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Shao W, Su Y, Liu J, Liu Y, Zhao J, Fan X. Understanding the link between different types of maternal diabetes and the onset of autism spectrum disorders. DIABETES & METABOLISM 2024; 50:101543. [PMID: 38761920 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabet.2024.101543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) encompass a collection of neurodevelopmental disorders that exhibit impaired social interactions and repetitive stereotypic behaviors. Although the exact cause of these disorders remains unknown, it is widely accepted that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to their onset and progression. Recent studies have highlighted the potential negative impact of maternal diabetes on embryonic neurodevelopment, suggesting that intrauterine hyperglycemia could pose an additional risk to early brain development and contribute to the development of ASD. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the current research on the relationship between various forms of maternal diabetes, such as type 1 diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and gestational diabetes mellitus, and the likelihood of ASD in offspring. The study elucidates the potential mechanisms through which maternal hyperglycemia affects fetal development, involving metabolic hormones, immune dysregulation, heightened oxidative stress, and epigenetic alterations. The findings of this review offer valuable insights for potential preventive measures and evidence-based interventions targeting ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyu Shao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yichun Su
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jiayin Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yulong Liu
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jinghui Zhao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China.
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
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Hsu TT, Huang TN, Wang CY, Hsueh YP. Deep brain stimulation of the Tbr1-deficient mouse model of autism spectrum disorder at the basolateral amygdala alters amygdalar connectivity, whole-brain synchronization, and social behaviors. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002646. [PMID: 39012916 PMCID: PMC11280143 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are considered neural dysconnectivity syndromes. To better understand ASD and uncover potential treatments, it is imperative to know and dissect the connectivity deficits under conditions of autism. Here, we apply a whole-brain immunostaining and quantification platform to demonstrate impaired structural and functional connectivity and aberrant whole-brain synchronization in a Tbr1+/- autism mouse model. We express a channelrhodopsin variant oChIEF fused with Citrine at the basolateral amygdala (BLA) to outline the axonal projections of BLA neurons. By activating the BLA under blue light theta-burst stimulation (TBS), we then evaluate the effect of BLA activation on C-FOS expression at a whole brain level to represent neural activity. We show that Tbr1 haploinsufficiency almost completely disrupts contralateral BLA axonal projections and results in mistargeting in both ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres, thereby globally altering BLA functional connectivity. Based on correlated C-FOS expression among brain regions, we further show that Tbr1 deficiency severely disrupts whole-brain synchronization in the absence of salient stimulation. Tbr1+/- and wild-type (WT) mice exhibit opposing responses to TBS-induced amygdalar activation, reducing synchronization in WT mice but enhancing it in Tbr1+/- mice. Whole-brain modular organization and intermodule connectivity are also affected by Tbr1 deficiency and amygdalar activation. Following BLA activation by TBS, the synchronizations of the whole brain and the default mode network, a specific subnetwork highly relevant to ASD, are enhanced in Tbr1+/- mice, implying a potential ameliorating effect of amygdalar stimulation on brain function. Indeed, TBS-mediated BLA activation increases nose-to-nose social interactions of Tbr1+/- mice, strengthening evidence for the role of amygdalar connectivity in social behaviors. Our high-resolution analytical platform reveals the inter- and intrahemispheric connectopathies arising from ASD. Our study emphasizes the defective synchronization at a whole-brain scale caused by Tbr1 deficiency and implies a potential beneficial effect of deep brain stimulation at the amygdala for TBR1-linked autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsan-Ting Hsu
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Tzyy-Nan Huang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chien-Yao Wang
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yi-Ping Hsueh
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Wang L, Qin Y, Yang S, Jin D, Zhu Y, Li X, Li W, Wang Y, Jin C. Posterior default mode network is associated with the social performance in male children with autism spectrum disorder: A dynamic causal modeling analysis based on triple-network model. Hum Brain Mapp 2024; 45:e26750. [PMID: 38853710 PMCID: PMC11163228 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26750] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The triple-network model has been widely applied in neuropsychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the mechanism of causal regulations within the triple-network and their relations with symptoms of ASD remains unclear. 81 male ASD and 80 well matched typically developing control (TDC) were included in this study, recruited from Autism Brain Image Data Exchange-I datasets. Spatial reference-based independent component analysis was used to identify the anterior and posterior part of default-mode network (aDMN and pDMN), salience network (SN), and bilateral executive-control network (ECN) from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data. Spectral dynamic causal model and parametric empirical Bayes with Bayesian model reduction/average were adopted to explore the effective connectivity (EC) within triple-network and the relationship between EC and autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS) scores. After adjusting for age and site effect, ASD and TDC groups both showed inhibition patterns. Compared with TDC, ASD group showed weaker self-inhibition in aDMN and pDMN, stronger inhibition in pDMN→aDMN, weaker inhibition in aDMN→LECN, pDMN→SN, LECN→SN, and LECN→RECN. Furthermore, negative relationships between ADOS scores and pDMN self-inhibition strength, as well as with the EC of pDMN→aDMN were observed in ASD group. The present study reveals imbalanced effective connections within triple-networks in ASD children. More attentions should be focused at the pDMN, which modulates the core symptoms of ASD and may serve as an important region for ASD diagnosis and the target region for ASD treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anChina
- Department of RadiologyXi'an Daxing HospitalXi'anChina
| | - Yue Qin
- Department of RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anChina
- Department of RadiologyXi'an Daxing HospitalXi'anChina
| | - Shuhan Yang
- Department of Disease Control and PreventionNinth Hospital of Xi'anXi'anChina
| | - Dayong Jin
- Department of RadiologyXi'an Daxing HospitalXi'anChina
| | - Yinhu Zhu
- Department of RadiologyXi'an Daxing HospitalXi'anChina
| | - Xin Li
- Department of RadiologyXi'an Daxing HospitalXi'anChina
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Radiology, Tangdu HospitalAir Force Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Yarong Wang
- Department of RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Chenwang Jin
- Department of RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anChina
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Peterson M, Prigge MBD, Floris DL, Bigler ED, Zielinski BA, King JB, Lange N, Alexander AL, Lainhart JE, Nielsen JA. Reduced lateralization of multiple functional brain networks in autistic males. J Neurodev Disord 2024; 16:23. [PMID: 38720286 PMCID: PMC11077748 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-024-09529-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder has been linked to a variety of organizational and developmental deviations in the brain. One such organizational difference involves hemispheric lateralization, which may be localized to language-relevant regions of the brain or distributed more broadly. METHODS In the present study, we estimated brain hemispheric lateralization in autism based on each participant's unique functional neuroanatomy rather than relying on group-averaged data. Additionally, we explored potential relationships between the lateralization of the language network and behavioral phenotypes including verbal ability, language delay, and autism symptom severity. We hypothesized that differences in hemispheric asymmetries in autism would be limited to the language network, with the alternative hypothesis of pervasive differences in lateralization. We tested this and other hypotheses by employing a cross-sectional dataset of 118 individuals (48 autistic, 70 neurotypical). Using resting-state fMRI, we generated individual network parcellations and estimated network asymmetries using a surface area-based approach. A series of multiple regressions were then used to compare network asymmetries for eight significantly lateralized networks between groups. RESULTS We found significant group differences in lateralization for the left-lateralized Language (d = -0.89), right-lateralized Salience/Ventral Attention-A (d = 0.55), and right-lateralized Control-B (d = 0.51) networks, with the direction of these group differences indicating less asymmetry in autistic males. These differences were robust across different datasets from the same participants. Furthermore, we found that language delay stratified language lateralization, with the greatest group differences in language lateralization occurring between autistic males with language delay and neurotypical individuals. CONCLUSIONS These findings evidence a complex pattern of functional lateralization differences in autism, extending beyond the Language network to the Salience/Ventral Attention-A and Control-B networks, yet not encompassing all networks, indicating a selective divergence rather than a pervasive one. Moreover, we observed an association between Language network lateralization and language delay in autistic males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline Peterson
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 1070 KMBL, 84602, USA
| | - Molly B D Prigge
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Dorothea L Floris
- Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Erin D Bigler
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 1070 KMBL, 84602, USA
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84604, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Brandon A Zielinski
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology, and Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Florida, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Jace B King
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
| | - Nicholas Lange
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Andrew L Alexander
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53719, USA
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Janet E Lainhart
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53719, USA
| | - Jared A Nielsen
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 1070 KMBL, 84602, USA.
