this measure and our functional measures also suggested compensatory processing in parents. Regions exhibiting atypical responses in parents included regions previously implicated in the spectrum's language impairments and found to exhibit structural abnormalities in a parent study. These results suggest a possible neurobiological substrate of the phonological deficits proposed to be a core BAP trait. However, these results should be considered preliminary. No previous fMRI study has investigated phonological processing in ASD, so replication is required. Furthermore, interpretation of our fMRI results is limited by the fact that the parent group failed to exhibit behavioral evidence of phonological impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa B Wilson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Dziobek I, Köhne S. [Brain imaging in autism spectrum disorders. A review]. DER NERVENARZT 2011; 82:564-72. [PMID: 21533594 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-010-3240-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In the past two decades, an increasing number of functional and structural brain imaging studies has provided insights into the neurobiological basis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This article summarizes pertinent functional brain imaging studies addressing the neuronal underpinnings of ASD symptomatology (impairments in social interaction and communication, repetitive and restrictive behavior) and associated neuropsychological deficits (theory of mind, executive functions, central coherence), complemented by relevant structural imaging findings. The results of these studies show that although cognitive functions in ASD are generally mediated by the same brain regions as in typically developed individuals, the degree and especially the patterns of brain activation often differ. Therefore, a hypothesis of aberrant network connectivity has increasingly been favored over one of focal brain dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Dziobek
- Cluster Languages of Emotion, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195, Berlin.
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Brain connectivity and high functioning autism: a promising path of research that needs refined models, methodological convergence, and stronger behavioral links. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2011; 36:604-25. [PMID: 21963441 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2011.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 263] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2011] [Revised: 09/07/2011] [Accepted: 09/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Here we review findings from studies investigating functional and structural brain connectivity in high functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The dominant theory regarding brain connectivity in people with ASD is that there is long distance under-connectivity and local over-connectivity of the frontal cortex. Consistent with this theory, long-range cortico-cortical functional and structural connectivity appears to be weaker in people with ASD than in controls. However, in contrast to the theory, there is less evidence for local over-connectivity of the frontal cortex. Moreover, some patterns of abnormal functional connectivity in ASD are not captured by current theoretical models. Taken together, empirical findings measuring different forms of connectivity demonstrate complex patterns of abnormal connectivity in people with ASD. The frequently suggested pattern of long-range under-connectivity and local over-connectivity is in need of refinement.
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Fecteau S, Agosta S, Oberman L, Pascual-Leone A. Brain stimulation over Broca's area differentially modulates naming skills in neurotypical adults and individuals with Asperger's syndrome. Eur J Neurosci 2011; 34:158-64. [PMID: 21676037 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2011.07726.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In the present study we tested the hypothesis that, in subjects with Asperger's syndrome (ASP), the dynamics of language-related regions might be abnormal, so that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over Broca's area leads to differential behavioral effects as seen in neurotypical controls. We conducted a five-stimulation-site, double-blind, multiple crossover, pseudo-randomized, sham-controlled study in 10 individuals with ASP and 10 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. Object naming was assessed before and after low-frequency rTMS of the left pars opercularis, left pars triangularis, right pars opercularis and right pars triangularis, and sham stimulation, as guided stereotaxically by each individual's brain magnetic resonance imaging. In ASP participants, naming improved after rTMS of the left pars triangularis as compared with sham stimulation, whereas rTMS of the adjacent left opercularis lengthened naming latency. In healthy subjects, stimulation of parts of Broca's area did not lead to significant changes in naming skills, consistent with published data. Overall, these findings support our hypothesis of abnormal language neural network dynamics in individuals with ASP. From a methodological point of view, this work illustrates the use of rTMS to study the dynamics of brain-behavior relations by revealing the differential behavioral impact of non-invasive brain stimulation in a neuropsychiatric disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Fecteau
- Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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22
