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de Medeiros Marcos GVT, Feitosa DDM, Paiva KM, Oliveira RF, da Rocha GS, de Medeiros Guerra LM, de Araújo DP, Goes HM, Costa S, de Oliveira LC, Guzen FP, de Souza Júnior JE, de Moura Freire MA, de Aquino ACQ, de Gois Morais PLA, de Paiva Cavalcanti JRL. Volumetric alterations in the basal ganglia in autism Spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Int J Dev Neurosci 2024; 84:163-176. [PMID: 38488315 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent research indicates that some brain structures show alterations in conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Among them, are the basal ganglia that are involved in motor, cognitive and behavioral neural circuits. OBJECTIVE Review the literature that describes possible volumetric alterations in the basal ganglia of individuals with ASD and the impacts that these changes have on the severity of the condition. METHODOLOGY This systematic review was registered in the design and reported according to the PRISMA Items and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023394787). The study analyzed data from published clinical, case-contemplate, and cohort trials. The following databases were consulted: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, using the Medical Subject Titles (MeSH) "Autism Spectrum Disorder" and "Basal Ganglia". The last search was carried out on February 28, 2023. RESULTS Thirty-five eligible articles were collected, analyzed, and grouped according to the levels of alterations. CONCLUSION The present study showed important volumetric alterations in the basal ganglia in ASD. However, the examined studies have methodological weaknesses that do not allow generalization and correlation with ASD manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Karina Maia Paiva
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Department of Health Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Freire Oliveira
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Department of Health Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Sousa da Rocha
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Department of Health Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Luís Marcos de Medeiros Guerra
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Department of Health Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Dayane Pessoa de Araújo
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Department of Health Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | | | - Silva Costa
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Department of Health Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Lucidio Clebeson de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Department of Health Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Fausto Pierdoná Guzen
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Department of Health Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - José Edvan de Souza Júnior
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Department of Health Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Marco Aurélio de Moura Freire
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Department of Health Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Antonio Carlos Queiroz de Aquino
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Department of Health Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
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Ortug A, Guo Y, Feldman HA, Ou Y, Warren JLA, Dieuveuil H, Baumer NT, Faja SK, Takahashi E. Autism-associated brain differences can be observed in utero using MRI. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae117. [PMID: 38602735 PMCID: PMC11008691 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Developmental changes that occur before birth are thought to be associated with the development of autism spectrum disorders. Identifying anatomical predictors of early brain development may contribute to our understanding of the neurobiology of autism spectrum disorders and allow for earlier and more effective identification and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. In this study, we used retrospective clinical brain magnetic resonance imaging data from fetuses who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders later in life (prospective autism spectrum disorders) in order to identify the earliest magnetic resonance imaging-based regional volumetric biomarkers. Our results showed that magnetic resonance imaging-based autism spectrum disorder biomarkers can be found as early as in the fetal period and suggested that the increased volume of the insular cortex may be the most promising magnetic resonance imaging-based fetal biomarker for the future emergence of autism spectrum disorders, along with some additional, potentially useful changes in regional volumes and hemispheric asymmetries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alpen Ortug
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, United States
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Yurui Guo
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Henry A Feldman
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Yangming Ou
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Jose Luis Alatorre Warren
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, United States
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Harrison Dieuveuil
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Nicole T Baumer
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Susan K Faja
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Brookline, MA 02115, United States
| | - Emi Takahashi
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, United States
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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Zhou D, Liu Z, Gong G, Zhang Y, Lin L, Cai K, Xu H, Cong F, Li H, Chen A. Decreased Functional and Structural Connectivity is Associated with Core Symptom Improvement in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder After Mini-basketball Training Program. J Autism Dev Disord 2023:10.1007/s10803-023-06160-x. [PMID: 37882897 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06160-x] [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] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Exercise intervention has been proven helpful to ameliorate core symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we carried out a 12-week mini-basketball training program (MBTP) on ASD children and examined the changes of brain functional and structural networks before and after exercise intervention. We applied individual-based method to construct functional network and structural morphological network, and investigated their alterations following MBTP as well as their associations with the change in core symptom. Structural MRI and resting-state functional MRI data were obtained from 58 ASD children aged 3-12 years (experiment group: n = 32, control group: n = 26). ASD children who received MBTP intervention showed several distinguishable alternations compared to the control without special intervention. These included decreased functional connectivity within the sensorimotor network (SM) and between SM and the salience network, decreased morphological connectivity strength in a cortical-cortical network centered on the left inferior temporal gyrus, and a subcortical-cortical network centered on the left caudate. Particularly, the aforementioned functional and structural changes induced by MBTP were associated with core symptoms of ASD. Our findings suggested that MBTP intervention could be an effective approach to improve core symptoms in ASD children, decrease connectivity in both structure and function networks, and may drive the brain change towards normal-like neuroanatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyue Zhou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Zhimei Liu
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Guanyu Gong
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, China
| | - Yunge Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Lin Lin
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Kelong Cai
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Huashuai Xu
- Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Fengyu Cong
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
- Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Circuit and Biomedical Electronic System, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Huanjie Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Circuit and Biomedical Electronic System, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China.