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84604, USA.
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Du L, Ye F, Gao W, Yang A, Luan J, Xu M, Lv K, Hu P, Liu B, Yu H, Wang Y, Huang W, Shu N, Ouyang G, Yin Q, Shmuel A, Wang Y, Zhang Q, Xu P, Ma G. Decreased brain iron deposition based on quantitative susceptibility mapping correlates with reduced neurodevelopmental status in children with autism spectrum disorder. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:63-71. [PMID: 38696609 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae081] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
To investigate potential correlations between the susceptibility values of certain brain regions and the severity of disease or neurodevelopmental status in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 18 ASD children and 15 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. The neurodevelopmental status was assessed by the Gesell Developmental Schedules (GDS) and the severity of the disease was evaluated by the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). Eleven brain regions were selected as regions of interest and the susceptibility values were measured by quantitative susceptibility mapping. To evaluate the diagnostic capacity of susceptibility values in distinguishing ASD and HC, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was computed. Pearson and Spearman partial correlation analysis were used to depict the correlations between the susceptibility values, the ABC scores, and the GDS scores in the ASD group. ROC curves showed that the susceptibility values of the left and right frontal white matter had a larger area under the curve in the ASD group. The susceptibility value of the right globus pallidus was positively correlated with the GDS-fine motor scale score. These findings indicated that the susceptibility value of the right globus pallidus might be a viable imaging biomarker for evaluating the neurodevelopmental status of ASD children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Du
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
- Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Fang Ye
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Wenwen Gao
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
- Department of Radiology, the Sixth Medical Center of People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, No. 6 Fucheng Road, Haidian, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Aocai Yang
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jixin Luan
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Manxi Xu
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Kuan Lv
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Pianpian Hu
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Hongwei Yu
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yuli Wang
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Weijie Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Road, Haidian, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Ni Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Road, Haidian, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Gaoxiang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Road, Haidian, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Qian Yin
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Beijing Normal University, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Road, Haidian, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Amir Shmuel
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 45 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Physiology, and Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, 45 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yunfeng Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Guolin Ma
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
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Perkovich E, Laakman A, Mire S, Yoshida H. Conducting head-mounted eye-tracking research with young children with autism and children with increased likelihood of later autism diagnosis. J Neurodev Disord 2024; 16:7. [PMID: 38438975 PMCID: PMC10910727 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-024-09524-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the past years, researchers have been using head-mounted eye-tracking systems to study young children's gaze behaviors in everyday activities through which children learn about the world. This method has great potential to further our understanding of how millisecond-level gaze behaviors create multisensory experiences and fluctuate around social environments. While this line of work can yield insight into early perceptual experiences and potential learning mechanisms, the majority of the work is exclusively conducted with typically-developing children. Sensory sensitivities, social-communication difficulties, and challenging behaviors (e.g., disruption, elopement) are common among children with developmental disorders, and they may represent potential methodological challenges for collecting high-quality data. RESULTS In this paper, we describe our research practices of using head-mounted eye trackers with 41 autistic children and 17 children with increased likelihood of later autism diagnosis without auditory or visual impairments, including those who are minimally or nonspeaking and/or have intellectual disabilities. The success rate in gathering data among children with autism was 92.68%. 3 of 41 children failed to complete the play-session, resulting in an 86.36% success rate among 1-4-year-olds and a 100.00% success rate among 5-8-year-olds. 1 of 17 children with increased likelihood of later autism diagnosis failed to complete the play-session, resulting in a success rate of 94.11%. There were numerous "challenging" behaviors relevant to the method. The most common challenging behaviors included taking the eye-tracking device off, elopement, and becoming distressed. Overall, among children with autism, 88.8% of 1-4-year-olds and 29.4% of 5-8-year-olds exhibited at least one challenging behavior. CONCLUSIONS Research capitalizing on this methodology has the potential to reveal early, socially-mediated gaze behaviors that are relevant for autism screening, diagnosis, and intervention purposes. We hope that our efforts in documenting our study methodology will help researchers and clinicians effectively study early naturally-occuring gaze behaviors of children during non-experimental contexts across the spectrum and other developmental disabilities using head-mounted eye-tracking. Ultimately, such applications may increase the generalizability of results, better reflect the diversity of individual characteristics, and offer new ways in which this method can contribute to the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A Laakman
- University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - S Mire
- Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - H Yoshida
- University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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Shang J, Shen E, Yu Y, Jin A, Wang X, Xiang D. Relationship between abnormal intrinsic functional connectivity of subcortices and autism symptoms in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2024; 337:111762. [PMID: 38043369 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study explores subcortices and their intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) adults and investigates their relationship with clinical severity. METHODS Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were acquired from 74 ASD patients, and 63 gender and age-matched typically developing (TD) adults. Independent component analysis (ICA) was conducted to evaluate subcortical patterns of basal ganglia (BG) and thalamus. These two brain areas were treated as regions of interest to further calculate whole-brain FC. In addition, we employed multivariate machine learning to identify subcortices-based FC brain patterns and clinical scores to classify ASD adults from those TD subjects. RESULTS In ASD individuals, autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS) was negatively correlated with the BG network. Similarly, social responsiveness scale (SRS) was negatively correlated with the thalamus network. The BG-based iFC analysis revealed adults with ASD versus TD had lower FC, and its FC with the right medial temporal lobe (MTL), was positively correlated with SRS and ADOS separately. ASD could be predicted with a balanced accuracy of around 60.0 % using brain patterns and 84.7 % using clinical variables. CONCLUSION Our results revealed the abnormal subcortical iFC may be related to autism symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Shang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Erwei Shen
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Aiying Jin
- Department of Nursing, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xuemei Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Dehui Xiang
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Peterson M, Prigge MBD, Floris DL, Bigler ED, Zielinski B, King JB, Lange N, Alexander AL, Lainhart JE, Nielsen JA. Reduced Lateralization of Multiple Functional Brain Networks in Autistic Males. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.15.571928. [PMID: 38187671 PMCID: PMC10769214 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.15.571928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder has been linked to a variety of organizational and developmental deviations in the brain. One such organizational difference involves hemispheric lateralization, which may be localized to language-relevant regions of the brain or distributed more broadly. Methods In the present study, we estimated brain hemispheric lateralization in autism based on each participant's unique functional neuroanatomy rather than relying on group-averaged data. Additionally, we explored potential relationships between the lateralization of the language network and behavioral phenotypes including verbal ability, language delay, and autism symptom severity. We hypothesized that differences in hemispheric asymmetries in autism would be limited to the language network, with the alternative hypothesis of pervasive differences in lateralization. We tested this and other hypotheses by employing a cross-sectional dataset of 118 individuals (48 autistic, 70 neurotypical). Using resting-state fMRI, we generated individual network parcellations and estimated network asymmetries using a surface area-based approach. A series of multiple regressions were then used to compare network asymmetries for eight significantly lateralized networks between groups. Results We found significant group differences in lateralization for the left-lateralized Language (d = -0.89), right-lateralized Salience/Ventral Attention-A (d = 0.55), and right-lateralized Control-B (d = 0.51) networks, with the direction of these group differences indicating less asymmetry in autistic individuals. These differences were robust across different datasets from the same participants. Furthermore, we found that language delay stratified language lateralization, with the greatest group differences in language lateralization occurring between autistic individuals with language delay and neurotypical individuals. Limitations The generalizability of our findings is restricted due to the male-only sample and greater representation of individuals with high verbal and cognitive performance. Conclusions These findings evidence a complex pattern of functional lateralization differences in autism, extending beyond the Language network to the Salience/Ventral Attention-A and Control-B networks, yet not encompassing all networks, indicating a selective divergence rather than a pervasive one. Furthermore, a differential relationship was identified between Language network lateralization and specific symptom profiles (namely, language delay) of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline Peterson