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Voineskos AN, Lett TAP, Lerch JP, Tiwari AK, Ameis SH, Rajji TK, Müller DJ, Mulsant BH, Kennedy JL. Neurexin-1 and frontal lobe white matter: an overlapping intermediate phenotype for schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20982. [PMID: 21687627 PMCID: PMC3110800 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2011] [Accepted: 05/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Structural variation in the neurexin-1 (NRXN1) gene increases risk for both autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia. However, the manner in which NRXN1 gene variation may be related to brain morphology to confer risk for ASD or schizophrenia is unknown. Method/Principal Findings 53 healthy individuals between 18–59 years of age were genotyped at 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms of the NRXN1 gene. All subjects received structural MRI scans, which were processed to determine cortical gray and white matter lobar volumes, and volumes of striatal and thalamic structures. Each subject's sensorimotor function was also assessed. The general linear model was used to calculate the influence of genetic variation on neural and cognitive phenotypes. Finally, in silico analysis was conducted to assess potential functional relevance of any polymorphisms associated with brain measures. A polymorphism located in the 3′ untranslated region of NRXN1 significantly influenced white matter volumes in whole brain and frontal lobes after correcting for total brain volume, age and multiple comparisons. Follow-up in silico analysis revealed that this SNP is a putative microRNA binding site that may be of functional significance in regulating NRXN1 expression. This variant also influenced sensorimotor performance, a neurocognitive function impaired in both ASD and schizophrenia. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that the NRXN1 gene, a vulnerability gene for SCZ and ASD, influences brain structure and cognitive function susceptible in both disorders. In conjunction with our in silico results, our findings provide evidence for a neural and cognitive susceptibility mechanism by which the NRXN1 gene confers risk for both schizophrenia and ASD.
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23
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Autism and ADHD: How far have we come in the comorbidity debate? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2011; 35:1081-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2010] [Revised: 10/11/2010] [Accepted: 11/10/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Wass S. Distortions and disconnections: Disrupted brain connectivity in autism. Brain Cogn 2011; 75:18-28. [PMID: 21055864 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2010.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 251] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2010] [Revised: 07/22/2010] [Accepted: 10/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sam Wass
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, School of Psychology, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, United Kingdom.
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25
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Dziobek I, Bölte S. Neuropsychologische Modelle von Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR KINDER-UND JUGENDPSYCHIATRIE UND PSYCHOTHERAPIE 2011; 39:79-90. [DOI: 10.1024/1422-4917/a000094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Fragestellung: Der Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die Modelle der Theory of Mind (ToM), Exekutivfunktionen (EF) und Zentralen Kohärenz (ZK), welche die neuropsychologischen Auffälligkeiten bei Menschen mit Autismus-Spektrum Störungen (ASS) treffend zu beschreiben vermögen. Methodik: In einem selektiven Review werden Ergebnisse behavioraler und funktionell-bildgebender Arbeiten zu den sozial-kognitiven, emotionalen und exekutiven Funktionen sowie der lokal-orientierten Wahrnehmung bei ASS berichtet. Ergebnisse: Beeinträchtigungen in ToM und EF sowie Besonderheiten in ZK sind vielfach replizierte Phänomene bei ASS. Vor allem soziale Wahrnehmungsprobleme und ToM haben einen hohen Erklärungswert für die klinische Symptomatik von ASS. Cerebrale Aktivierungsmuster unterscheiden sich bei Menschen mit und ohne ASS für ToM, EF und ZK. Als übergeordnetes neurales Erklärungsmodell scheint sich verringerte Konnektivität rekrutierter kortikaler Netzwerke gegen das Konzept einzelner betroffener Gehirnareale durchzusetzen. Schlussfolgerungen: Für ein besseres Verständnis der komplexen Zusammenhänge bei ASS ist eine zukünftige Integration klinischer, neuropsychologischer, funktionell-bildgebender und molekulargenetischer Befunde essenziell. Schwächen bei ToM und EF sowie Stärken in den Bereichen detail-orientierte Wahrnehmung sollten bei der individuellen Interventionsplanung verstärkt Eingang finden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Dziobek
- Exzellenzcluster «Languages of Emotion», Freie Universität Berlin
| | - Sven Bölte
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
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26
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Roullet FI, Crawley JN. Mouse models of autism: testing hypotheses about molecular mechanisms. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2011; 7:187-212. [PMID: 21225409 PMCID: PMC3396120 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2010_113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is currently diagnosed by the presence of three behavioral criteria (1) qualitative impairments in reciprocal social interactions, (2) deficits in communication, including delayed language and noninteractive conversation, and (3) motor stereotypies, repetitive behaviors, insistence on sameness, and restricted interests. This chapter describes analogous behavioral assays that have been developed for mice, including tests for social approach, reciprocal social interactions, olfactory communication, ultrasonic vocalizations, repetitive and perseverative behaviors, and motor stereotypies. Examples of assay applications to genetic mouse models of autism are provided. Robust endophenotypes that are highly relevant to the core symptoms of autism are enabling the search for the genetic and environmental causes of autism, and the discovery of effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence I. Roullet