| | - Aiguo Chen
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Integration of Sport and Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
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Gurlek Celik N, Tiryaki S. Changes in the volumes and asymmetry of subcortical structures in healthy individuals according to gender. Anat Sci Int 2023:10.1007/s12565-023-00714-w. [PMID: 36947348 DOI: 10.1007/s12565-023-00714-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, with the development of technology, three-dimensional software has entered our lives. Volumetric measurements made with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are essential in the morphometry of the brain and subcortical structures. In this study, we aim to share the volume and asymmetry of the hippocampus, its sub-branches, and other subcortical structures and their interaction with age/sex using volBrain, a web-based automated software.1.5 T T1-weighted volumetric MRI, of 90 healthy individuals (51 females, 39 males) of both genders were included in our study. Pallidum, hippocampus, Cornu Ammonis1 (CA1), Cornu Ammonis2-3 (CA2-CA3), and Cornu Ammonis4-Dentate Gyrus (CA4-DG) measurements in females and males had a statistically higher mean in the right region (p < 0.05). In addition, females' hippocampus, CA1, CA2-CA3, and CA4-DG averages decreased more rapidly in the right region than in the left region. Subiculum measurement had a higher mean in the left region in both males and females (p < 0.05).The mean subiculum of males decreased more rapidly in the right region than in the left region. When the total values of the subcortical region in males and females were compared according to age categories, amygdala, pallidum, putamen, hippocampus, CA2-CA3, and subiculum values did not differ to gender in individuals aged 50 and over (p > 0.05). In individuals under 50 years old, the mean of females was statistically lower than the mean of males (p < 0.05).The Stratum radiatum (SR), Stratum lacunosum (SL), and Stratum molecuare (SM) asymmetry values of males in the examined subcortical regions had a higher mean than females (p = 0.039). In other regions, there was no statistically asymmetrical difference (p > 0.05). Studies evaluating the volumetric analysis and asymmetry of hippocampus subbranches and other subcortical structures in adults are very limited. As a result, the morphometry of the hippocampus subbranches and other subcortical structures was examined in detail. It was determined that the structures differed according to age, gender and body side.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nihal Gurlek Celik
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Amasya University, 05100, Amasya, Turkey.
| | - Saban Tiryaki
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kirsehir Ahi Evran University, 40100, Kirsehir, Turkey
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Kisaretova P, Tsybko A, Bondar N, Reshetnikov V. Molecular Abnormalities in BTBR Mice and Their Relevance to Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview of Transcriptomic and Proteomic Studies. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020289. [PMID: 36830826 PMCID: PMC9953015 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal models of psychopathologies are of exceptional interest for neurobiologists because these models allow us to clarify molecular mechanisms underlying the pathologies. One such model is the inbred BTBR strain of mice, which is characterized by behavioral, neuroanatomical, and physiological hallmarks of schizophrenia (SCZ) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Despite the active use of BTBR mice as a model object, the understanding of the molecular features of this strain that cause the observed behavioral phenotype remains insufficient. Here, we analyzed recently published data from independent transcriptomic and proteomic studies on hippocampal and corticostriatal samples from BTBR mice to search for the most consistent aberrations in gene or protein expression. Next, we compared reproducible molecular signatures of BTBR mice with data on postmortem samples from ASD and SCZ patients. Taken together, these data helped us to elucidate brain-region-specific molecular abnormalities in BTBR mice as well as their relevance to the anomalies seen in ASDs or SCZ in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina Kisaretova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova Street 2, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Anton Tsybko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Natalia Bondar
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Vasiliy Reshetnikov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 1 Olympic Avenue, Sochi 354340, Russia
- Correspondence:
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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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7
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Yarger HA, Nordahl CW, Redcay E. Examining Associations Between Amygdala Volumes and Anxiety Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2022; 7:916-924. [PMID: 34688922 PMCID: PMC9021331 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety is one of the most common co-occurring conditions in people with autism spectrum disorder. The amygdala has been identified as being associated with anxiety in populations with and without autism, yet associations in autism were based on relatively small or developmentally constrained samples, leaving questions as to whether these results hold at different developmental ages and in a larger, more robust sample. METHODS Structural neuroimaging and parent report of anxiety symptoms of children ages 5-13 years with (n = 123) and without (n = 171) a diagnosis of autism were collected from the University of Maryland and three sites from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange. Standardized residuals for bilateral amygdala volumes were computed adjusting for site, hemispheric volumes, and covariates (age, sex, Full Scale IQ). RESULTS Clinically significant anxiety symptoms did not differentiate amygdala volumes between groups (i.e., autism and anxiety, autism without anxiety, without autism or anxiety). No significant association between left or right amygdala volumes and anxiety scores was observed among the sample of individuals with autism. Meta-analytic and Bayes factor estimations provided additional support for the null hypothesis. Age, sex, and autism severity did not moderate associations between anxiety and amygdala volumes. CONCLUSIONS No relation between amygdala volumes and anxiety symptoms in children with autism was observed in the largest sample to investigate this question. We discuss directions for future research to determine whether additional factors including age or method of assessment may contribute to this lack of association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather A Yarger
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, College Park, Maryland.