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Molly B. D. Prigge
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Dorothea L. Floris
- Methods of Plasticity Research, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Erin D. Bigler
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84604, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Brandon Zielinski
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology, and Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, FL, 32610, United States
| | - Jace B. King
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
| | - Nicholas Lange
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Andrew L. Alexander
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53719, USA
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Janet E. Lainhart
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53719, USA
| | - Jared A. Nielsen
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84604, USA
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Stogiannos N, Pavlopoulou G, Papadopoulos C, Walsh G, Potts B, Moqbel S, Gkaravella A, McNulty J, Simcock C, Gaigg S, Bowler D, Marais K, Cleaver K, Lloyd JH, Dos Reis CS, Malamateniou C. Strategies to improve the magnetic resonance imaging experience for autistic individuals: a cross-sectional study exploring parents and carers' experiences. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1375. [PMID: 38062422 PMCID: PMC10704820 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10333-w] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autistic individuals encounter numerous barriers in accessing healthcare, including communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and a lack of appropriate adjustments. These issues are particularly acute during MRI scans, which involve confined spaces, loud noises, and the necessity to remain still. There remains no unified approach to preparing autistic individuals for MRI procedures. METHODS A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with parents and carers of autistic individuals in the UK to explore their experiences, barriers, and recommendations concerning MRI scans. The survey collected demographic information and experiential accounts of previous MRI procedures. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while key themes were identified within the qualitative data through inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Sixteen parents/carers participated. The majority reported difficulties with communication, inadequate pre-scan preparation, and insufficient adjustments during MRI scans for their autistic children. Key barriers included an overwhelming sensory environment, radiographers' limited understanding of autism, and anxiety stemming from uncertainties about the procedure. Recommended improvements encompassed accessible communication, pre-visit familiarisation, noise-reduction and sensory adaptations, staff training on autism, and greater flexibility to meet individual needs. CONCLUSIONS There is an urgent need to enhance MRI experiences for autistic individuals. This can be achieved through improved staff knowledge, effective communication strategies, thorough pre-scan preparation, and tailored reasonable adjustments. Co-producing clear MRI guidelines with the autism community could standardise sensitive practices. An individualised approach is crucial for reducing anxiety and facilitating participation. Empowering radiographers through autism-specific education and incorporating insights from autistic individuals and their families could transform MRI experiences and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Stogiannos
- Department of Midwifery & Radiography, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
- Medical Imaging Department, Corfu General Hospital, Corfu, Greece
| | - Georgia Pavlopoulou
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, University College London, Institute of Education Group for Research in Relationships in NeuroDiversity-GRRAND, London, UK
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
| | - Chris Papadopoulos
- Institute for Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, Putteridge Bury Campus, Luton, UK.
| | - Gemma Walsh
- Department of Midwifery & Radiography, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Ben Potts
- Department of Midwifery & Radiography, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
- Southampton General Hospital, University Hospitals Southampton Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Sarah Moqbel
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
| | | | - Jonathan McNulty
- School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Clare Simcock
- Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sebastian Gaigg
- Department of Psychology, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Dermot Bowler
- Department of Psychology, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Keith Marais
- Community Involvement, University of London, London, UK
| | - Karen Cleaver
- Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - Jane Harvey Lloyd
- Department of Specialist Science Education, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Cláudia Sá Dos Reis
- School of Health Sciences (HESAV), University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES- SO), Lausanne, CH, Switzerland
| | - Christina Malamateniou
- Department of Midwifery & Radiography, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
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10
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Dong Q, Li J, Ju Y, Xiao C, Li K, Shi B, Zheng W, Zhang Y. Altered Relationship between Functional Connectivity and Fiber-Bundle Structure in High-Functioning Male Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1098. [PMID: 37509029 PMCID: PMC10377258 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13071098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by abnormalities in structure and function of the brain. However, how ASD affects the relationship between fiber-bundle microstructures and functional connectivity (FC) remains unclear. Here, we analyzed structural and functional images of 26 high-functioning adult males with ASD, alongside 26 age-, gender-, and full-scale IQ-matched typically developing controls (TDCs) from the BNI dataset in the ABIDE database. We utilized fixel-based analysis to extract microstructural information from fiber tracts, which was then used to predict FC using a multilinear model. Our results revealed that the structure-function relationships in both ASD and TDC cohorts were strongly aligned in the primary cortex but decoupled in the high-order cortex, and the ASD patients exhibited reduced structure-function relationships throughout the cortex compared to the TDCs. Furthermore, we observed that the disrupted relationships in ASD were primarily driven by alterations in FC rather than fiber-bundle microstructures. The structure-function relationships in the left superior parietal cortex, right precentral and inferior temporal cortices, and bilateral insula could predict individual differences in clinical symptoms of ASD patients. These findings underscore the significance of altered relationships between fiber-bundle microstructures and FC in the etiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiangli Dong
- Department of Psychiatry, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jialong Li
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yumeng Ju
- Department of Psychiatry & National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Chuman Xiao
- Department of Psychiatry & National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Kangning Li
- Department of Psychiatry & National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Bin Shi
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Weihao Zheng
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry & National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
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11
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Peterson M, Whetten C, Clark AM, Nielsen JA. No difference in extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volumes across neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions in later childhood and adolescence. J Neurodev Disord 2023; 15:12. [PMID: 37005573 PMCID: PMC10068173 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-023-09477-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While autism spectrum disorder has been associated with various organizational and developmental aberrations in the brain, an increase in extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume has recently garnered attention. A series of studies indicate that an increased volume between the ages of 6 months and 4 years was both predictive of the autism diagnosis and symptom severity regardless of genetic risk for the condition. However, there remains a minimal understanding regarding the specificity of an increased volume of extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid to autism. METHODS In the present study, we explored extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volumes in children and adolescents ages 5-21 years with various neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions. We hypothesized that an elevated extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume would be found in autism compared with typical development and the other diagnostic group. We tested this hypothesis by employing a cross-sectional dataset of 446 individuals (85 autistic, 60 typically developing, and 301 other diagnosis). An analysis of covariance was used to examine differences in extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volumes between these groups as well as a group by age interaction in extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volumes. RESULTS Inconsistent with our hypothesis, we found no group differences in extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume in this cohort. However, in replication of previous work, a doubling of extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume across adolescence was found. Further investigation into the relationship between extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume and cortical thickness suggested that this increase in extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume may be driven by a decrease in cortical thickness. Furthermore, an exploratory analysis found no relationship between extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume and sleep disturbances. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that an increased volume of extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid may be limited to autistic individuals younger than 5 years. Additionally, extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume does not differ between autistic, neurotypical, and other psychiatric conditions after age 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline Peterson
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | | | - Anne M Clark
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84604, USA
| | - Jared A Nielsen
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA.