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Building 35 Room 1C-903/909, Mail Code 3730, Bethesda, MD 20892-3730, USA
| | - Jacqueline N. Crawley
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Building 35 Room 1C-903/909, Mail Code 3730, Bethesda, MD 20892-3730, USA
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27
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Huijbregts SCJ, de Sonneville LMJ. Does cognitive impairment explain behavioral and social problems of children with neurofibromatosis type 1? Behav Genet 2010; 41:430-6. [PMID: 21184163 PMCID: PMC3102189 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-010-9430-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2010] [Accepted: 12/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Thirty NF1-patients (mean age 11.7 years, SD = 3.3) and 30 healthy controls (mean age 12.5 years, SD = 3.1) were assessed on social skills, autistic traits, hyperactivity-inattention, emotional problems, conduct problems, and peer problems. Cognitive control, information processing speed, and social information processing were measured using 5 computer tasks. GLM analyses of variance showed significant group differences, to the disadvantage of NF1-patients, on all measures of behavior, social functioning and cognition. General cognitive ability (a composite score of processing speed, social information processing, and cognitive control) accounted for group differences in emotional problems, whereas social information processing accounted for group differences in conduct problems. Although reductions were observed for group differences in other aspects of behavior and social functioning after control for (specific) cognitive abilities, group differences remained evident. Training of cognitive abilities may help reducing certain social and behavioral problems of children with NF1, but further refinement regarding associations between specific aspects of cognition and specific social and behavioral outcomes is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan C J Huijbregts
- Department of Education and Child Studies, Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
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Cheung C, Yu K, Fung G, Leung M, Wong C, Li Q, Sham P, Chua S, McAlonan G. Autistic disorders and schizophrenia: related or remote? An anatomical likelihood estimation. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12233. [PMID: 20805880 PMCID: PMC2923607 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2010] [Accepted: 07/19/2010] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Shared genetic and environmental risk factors have been identified for autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia. Social interaction, communication, emotion processing, sensorimotor gating and executive function are disrupted in both, stimulating debate about whether these are related conditions. Brain imaging studies constitute an informative and expanding resource to determine whether brain structural phenotype of these disorders is distinct or overlapping. We aimed to synthesize existing datasets characterizing ASD and schizophrenia within a common framework, to quantify their structural similarities. In a novel modification of Anatomical Likelihood Estimation (ALE), 313 foci were extracted from 25 voxel-based studies comprising 660 participants (308 ASD, 352 first-episode schizophrenia) and 801 controls. The results revealed that, compared to controls, lower grey matter volumes within limbic-striato-thalamic circuitry were common to ASD and schizophrenia. Unique features of each disorder included lower grey matter volume in amygdala, caudate, frontal and medial gyrus for schizophrenia and putamen for autism. Thus, in terms of brain volumetrics, ASD and schizophrenia have a clear degree of overlap that may reflect shared etiological mechanisms. However, the distinctive neuroanatomy also mapped in each condition raises the question about how this is arrived in the context of common etiological pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlton Cheung
- Department of Psychiatry, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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29
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Bigler ED, Abildskov TJ, Petrie JA, Johnson M, Lange N, Chipman J, Lu J, McMahon W, Lainhart JE. Volumetric and voxel-based morphometry findings in autism subjects with and without macrocephaly. Dev Neuropsychol 2010; 35:278-95. [PMID: 20446133 DOI: 10.1080/87565641003696817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This study sought to replicate Herbert et al. (2003a), which found increased overall white matter (WM) volume in subjects with autism, even after controlling for head size differences. To avoid the possibility that greater WM volume in autism is merely an epiphenomena of macrocephaly overrepresentation associated with the disorder, the current study included control subjects with benign macrocephaly. The control group also included subjects with a reading disability to insure cognitive heterogeneity. WM volume in autism was significantly larger, even when controlling for brain volume, rate of macrocephaly, and other demographic variables. Autism and controls differed little on whole-brain WM voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analyses suggesting that the overall increase in WM volume was non-localized. Autism subjects exhibited a differential pattern of IQ relationships with brain volumetry findings from controls. Current theories of brain overgrowth and their importance in the development of autism are discussed in the context of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin D Bigler
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA.