| | - Christine Wu Nordahl
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis MIND Institute, Sacramento, California
| | - Elizabeth Redcay
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, College Park, Maryland
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8
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Nibbio G, Barlati S, Calzavara-Pinton I, Necchini N, Invernizzi E, Dell'Ovo D, Lisoni J, Deste G, Vita A. Assessment and correlates of autistic symptoms in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders measured with the PANSS Autism Severity Score: A systematic review. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:934005. [PMID: 36111306 PMCID: PMC9468543 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.934005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are considered separate entities, but the two spectra share important similarities, and the study of these areas of overlap represents a field of growing scientific interest. The PANSS Autism Score (PAUSS) was recently developed specifically to assess autistic symptoms in people living with SSD reliably and quickly. The aims of the present systematic review were to provide a comprehensive assessment of the use of the PAUSS scale in available literature and to systematically analyze cognitive, functional and neurobiological correlates of autistic symptoms measured with this instrument in SSD. The systematic literature search included three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus and PsycINFO) as well as a manual search in Google Scholar and in reference lists of included papers. Screening and extraction were conducted by at least two independent reviewers. Out of 213 identified records, 22 articles referring to 15 original studies were included in the systematic review. Studies were conducted in several different countries by independent groups, showing consistent scientific interest in the use of the scale; most works focused on cognitive and functional correlates of ASD symptoms, but some also considered neurobiological features. Results of included studies showed that autistic symptoms in people with SSD are consistently associated with worse cognitive performance, especially in the social cognition domain, and with worse psychosocial functioning. However, the presence of autistic symptoms appears to also have a protective role, particularly on functioning, in subjects with more severe psychotic symptoms. Further exploring the impact of autistic symptoms could be of significant scientific and clinical interest, allowing the development of tailored interventions to improve treatment for people living with SSDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Nibbio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Barlati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Necchini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elena Invernizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Dario Dell'Ovo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Jacopo Lisoni
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Deste
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Vita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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9
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Duan X, Wang R, Xiao J, Li Y, Huang X, Guo X, Cao J, He L, He C, Ling Z, Shan X, Chen H, Kang X, Chen H. Subcortical structural covariance in young children with autism spectrum disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 99:109874. [PMID: 31981719 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.109874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Abnormalities in the structure of subcortical regions are central to numerous behaviors affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and these regions may undergo atypical coordinated neurodevelopment. However, relatively little is known about morphological correlations among subcortical structures in young children with ASD. In this study, using volumetric-based methodology and structural covariance approach, we investigated structural covariance of subcortical brain volume in 40 young children with ASD (<7.5 years old) and 38 age-, gender-, and handedness-matched typically developing (TD) children. Results showed that compared with TD children, children with ASD exhibited decreased structural covariation between the left and right cerebral hemispheres, specifically between the left and right thalami, right globus pallidus and left nucleus accumbens, and left globus pallidus and right nucleus accumbens. Compared with TD children, children with ASD exhibited increased structural covariation between adjacent regions, such as between the right globus pallidus and right putamen. Additionally, abnormalities in subcortical structural covariance can predict social communication and repetitive and stereotypic behavior in young children with ASD. Overall, these results suggest decreased long-range structural covariation and enhanced local covariation in subcortical structures in children with ASD, highlighting aberrant developmental coordination or synchronized maturation between subcortical regions that play crucial roles in social cognition and behavior in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xujun Duan
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Runshi Wang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Jinming Xiao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Ya Li
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Xinyue Huang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Xiaonan Guo
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Jing Cao
- Affiliated Sichuan Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, Sichuan Bayi Rehabilitation Center, Chengdu 611135, China
| | - Liyao He
- Affiliated Sichuan Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, Sichuan Bayi Rehabilitation Center, Chengdu 611135, China
| | - Changchun He
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Zihan Ling
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Xiaolong Shan
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Heng Chen
- Medical College of Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, PR China
| | - Xiaodong Kang
- Affiliated Sichuan Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, Sichuan Bayi Rehabilitation Center, Chengdu 611135, China.
| | - Huafu Chen
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China.