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84604, USA.
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12
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Woodward K, Spencer APC, Jary S, Chakkarapani E. Factors associated with MRI success in children cooled for neonatal encephalopathy and controls. Pediatr Res 2023; 93:1017-1023. [PMID: 35906304 PMCID: PMC10033414 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02180-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate if an association exists between motion artefacts on brain MRI and comprehension, co-ordination, or hyperactivity scores in children aged 6-8 years, cooled for neonatal encephalopathy (cases) and controls. METHODS Case children (n = 50) without cerebral palsy were matched with 43 controls for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Children underwent T1-weighted (T1w), diffusion-weighted image (DWI) brain MRI and cognitive, behavioural, and motor skills assessment. Stepwise multivariable logistic regression assessed associations between unsuccessful MRI and comprehension (including Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) verbal comprehension, working memory, processing speed and full-scale IQ), co-ordination (including Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2) balance, manual dexterity, aiming and catching, and total scores) and hyperactivity (including Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) hyperactivity and total difficulties scores). RESULTS Cases had lower odds of completing both T1w and DWIs (OR: 0.31, 95% CI 0.11-0.89). After adjusting for case-status and sex, lower MABC-2 balance score predicted unsuccessful T1w MRI (OR: 0.81, 95% CI 0.67-0.97, p = 0.022). Processing speed was negatively correlated with relative motion on DWI (r = -0.25, p = 0.026) and SDQ total difficulties score was lower for children with successful MRIs (p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS Motion artefacts on brain MRI in early school-age children are related to the developmental profile. IMPACT Children who had moderate/severe neonatal encephalopathy are less likely to have successful MRI scans than matched controls. Motion artefact on MRI is associated with lower MABC-2 balance scores in both children who received therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal encephalopathy and matched controls, after controlling for case-status and sex. Exclusion of children with motion artefacts on brain MRI can introduce sampling bias, which impacts the utility of neuroimaging to understand the brain-behaviour relationship in children with functional impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Woodward
- Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Arthur P C Spencer
- Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Clinical Research and Imaging Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sally Jary
- Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Ela Chakkarapani
- Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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13
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Awad PN, Zerbi V, Johnson-Venkatesh EM, Damiani F, Pagani M, Markicevic M, Nickles S, Gozzi A, Umemori H, Fagiolini M. CDKL5 sculpts functional callosal connectivity to promote cognitive flexibility. Mol Psychiatry 2023:10.1038/s41380-023-01962-y. [PMID: 36737483 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-01962-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Functional and structural connectivity alterations in short- and long-range projections have been reported across neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Interhemispheric callosal projection neurons (CPN) represent one of the major long-range projections in the brain, which are particularly important for higher-order cognitive function and flexibility. However, whether a causal relationship exists between interhemispheric connectivity alterations and cognitive deficits in NDD remains elusive. Here, we focused on CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD), a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the X-linked Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene. We found an increase in homotopic interhemispheric connectivity and functional hyperconnectivity across higher cognitive areas in adult male and female CDKL5-deficient mice by resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) analysis. This was accompanied by an increase in the number of callosal synaptic inputs but decrease in local synaptic connectivity in the cingulate cortex of juvenile CDKL5-deficient mice, suggesting an impairment in excitatory synapse development and a differential role of CDKL5 across excitatory neuron subtypes. These deficits were associated with significant cognitive impairments in CDKL5 KO mice. Selective deletion of CDKL5 in the largest subtype of CPN likewise resulted in an increase of functional callosal inputs, without however significantly altering intracortical cingulate networks. Notably, such callosal-specific changes were sufficient to cause cognitive deficits. Finally, when CDKL5 was selectively re-expressed only in this CPN subtype, in otherwise CDKL5-deficient mice, it was sufficient to prevent the cognitive impairments of CDKL5 mutants. Together, these results reveal a novel role of CDKL5 by demonstrating that it is both necessary and sufficient for proper CPN connectivity and cognitive function and flexibility, and further validates a causal relationship between CPN dysfunction and cognitive impairment in a model of NDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Nora Awad
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Valerio Zerbi
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuro-X Institute, School of Engineering (STI), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- CIBM Center for Biomedical Imaging, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Erin M Johnson-Venkatesh
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francesca Damiani
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marco Pagani
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy
- Autism Center, Child Mind Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marija Markicevic
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Nickles
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alessandro Gozzi
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Hisashi Umemori
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michela Fagiolini
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Hock E. Tan and K. Lisa Yang Center for Autism Research at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN), University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, Tokyo, Japan.
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14
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Wu S, Wen Z, Yang W, Jiang C, Zhou Y, Zhao Z, Zhou A, Liu X, Wang X, Wang Y, Wang H, Lin F. Potential dynamic regional brain biomarkers for early discrimination of autism and language development delay in toddlers. Front Neurosci 2023; 16:1097244. [PMID: 36699523 PMCID: PMC9869111 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1097244] [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: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The early diagnosis of autism in children is particularly important. However, there is no obvious objective indices for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), especially in toddlers aged 1-3 years with language development delay (LDD). The early differential diagnosis of ASD is challenging. Objective To examine differences in the dynamic characteristics of regional neural activity in toddlers with ASD and LDD, and whether the differences can be used as an imaging biomarker for the early differential diagnosis of ASD and LDD. Methods Dynamic regional homogeneity (dReHo) and dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (dALFF) in 55 children with ASD and 31 with LDD, aged 1-3 years, were compared. The correlations between ASD symptoms and the values of dReHo/dALFF within regions showing significant between-group differences were analyzed in ASD group. We further assessed the accuracy of dynamic regional neural activity alterations to distinguish ASD from LDD using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results Compared with the LDD group, the ASD group showed increased dReHo in the left cerebellum_8/Crust2 and right cerebellum_Crust2, and decreased dReHo in the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and post-central gyrus. Patients with ASD also exhibited decreased dALFF in the right middle temporal gyrus (MFG) and right precuneus. Moreover, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale score was negatively correlated with the dReHo of the left cerebellum_8/crust2 and right cerebellum_crust2. The dReHo value of the right MFG was negatively correlated with social self-help of the Autism Behavior Checklist score. Conclusion The pattern of resting-state regional neural activity variability was different between toddlers with ASD and those with LDD. Dynamic regional indices might be novel neuroimaging biomarkers that allow differentiation of ASD from LDD in toddlers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengjuan Wu
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi Wen
- Department of Radiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenzhong Yang
- Department of Radiology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chengcheng Jiang
- Department of Radiology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yurong Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiwei Zhao
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Aiqin Zhou
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinglian Liu
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Hong Wang,
| | - Fuchun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,Fuchun Lin,
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15
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Kim JI, Bang S, Yang JJ, Kwon H, Jang S, Roh S, Kim SH, Kim MJ, Lee HJ, Lee JM, Kim BN. Classification of Preschoolers with Low-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Multimodal MRI Data. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:25-37. [PMID: 34984638 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05368-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Multimodal imaging studies targeting preschoolers and low-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients are scarce. We applied machine learning classifiers to parameters from T1-weighted MRI and DTI data of 58 children with ASD (age 3-6 years) and 48 typically developing controls (TDC). Classification performance reached an accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 88.8%, 93.0%, and 83.8%, respectively. The most prominent features were the cortical thickness of the right inferior occipital gyrus, mean diffusivity of the middle cerebellar peduncle, and nodal efficiency of the left posterior cingulate gyrus. Machine learning-based analysis of MRI data was useful in distinguishing low-functioning ASD preschoolers from TDCs. Combination of T1 and DTI improved classification accuracy about 10%, and large-scale multi-modal MRI studies are warranted for external validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Inhyang Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University Medical Center, 222-1 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungkyu Bang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Ju Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Heejin Kwon