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30
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Departure from normality in multivariate normative comparison: The Cramér alternative for Hotelling's T2. Neuropsychologia 2010; 48:1510-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2009.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2008] [Revised: 10/27/2009] [Accepted: 11/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Brun CC, Nicolson R, Leporé N, Chou Y, Vidal CN, DeVito TJ, Drost DJ, Williamson PC, Rajakumar N, Toga AW, Thompson PM. Mapping brain abnormalities in boys with autism. Hum Brain Mapp 2009; 30:3887-900. [PMID: 19554561 PMCID: PMC2790012 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.20814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2008] [Revised: 02/02/2009] [Accepted: 04/02/2009] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit characteristic cognitive and behavioral differences, but no systematic pattern of neuroanatomical differences has been consistently found. Recent neurodevelopmental models posit an abnormal early surge in subcortical white matter growth in at least some autistic children, perhaps normalizing by adulthood, but other studies report subcortical white matter deficits. To investigate the profile of these alterations in 3D, we mapped brain volumetric differences using a relatively new method, tensor-based morphometry. 3D T1-weighted brain MRIs of 24 male children with ASD (age: 9.5 years +/- 3.2 SD) and 26 age-matched healthy controls (age: 10.3 +/- 2.4 SD) were fluidly registered to match a common anatomical template. Autistic children had significantly enlarged frontal lobes (by 3.6% on the left and 5.1% on the right), and all other lobes of the brain were enlarged significantly, or at trend level. By analyzing the applied deformations statistically point-by-point, we detected significant gray matter volume deficits in bilateral parietal, left temporal and left occipital lobes (P = 0.038, corrected), trend-level cerebral white matter volume excesses, and volume deficits in the cerebellar vermis, adjacent to volume excesses in other cerebellar regions. This profile of excesses and deficits in adjacent regions may (1) indicate impaired neuronal connectivity, resulting from aberrant myelination and/or an inflammatory process, and (2) help to understand inconsistent findings of regional brain tissue excesses and deficits in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline C. Brun
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Rob Nicolson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natasha Leporé
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Yi‐Yu Chou
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Christine N. Vidal
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Dick J. Drost
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter C. Williamson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nagalingam Rajakumar
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Arthur W. Toga
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Paul M. Thompson
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
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Frazier TW, Hardan AY. A meta-analysis of the corpus callosum in autism. Biol Psychiatry 2009; 66:935-41. [PMID: 19748080 PMCID: PMC2783565 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2009] [Revised: 07/15/2009] [Accepted: 07/19/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have reported reductions in corpus callosum (CC) total area and CC regions in individuals with autism. However, studies have differed concerning the magnitude and/or region contributing to CC reductions. The present study determined the significance and magnitude of reductions in CC total and regional area measures in autism. METHOD PubMed and PsycINFO databases were searched to identify MRI studies examining corpus callosum area in autism. Ten studies contributed data from 253 patients with autism (mean age = 14.58, SD = 6.00) and 250 healthy control subjects (mean age = 14.47, SD = 5.31). Of these 10 studies, 8 reported area measurements for corpus callosum regions (anterior, mid/body, and posterior), and 6 reported area for Witelson subdivisions. Meta-analytic procedures were used to quantify differences in total and region CC area measurements. RESULTS Total CC area was reduced in autism and the magnitude of the reduction was medium (weighted mean d = .48, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .30-.66). All regions showed reductions in size with the magnitude of the effect decreasing caudally (anterior d = .49, mid/body d = .43, posterior d = .37). Witelson subdivision 3 (rostral body) showed the largest effect, indicating greatest reduction in the region containing premotor/supplementary motor neurons. CONCLUSIONS Corpus callosum reductions are present in autism and support the aberrant connectivity hypothesis. Future diffusion tensor imaging studies examining specific fiber tracts connecting the hemispheres are needed to identify the cortical regions most affected by CC reductions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W. Frazier
- Center for Autism and Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health, Cleveland Clinic
| | - Antonio Y. Hardan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University
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Abstract
The era of ‘modern medicine’ has changed its name to ‘molecular medicine’, and reflects a new age based on personalized medicine utilizing molecular biomarkers in the diagnosis, staging and monitoring of therapy. Alzheimer’s disease has a classical biomarker determined at autopsy with the histologic staining of amyloid accumulation in the brain. Today we can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease using the same classical pathologic biomarker, but now using a noninvasive imaging probe to image the amyloid deposition in a patient and potentially provide treatment strategies and measure their effectiveness. Molecular medicine is the exploitation of biomarkers to detect disease before overt expression of pathology. Physicians can now find, fight and follow disease using imaging, and the need for other disease biomarkers is in high demand. This review will discuss the innovative physical and molecular biomarker probes now being developed for imaging systems and we will introduce the concepts needed for validation and regulatory acceptance of surrogate biomarkers in the detection and treatment of disease.