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Tengeler AC, Dam SA, Wiesmann M, Naaijen J, van Bodegom M, Belzer C, Dederen PJ, Verweij V, Franke B, Kozicz T, Arias Vasquez A, Kiliaan AJ. Gut microbiota from persons with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder affects the brain in mice. MICROBIOME 2020; 8:44. [PMID: 32238191 PMCID: PMC7114819 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-020-00816-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of the gut microbiota on host physiology and behavior has been relatively well established. Whether changes in microbial composition affect brain structure and function is largely elusive, however. This is important as altered brain structure and function have been implicated in various neurodevelopmental disorders, like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We hypothesized that gut microbiota of persons with and without ADHD, when transplanted into mice, would differentially modify brain function and/or structure. We investigated this by colonizing young, male, germ-free C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice with microbiota from individuals with and without ADHD. We generated and analyzed microbiome data, assessed brain structure and function by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and studied mouse behavior in a behavioral test battery. RESULTS Principal coordinate analysis showed a clear separation of fecal microbiota of mice colonized with ADHD and control microbiota. With diffusion tensor imaging, we observed a decreased structural integrity of both white and gray matter regions (i.e., internal capsule, hippocampus) in mice that were colonized with ADHD microbiota. We also found significant correlations between white matter integrity and the differentially expressed microbiota. Mice colonized with ADHD microbiota additionally showed decreased resting-state functional MRI-based connectivity between right motor and right visual cortices. These regions, as well as the hippocampus and internal capsule, have previously been reported to be altered in several neurodevelopmental disorders. Furthermore, we also show that mice colonized with ADHD microbiota were more anxious in the open-field test. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, we demonstrate that altered microbial composition could be a driver of altered brain structure and function and concomitant changes in the animals' behavior. These findings may help to understand the mechanisms through which the gut microbiota contributes to the pathobiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anouk C Tengeler
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour, Preclinical Imaging Centre PRIME, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein noord 21, 6525 EZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sarita A Dam
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 EN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maximilian Wiesmann
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour, Preclinical Imaging Centre PRIME, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein noord 21, 6525 EZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jilly Naaijen
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 EN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 EN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Miranda van Bodegom
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour, Preclinical Imaging Centre PRIME, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein noord 21, 6525 EZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Clara Belzer
- Dept. Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen UR (University & Research), 6708WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter J Dederen
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour, Preclinical Imaging Centre PRIME, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein noord 21, 6525 EZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Vivienne Verweij
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour, Preclinical Imaging Centre PRIME, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein noord 21, 6525 EZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara Franke
- Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tamas Kozicz
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour, Preclinical Imaging Centre PRIME, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein noord 21, 6525 EZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55902, USA
| | - Alejandro Arias Vasquez
- Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Amanda J Kiliaan
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour, Preclinical Imaging Centre PRIME, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein noord 21, 6525 EZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Barlati S, Minelli A, Ceraso A, Nibbio G, Carvalho Silva R, Deste G, Turrina C, Vita A. Social Cognition in a Research Domain Criteria Perspective: A Bridge Between Schizophrenia and Autism Spectra Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:806. [PMID: 33005149 PMCID: PMC7485015 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia and autism spectra disorders are currently conceptualized as distinct clinical categories. However, the relationship between these two nosological entities has been revisited in recent years due to the evidence that they share some important clinical and neurobiological features, putting into question the nature and the extent of their commonalities and differences. In this respect, some core symptoms that are present in both disorders, such as social cognitive deficits, could be a primary target of investigation. This review briefly summarizes the commonalities and overlapping features between schizophrenia and autism spectra disorders in social cognitive functions, considering this construct in a Research Domain Criteria perspective. The clinical manifestation of deficits in social cognition are similar in schizophrenia spectrum disorders and autism spectrum disorders, and brain areas that appear to be altered in relation to these impairments are largely shared; however, the results of various studies suggest that, in some cases, the qualitative nature of these alterations may be different in the two spectra. Moreover, relevant differences could be present at the level of brain networks and connections. More research is required in this field, regarding molecular and genetic aspects of both spectra, to better define the neurobiological mechanisms involved in social cognition deficits, with the objective of developing specific and targeted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Barlati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Minelli
- Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Anna Ceraso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Gabriele Nibbio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Rosana Carvalho Silva
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Deste
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Cesare Turrina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Vita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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