- Department of Psychology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 02722, Republic of Korea
| | - Soomin Jang
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungwon Roh
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University Medical Center, 222-1 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Hyeon Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University Medical Center, 222-1 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Jung Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ju Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Min Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
| | - Bung-Nyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-no, Chongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Denisova K, Lin Z. The importance of low IQ to early diagnosis of autism. Autism Res 2023; 16:122-142. [PMID: 36373182 PMCID: PMC9839551 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Some individuals can flexibly adapt to life's changing demands while others, in particular those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), find it challenging. The origin of early individual differences in cognitive abilities, the putative tools with which to navigate novel information in life, including in infants later diagnosed with ASD remains unexplored. Moreover, the role of intelligence quotient (IQ) vis-à-vis core features of autism remains debated. We systematically investigate the contribution of early IQ in future autism outcomes in an extremely large, population-based study of 8000 newborns, infants, and toddlers from the US between 2 and 68 months with over 15,000 cross-sectional and longitudinal assessments, and for whom autism outcomes are ascertained or ruled out by about 2-4 years. This population is representative of subjects involved in the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded research, mainly on atypical development, in the US. Analyses using predetermined age bins showed that IQ scores are consistently lower in ASD relative to typically developing (TD) children at all ages (p < 0.001), and IQ significantly correlates with social, non-social, and total Calibrated Severity Scores (CSS) on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) (p<0.01). Lower IQ is associated with greater autistic impairments. Note, verbal IQ (VIQ) is no better than the full-scale IQ to predict ASD cases. These findings raise new, compelling questions about potential atypical brain circuitry affecting performance in both verbal and nonverbal abilities and preceding an ASD diagnosis. This study is the first to establish prospectively that low early IQ is a major feature of ASD in early childhood. LAY SUMMARY: The role of IQ scores in autism remains debated. We systematically investigate the contribution of early IQ in an extremely large study of 8,000 children between 2 and 68 months with autism outcomes by about 2-4 years. We show that IQ scores are consistently lower in ASD relative to TD children. This study is the first to establish prospectively that low early IQ is a predictor for ASD diagnosis in early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Denisova
- Laboratory of Autism Origins and Mind and Brain Development, Division of Math and Natural Sciences, Department of Psychology, Queens College and Graduate Center City University of New York New York New York USA
| | - Zhichun Lin
- Laboratory of Autism Origins and Mind and Brain Development, Division of Math and Natural Sciences, Department of Psychology, Queens College and Graduate Center City University of New York New York New York USA
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17
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Hampel H, Caruso G, Nisticò R, Piccioni G, Mercuri NB, Giorgi FS, Ferrarelli F, Lemercier P, Caraci F, Lista S, Vergallo A. Biological Mechanism-based Neurology and Psychiatry: A BACE1/2 and Downstream Pathway Model. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:31-53. [PMID: 34852743 PMCID: PMC10193755 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666211201095701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In oncology, comprehensive omics and functional enrichment studies have led to an extensive profiling of (epi)genetic and neurobiological alterations that can be mapped onto a single tumor's clinical phenotype and divergent clinical phenotypes expressing common pathophysiological pathways. Consequently, molecular pathway-based therapeutic interventions for different cancer typologies, namely tumor type- and site-agnostic treatments, have been developed, encouraging the real-world implementation of a paradigm shift in medicine. Given the breakthrough nature of the new-generation translational research and drug development in oncology, there is an increasing rationale to transfertilize this blueprint to other medical fields, including psychiatry and neurology. In order to illustrate the emerging paradigm shift in neuroscience, we provide a state-of-the-art review of translational studies on the β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE) and its most studied downstream effector, neuregulin, which are molecular orchestrators of distinct biological pathways involved in several neurological and psychiatric diseases. This body of data aligns with the evidence of a shared genetic/biological architecture among Alzheimer's disease, schizoaffective disorder, and autism spectrum disorders. To facilitate a forward-looking discussion about a potential first step towards the adoption of biological pathway-based, clinical symptom-agnostic, categorization models in clinical neurology and psychiatry for precision medicine solutions, we engage in a speculative intellectual exercise gravitating around BACE-related science, which is used as a paradigmatic case here. We draw a perspective whereby pathway-based therapeutic strategies could be catalyzed by highthroughput techniques embedded in systems-scaled biology, neuroscience, and pharmacology approaches that will help overcome the constraints of traditional descriptive clinical symptom and syndrome-focused constructs in neurology and psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Hampel
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Boulevard de l'hôpital, Paris, France
| | | | - Robert Nisticò
- Laboratory of Pharmacology of Synaptic Plasticity, EBRI Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy
- School of Pharmacy, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Gaia Piccioni
- Laboratory of Pharmacology of Synaptic Plasticity, EBRI Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V.Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola B. Mercuri
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Sean Giorgi
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Ferrarelli
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Pablo Lemercier
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Boulevard de l'hôpital, Paris, France
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Simone Lista
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Boulevard de l'hôpital, Paris, France
- Memory Resources and Research Center (CMRR), Neurology Department, Gui de Chauliac University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Andrea Vergallo
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Boulevard de l'hôpital, Paris, France
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Lee JK, Cho ACB, Andrews DS, Ozonoff S, Rogers SJ, Amaral DG, Solomon M, Nordahl CW. Default mode and fronto-parietal network associations with IQ development across childhood in autism. J Neurodev Disord 2022; 14:51. [PMID: 36109700 PMCID: PMC9479280 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-022-09460-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intellectual disability affects approximately one third of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (autism). Yet, a major unresolved neurobiological question is what differentiates autistic individuals with and without intellectual disability. Intelligence quotients (IQs) are highly variable during childhood. We previously identified three subgroups of autistic children with different trajectories of intellectual development from early (2–3½ years) to middle childhood (9–12 years): (a) persistently high: individuals whose IQs remained in the normal range; (b) persistently low: individuals whose IQs remained in the range of intellectual disability (IQ < 70); and (c) changers: individuals whose IQs began in the range of intellectual disability but increased to the normal IQ range. The frontoparietal (FPN) and default mode (DMN) networks have established links to intellectual functioning. Here, we tested whether brain regions within the FPN and DMN differed volumetrically between these IQ trajectory groups in early childhood. Methods We conducted multivariate distance matrix regression to examine the brain regions within the FPN (11 regions x 2 hemispheres) and the DMN (12 regions x 2 hemispheres) in 48 persistently high (18 female), 108 persistently low (32 female), and 109 changers (39 female) using structural MRI acquired at baseline. FPN and DMN regions were defined using networks identified in Smith et al. (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106:13040–5, 2009). IQ trajectory groups were defined by IQ measurements from up to three time points spanning early to middle childhood (mean age time 1: 3.2 years; time 2: 5.4 years; time 3: 11.3 years). Results The changers group exhibited volumetric differences in the DMN compared to both the persistently low and persistently high groups at time 1. However, the persistently high group did not differ from the persistently low group, suggesting that DMN structure may be an early predictor for change in IQ trajectory. In contrast, the persistently high group exhibited differences in the FPN compared to both the persistently low and changers groups, suggesting differences related more to concurrent IQ and the absence of intellectual disability. Conclusions Within autism, volumetric differences of brain regions within the DMN in early childhood may differentiate individuals with persistently low IQ from those with low IQ that improves through childhood. Structural differences in brain networks between these three IQ-based subgroups highlight distinct neural underpinnings of these autism sub-phenotypes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11689-022-09460-y.