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Rapoport J, Chavez A, Greenstein D, Addington A, Gogtay N. Autism spectrum disorders and childhood-onset schizophrenia: clinical and biological contributions to a relation revisited. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2009; 48:10-8. [PMID: 19218893 PMCID: PMC2664646 DOI: 10.1097/chi.0b013e31818b1c63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 249] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To highlight emerging evidence for clinical and biological links between autism/pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) and schizophrenia, with particular attention to childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS). METHOD Clinical, demographic, and brain developmental data from the National Institute of Mental Health (and other) COS studies and selected family, imaging, and genetic data from studies of autism, PDD, and schizophrenia were reviewed. RESULTS In the two large studies that have examined this systematically, COS is preceded by and comorbid with PDD in 30% to 50% of cases. Epidemiological and family studies find association between the disorders. Both disorders have evidence of accelerated trajectories of anatomic brain development at ages near disorder onset. A growing number of risk genes and/or rare small chromosomal variants (microdeletions or duplications) are shared by schizophrenia and autism. CONCLUSIONS Biological risk does not closely follow DSM phenotypes, and core neurobiological processes are likely common for subsets of these two heterogeneous clinical groups. Long-term prospective follow-up of autistic populations and greater diagnostic distinction between schizophrenia spectrum and autism spectrum disorders in adult relatives are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Rapoport
- Child Psychiatry Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Di Martino A, Ross K, Uddin LQ, Sklar AB, Castellanos FX, Milham MP. Functional brain correlates of social and nonsocial processes in autism spectrum disorders: an activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis. Biol Psychiatry 2009; 65:63-74. [PMID: 18996505 PMCID: PMC2993772 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 388] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2008] [Revised: 09/22/2008] [Accepted: 09/23/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional neuroimaging studies of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have examined social and nonsocial paradigms, although rarely in the same study. Here, we provide an objective, unbiased survey of functional brain abnormalities in ASD, related to both social and nonsocial processing. METHODS We conducted two separate voxel-wise activation likelihood estimation meta-analyses of 39 functional neuroimaging studies consisting of 24 studies examining social processes (e.g., theory of mind, face perception) and 15 studies examining nonsocial processes (e.g., attention control, working memory). Voxel-wise significance threshold was p<.05, corrected by false discovery rate. RESULTS Compared with neurotypical control (NC) subjects, ASD showed greater likelihood of hypoactivation in two medial wall regions: perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in social tasks only and dorsal ACC in nonsocial studies. Further, right anterior insula, recently linked to social cognition, was more likely to be hypoactivated in ASD in the analyses of social studies. In nonsocial studies, group comparisons showed greater likelihood of activation for the ASD group in the rostral ACC region that is typically suppressed during attentionally demanding tasks. CONCLUSIONS Despite substantial heterogeneity of tasks, the rapidly increasing functional imaging literature showed ASD-related patterns of hypofunction and aberrant activation that depended on the specific cognitive domain, i.e., social versus nonsocial. These results provide a basis for targeted extensions of these findings with younger subjects and a range of paradigms, including analyses of default mode network regulation in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Di Martino
- Phyllis Green and Randolph Cowen Institute for Pediatric Neuroscience at the New York University (NYU) Child Study Center, New York, New York 10016, USA.