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Nebel MB, Lidstone DE, Wang L, Benkeser D, Mostofsky SH, Risk BB. Accounting for motion in resting-state fMRI: What part of the spectrum are we characterizing in autism spectrum disorder? Neuroimage 2022; 257:119296. [PMID: 35561944 PMCID: PMC9233079 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The exclusion of high-motion participants can reduce the impact of motion in functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data. However, the exclusion of high-motion participants may change the distribution of clinically relevant variables in the study sample, and the resulting sample may not be representative of the population. Our goals are two-fold: 1) to document the biases introduced by common motion exclusion practices in functional connectivity research and 2) to introduce a framework to address these biases by treating excluded scans as a missing data problem. We use a study of autism spectrum disorder in children without an intellectual disability to illustrate the problem and the potential solution. We aggregated data from 545 children (8-13 years old) who participated in resting-state fMRI studies at Kennedy Krieger Institute (173 autistic and 372 typically developing) between 2007 and 2020. We found that autistic children were more likely to be excluded than typically developing children, with 28.5% and 16.1% of autistic and typically developing children excluded, respectively, using a lenient criterion and 81.0% and 60.1% with a stricter criterion. The resulting sample of autistic children with usable data tended to be older, have milder social deficits, better motor control, and higher intellectual ability than the original sample. These measures were also related to functional connectivity strength among children with usable data. This suggests that the generalizability of previous studies reporting naïve analyses (i.e., based only on participants with usable data) may be limited by the selection of older children with less severe clinical profiles because these children are better able to remain still during an rs-fMRI scan. We adapt doubly robust targeted minimum loss based estimation with an ensemble of machine learning algorithms to address these data losses and the resulting biases. The proposed approach selects more edges that differ in functional connectivity between autistic and typically developing children than the naïve approach, supporting this as a promising solution to improve the study of heterogeneous populations in which motion is common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Beth Nebel
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
| | - Daniel E Lidstone
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Liwei Wang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - David Benkeser
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Stewart H Mostofsky
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Benjamin B Risk
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
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20
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Zhang Y, Zhang S, Chen B, Jiang L, Li Y, Dong L, Feng R, Yao D, Li F, Xu P. Predicting the Symptom Severity in Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on EEG Metrics. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2022; 30:1898-1907. [PMID: 35788457 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2022.3188564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with the impaired integrating and segregating of related information that is expanded within the large-scale brain network. The varying ASD symptom severities have been explored, relying on their behaviors and related brain activity, but how to effectively predict ASD symptom severity needs further exploration. In this study, we aim to investigate whether the ASD symptom severity could be predicted with electroencephalography (EEG) metrics. Based on a publicly available dataset, the EEG brain networks were constructed, and four types of EEG metrics were calculated. Then, we statistically compared the brain network differences among ASD children with varying severities, i.e., high/low autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS) scores, as well as with the typically developing (TD) children. Thereafter, the EEG metrics were utilized to validate whether they could facilitate the prediction of the ASD symptom severity. The results demonstrated that both high- and low-scoring ASD children showed the decreased long-range frontal-occipital connectivity, increased anterior frontal connectivity and altered network properties. Furthermore, we found that the four types of EEG metrics are significantly correlated with the ADOS scores, and their combination can serve as the features to effectively predict the ASD symptom severity. The current findings will expand our knowledge of network dysfunction in ASD children and provide new EEG metrics for predicting the symptom severity.
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21
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Identification of Young High-Functioning Autism Individuals Based on Functional Connectome Using Graph Isomorphism Network: A Pilot Study. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12070883. [PMID: 35884690 PMCID: PMC9315722 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12070883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulated studies have determined the changes in functional connectivity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and spurred the application of machine learning for classifying ASD. Graph Neural Network provides a new method for network analysis in brain disorders to identify the underlying network features associated with functional deficits. Here, we proposed an improved model of Graph Isomorphism Network (GIN) that implements the Weisfeiler-Lehman (WL) graph isomorphism test to learn the graph features while taking into account the importance of each node in the classification to improve the interpretability of the algorithm. We applied the proposed method on multisite datasets of resting-state functional connectome from Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) after stringent quality control. The proposed method outperformed other commonly used classification methods on five different evaluation metrics. We also identified salient ROIs in visual and frontoparietal control networks, which could provide potential neuroimaging biomarkers for ASD identification.
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22
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Shih PY, Fang YL, Shankar S, Lee SP, Hu HT, Chen H, Wang TF, Hsia KC, Hsueh YP. Phase separation and zinc-induced transition modulate synaptic distribution and association of autism-linked CTTNBP2 and SHANK3. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2664. [PMID: 35562389 PMCID: PMC9106668 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30353-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Many synaptic proteins form biological condensates via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Synaptopathy, a key feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), is likely relevant to the impaired phase separation and/or transition of ASD-linked synaptic proteins. Here, we report that LLPS and zinc-induced liquid-to-gel phase transition regulate the synaptic distribution and protein-protein interaction of cortactin-binding protein 2 (CTTNBP2), an ASD-linked protein. CTTNBP2 forms self-assembled condensates through its C-terminal intrinsically disordered region and facilitates SHANK3 co-condensation at dendritic spines. Zinc binds the N-terminal coiled-coil region of CTTNBP2, promoting higher-order assemblies. Consequently, it leads to reduce CTTNBP2 mobility and enhance the stability and synaptic retention of CTTNBP2 condensates. Moreover, ASD-linked mutations alter condensate formation and synaptic retention of CTTNBP2 and impair mouse social behaviors, which are all ameliorated by zinc supplementation. Our study suggests the relevance of condensate formation and zinc-induced phase transition to the synaptic distribution and function of ASD-linked proteins. Autism impacts synapses. This study reports that autism-linked mutations of CTTNBP2 regulate phase separation to control synaptic enrichment of that protein. A zinc-induced liquid-to-gel transition improves synaptic retention of CTTNBP2 and SHANK3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu-Yun Shih
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Yu-Lun Fang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.,Department and Graduate Institute of Biochemistry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Sahana Shankar
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.,Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Sue-Ping Lee
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsiao-Tang Hu
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsin Chen
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.,Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - Ting-Fang Wang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.,Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Kuo-Chiang Hsia
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. .,Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Yi-Ping Hsueh
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. .,Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
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23
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Tang S, Nie L, Liu X, Chen Z, Zhou Y, Pan Z, He L. Application of Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Autism in Children. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:818404. [PMID: 35646984 PMCID: PMC9133426 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.818404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To explore the application of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of autism in children. Methods Sixty autistic children aged 2–3 years and 60 age- and sex-matched healthy children participated in the study. All the children were scanned using head MRI conventional sequences, 3D-T1, diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), enhanced T2*- weighted magnetic resonance angiography (ESWAN) and 3D-pseudo continuous Arterial Spin-Labeled (3D-pcASL) sequences. The quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and brain microstructure of each brain area were compared between the groups, and correlations were analyzed. Results The iron content and cerebral blood flow in the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, hippocampus, caudate nucleus, substantia nigra, and red nucleus of the study group were lower than those in the corresponding brain areas of the control group (P < 0.05). The mean kurtosis (MK), radial kurtosis (RK), and axial kurtosis (AK) values of the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, putamen, hippocampus, caudate nucleus, substantia nigra, and red nucleus in the study group were lower than those of the corresponding brain areas in the control group (P < 0.05). The mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy of kurtosis (FAK) values of the frontal lobe, temporal lobe and hippocampus in the control group were lower than those in the corresponding brain areas in the study group (P < 0.05). The values of CBF, QSM, and DKI in frontal lobe, temporal lobe and hippocampus could distinguish ASD children (AUC > 0.5, P < 0.05), among which multimodal technology (QSM, CBF, DKI) had the highest AUC (0.917) and DKI had the lowest AUC (0.642). Conclusion Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (including QSM, 3D-pcASL, and DKI) can detect abnormalities in the iron content, cerebral blood flow and brain microstructure in young autistic children, multimodal technology (QSM, CBF, DKI) could be considered as the first choice of imaging diagnostic technology. Clinical Trial Registration [http://www.chictr.org.cn/searchprojen.aspx], identifier [ChiCTR2000029699].
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilong Tang
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Lisha Nie
- GE Healthcare, MR Research China, Beijing, China
| | - Xianfan Liu
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhengxia Pan
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Zhengxia Pan,
| | - Ling He
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
- Ling He,
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Stogiannos N, Carlier S, Harvey-Lloyd JM, Brammer A, Nugent B, Cleaver K, McNulty JP, dos Reis CS, Malamateniou C. A systematic review of person-centred adjustments to facilitate magnetic resonance imaging for autistic patients without the use of sedation or anaesthesia. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022; 26:782-797. [PMID: 34961364 PMCID: PMC9008560 DOI: 10.1177/13623613211065542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Autistic patients often undergo magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Within this environment, it is usual to feel anxious and overwhelmed by noises, lights or other people. The narrow scanners, the loud noises and the long examination time can easily cause panic attacks. This review aims to identify any adaptations for autistic individuals to have a magnetic resonance imaging scan without sedation or anaesthesia. Out of 4442 articles screened, 53 more relevant were evaluated and 21 were finally included in this study. Customising communication, different techniques to improve the environment, using technology for familiarisation and distraction have been used in previous studies. The results of this study can be used to make suggestions on how to improve magnetic resonance imaging practice and the autistic patient experience. They can also be used to create training for the healthcare professionals using the magnetic resonance imaging scanners.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Carlier
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO), Switzerland
- University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Barbara Nugent
- City, University of London, UK
- MRI Safety Matters® Organisation, UK
- NHS National Education for Scotland, UK
| | | | | | - Cláudia Sá dos Reis
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO), Switzerland
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25
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Tang S, Liu X, Ran Q, Nie L, Wu L, Pan Z, He L. Application of Three-Dimensional Pseudocontinuous Arterial Spin Labeling Perfusion Imaging in the Brains of Children With Autism. Front Neurol 2022; 13:851430. [PMID: 35280268 PMCID: PMC8905523 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.851430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To explore the application of three-dimensional pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling (3D-PCASL) perfusion imaging in the brains of children with autism and to understand the characteristics of cerebral blood perfusion in children with autism. Methods A total of 320 children with autism (160 men and 160 women) aged between 2 and 18 years and 320 age- and sex-matched healthy children participated in the study. All children were scanned by 3.0 T magnetic resonance axial T1 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), T2 FLAIR, 3D-T1, and 3D-PCASL sequences. After postprocessing, cerebral blood flow (CBF) values in each brain region of children with autism and healthy children at the same age were compared and analyzed. Furthermore, CBF characteristics in each brain region of autistic children at various ages were determined. Results The CBF values of the frontal lobe, hippocampus, temporal lobe, and caudate nucleus of children with autism are lower than those of healthy children (P < 0.05). Additionally, as the ages of children with autism increase, the number of brain regions with decreased CBF values gradually increases. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis results show that the CBF values of the frontal lobe, hippocampus, temporal lobe, and caudate nucleus can distinguish children with autism [area under the ROC curve (AUC) > 0.05, P < 0.05]. Conclusion The 3D-PCASL shows lower brain CBF values in children with autism. Clinical Trial Registration www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: ChiCTR2000034356.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilong Tang
- Department of Radiology Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Xianfan Liu
- Department of Radiology Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiying Ran
- Department of Radiology Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Lisha Nie
- GE Healthcare, MR Research China, Beijing, China
| | - Lan Wu
- Department of Radiology Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhengxia Pan
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling He
- Department of Radiology Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
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26
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McKechanie AG, Lawrie SM, Whalley HC, Stanfield AC. A functional MRI facial emotion-processing study of autism in individuals with special educational needs. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2022; 320:111426. [PMID: 34911009 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2021.111426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the functional imaging associations of autism in individuals with special educational needs and demonstrate the feasibility of such research. The study included 18 individuals (3 female,15 male; mean age 24.3; mean IQ 69.7) with special educational needs (SEN), of whom 9 met criteria for autism. The task examined the Blood-oxygen-level dependant response to fearful and neutral faces. Individuals in the autism group had 2 clusters of significantly reduced activity centred on the left superior frontal gyrus and left angular gyrus compared to those with SEN alone in response to the fearful faces. In the response to neutral faces, individuals in the autism group also had a cluster of significantly greater activity centred on the right precentral gyrus compared to those with SEN alone. We suggest that autistic characteristics in individuals with SEN are associated with changes in fearful facial emotion processing analogous to those previously reported in autistic individuals without SEN, and who are of average or above average cognitive ability. The finding of enhanced response to neutral facial stimuli needs further investigation, although we speculate this may relate to reports of the experience of 'hyper-mentalisation' in social situations as reported by some autistic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G McKechanie
- Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Stephen M Lawrie
- Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Heather C Whalley
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew C Stanfield
- Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Hu X, Zhao M, Ma Y, Ge Y, He H, Wang S, Qian Y. Alteration of segregation of brain systems in the severe depressive disorder after electroconvulsive therapy. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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28
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Ji Y, Xu M, Liu X, Dai Y, Zhou L, Li F, Zhang L. Temporopolar volumes are associated with the severity of social impairment and language development in children with autism spectrum disorder with developmental delay. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1072272. [PMID: 36532174 PMCID: PMC9751401 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1072272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental delay (DD; ASD + DD) have more severe clinical symptoms than those with ASD without DD (ASD-only). However, little is known about the underlying neuroimaging mechanisms. The aim of this study was to explore the volumetric difference between patients with ASD + DD and ASD-only and investigate the relationship between brain alterations and clinical manifestations. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 184 children with ASD aged 2-6 years were included in this study, who were divided into two groups according to their cognitive development: ASD + DD and ASD-only. Clinical symptoms and language development were assessed using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and the Putonghua Communicative Development Inventory. Of the 184 children, 60 age-matched males (30 ASD + DD and 30 ASD-only patients) with high-resolution structural neuroimaging scans were included for further voxel-based morphometry analysis to examine the relationship between clinical symptoms and gray matter volumes. RESULTS The ASD + DD group had higher CARS and ADOS scores, lower gesture scores, and poorer performance in "responding to joint attention" (RJA) and "initiating joint attention" than the ASD-only group. Larger gray matter volumes in the temporal poles of the right and left middle temporal gyri were associated with the co-occurrence of DD in patients with ASD. Moreover, temporopolar volumes were correlated with CARS and ADOS scores, gesture scores, and RJA ability. Pre-language development significantly mediated the relationship between temporopolar volumes and both CARS and ADOS scores; RJA ability, but not gesture development, contributed to this mediating effect. CONCLUSION In this study, we found that temporopolar volumes were enlarged in patients with ASD who had comorbid DD, and these patients showed an association between symptom severity and language ability during the pre-language stage. Offering early interventions focused on RJA and the temporal pole may help improve clinical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiting Ji
- Department of Child and Adolescent Healthcare, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mingyu Xu
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Dai
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Psychology and Neuroscience of Cognition Research Unit, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingli Zhang