| | - Kathryn Ross
- Phyllis Green and Randolph Cōwen Institute for Pediatric Neuroscience at the NYU Child Study Center, New York, NY
| | - Lucina Q. Uddin
- Phyllis Green and Randolph Cōwen Institute for Pediatric Neuroscience at the NYU Child Study Center, New York, NY
| | - Andrew B. Sklar
- Phyllis Green and Randolph Cōwen Institute for Pediatric Neuroscience at the NYU Child Study Center, New York, NY
| | - F. Xavier Castellanos
- Phyllis Green and Randolph Cōwen Institute for Pediatric Neuroscience at the NYU Child Study Center, New York, NY, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY
| | - Michael P. Milham
- Phyllis Green and Randolph Cōwen Institute for Pediatric Neuroscience at the NYU Child Study Center, New York, NY
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Uddin LQ, Davies MS, Scott AA, Zaidel E, Bookheimer SY, Iacoboni M, Dapretto M. Neural basis of self and other representation in autism: an FMRI study of self-face recognition. PLoS One 2008; 3:e3526. [PMID: 18958161 PMCID: PMC2568959 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2008] [Accepted: 10/01/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by decreased interest and engagement in social interactions and by enhanced self-focus. While previous theoretical approaches to understanding autism have emphasized social impairments and altered interpersonal interactions, there is a recent shift towards understanding the nature of the representation of the self in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Still, the neural mechanisms subserving self-representations in ASD are relatively unexplored. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We used event-related fMRI to investigate brain responsiveness to images of the subjects' own face and to faces of others. Children with ASD and typically developing (TD) children viewed randomly presented digital morphs between their own face and a gender-matched other face, and made "self/other" judgments. Both groups of children activated a right premotor/prefrontal system when identifying images containing a greater percentage of the self face. However, while TD children showed activation of this system during both self- and other-processing, children with ASD only recruited this system while viewing images containing mostly their own face. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This functional dissociation between the representation of self versus others points to a potential neural substrate for the characteristic self-focus and decreased social understanding exhibited by these individuals, and suggests that individuals with ASD lack the shared neural representations for self and others that TD children and adults possess and may use to understand others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucina Q Uddin
- Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.
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37
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Abstract
AbstractAutism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and communication deficits, and repetitive behavior. Studies investigating the integrity of brain systems in autism suggest a wide range of gray and white matter abnormalities that are present early in life and change with development. These abnormalities predominantly affect association areas and undermine functional integration. Executive function, which has a protracted development into adolescence and reflects the integration of complex widely distributed brain function, is also affected in autism. Evidence from studies probing response inhibition and working memory indicate impairments in these core components of executive function, as well as compensatory mechanisms that permit normative function in autism. Studies also demonstrate age-related improvements in executive function from childhood to adolescence in autism, indicating the presence of plasticity and suggesting a prolonged window for effective treatment. Despite developmental gains, mature executive functioning is limited in autism, reflecting abnormalities in wide-spread brain networks that may lead to impaired processing of complex information across all domains.
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Minshew NJ, Hobson JA. Sensory sensitivities and performance on sensory perceptual tasks in high-functioning individuals with autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2008; 38:1485-98. [PMID: 18302014 PMCID: PMC3077539 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-007-0528-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2007] [Accepted: 12/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Most reports of sensory symptoms in autism are second hand or observational, and there is little evidence of a neurological basis. Sixty individuals with high-functioning autism and 61 matched typical participants were administered a sensory questionnaire and neuropsychological tests of elementary and higher cortical sensory perception. Thirty-two percent of autism participants endorsed more sensory sensitivity items than any control participants. Both groups made few errors on elementary sensory perception items. Controls made few errors on higher cortical sensory perception items, but 30% of the autism participants made high numbers of errors. These findings support the common occurrence of sensory symptoms in high functioning autism based on first person report, and the presence of neurological abnormalities in higher cortical sensory perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy J Minshew
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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