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Linke AC, Slušná D, Kohli JS, Álvarez-Linera Prado J, Müller RA, Hinzen W. Morphometry and functional connectivity of auditory cortex in school-age children with profound language disabilities: Five comparative case studies. Brain Cogn 2021; 155:105822. [PMID: 34837801 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2021.105822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Many neurodevelopmental conditions imply absent or severely reduced language capacities at school age. Evidence from functional magnetic resonance imaging is highly limited. We selected a series of five cases scanned with the same fMRI paradigm and the aim of relating individual language profiles onto underlying patterns of functional connectivity (FC) across auditory language cortex: three with neurogenetic syndromes (Coffin-Siris, Landau-Kleffner, and Fragile-X), one with idiopathic intellectual disability, one with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Compared to both a group with typical development (TD) and a verbal ASD group (total N = 110), they all showed interhemispheric FC below two standard deviations of the TD mean. Children with higher language scores showed higher intrahemispheric FC between Heschl's gyrus and other auditory language regions, as well as an increase of FC during language stimulation compared to rest. An increase of FC in forward vs. reversed speech in the posterior and middle temporal gyri was seen across all cases. The Coffin-Siris case, the most severe, also had the most anomalous FC patterns and showed reduced myelin content, while the Landau-Kleffner case showed reduced cortical thickness. These results suggest potential for neural markers and mechanisms of severe language processing deficits under highly heterogeneous etiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Carola Linke
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Dominika Slušná
- Department of Translation and Language Sciences, Campus Poblenou, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona 08018, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jiwandeep Singh Kohli
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Ralph-Axel Müller
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Wolfram Hinzen
- Department of Translation and Language Sciences, Campus Poblenou, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona 08018, Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, ICREA, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
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30
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Thurm A, Halladay A, Mandell D, Maye M, Ethridge S, Farmer C. Making Research Possible: Barriers and Solutions For Those With ASD and ID. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:4646-4650. [PMID: 34716842 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05320-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Participation in research can provide direct and indirect benefit to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their caregivers, families, and society at large. Unfortunately, individuals with high support needs, including those with intellectual disability, cognitive disability or minimal verbal ability, are often systematically excluded from research on ASD. This limits the ability to generalize discoveries to all people with ASD, and results in a disparity in who benefits from research. This piece outlines the importance and extent of the problem, which is part of a broader lack of inclusivity in ASD research. It also provides examples of studies that have directly addressed issues that arise when conducting inclusive research and makes recommendations for researchers to reduce disparities in research participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Thurm
- National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Alycia Halladay
- Autism Science Foundation, New York, NY, USA
- Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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31
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Peterson M, Prigge MBD, Bigler ED, Zielinski B, King JB, Lange N, Alexander A, Lainhart JE, Nielsen JA. Evidence for normal extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume in autistic males from middle childhood to adulthood. Neuroimage 2021; 240:118387. [PMID: 34260891 PMCID: PMC8485737 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder has long been associated with a variety of organizational and developmental abnormalities in the brain. An increase in extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume in autistic individuals between the ages of 6 months and 4 years has been reported in recent studies. Increased extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume was predictive of the diagnosis and severity of the autistic symptoms in all of them, irrespective of genetic risk for developing the disorder. In the present study, we explored the trajectory of extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume from childhood to adulthood in both autism and typical development. We hypothesized that an elevated extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume would be found in autism persisting throughout the age range studied. We tested the hypothesis by employing an accelerated, multi-cohort longitudinal data set of 189 individuals (97 autistic, 92 typically developing). Each individual had been scanned between 1 and 5 times, with scanning sessions separated by 2-3 years, for a total of 439 T1-weighted MRI scans. A linear mixed-effects model was used to compare developmental, age-related changes in extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume between groups. Inconsistent with our hypothesis, we found no group differences in extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume in this cohort of individuals 3 to 42 years of age. Our results suggest that extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid volume in autistic individuals is not increased compared with controls beyond four years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline Peterson
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, United States
| | - Molly B D Prigge
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, United States; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, United States
| | - Erin D Bigler
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, United States; Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84604, United States; Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, United States; Department of Neurology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA United States
| | - Brandon Zielinski
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, United States; Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, United States
| | - Jace B King
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, United States
| | - Nicholas Lange
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Andrew Alexander
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53719, United States; Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, United States
| | - Janet E Lainhart
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53719, United States
| | - Jared A Nielsen
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, United States; Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84604, United States.
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32
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Kim D, Lee JY, Jeong BC, Ahn JH, Kim JI, Lee ES, Kim H, Lee HJ, Han CE. Overconnectivity of the right Heschl's and inferior temporal gyrus correlates with symptom severity in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2021; 14:2314-2329. [PMID: 34529363 PMCID: PMC9292809 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have reported varying findings regarding the association of brain connectivity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with overconnectivity, underconnectivity, or both. Despite the emerging understanding that ASD is a developmental disconnection syndrome, very little is known about structural brain networks in preschool‐aged children with low‐functioning ASD. We aimed to investigate the structural brain connectivity of low‐functioning ASD using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and graph theory to examine alterations in different brain network topologies and identify any correlations with the clinical severity of ASD in preschool‐aged children. Fifty‐two preschool‐aged children (28 with ASD and 24 with typical development) were included in the analysis. Graph‐based network analysis was performed to examine the global and local structural brain networks. Nodal network measures exhibited increased nodal strength in the right Heschl's gyrus, which was positively associated with all autistic clinical symptoms (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and Childhood Autism Rating Scale [CARS]). The nodal strength of the right inferior temporal gyrus showed a moderate correlation with the CARS score. Using network‐based statistics, we identified a subnetwork with increased connections encompassing the right Heschl's gyrus and the right inferior temporal gyrus in preschool‐aged children with ASD. The asymmetric value in the inferior temporal gyrus exhibited right dominance of nodal strength in children with ASD compared to that in typically developing children. Our findings support the theory of aberrant brain growth and overconnectivity as the underlying mechanism of ASD and provides new insights into potential regional biomarkers that can detect low‐functioning ASD in preschool‐aged children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daegyeom Kim
- Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Young Lee
- Clinical Research Institute of Developmental Medicine, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong Chang Jeong
- Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea.,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program for Artificial Intelligence Smart Convergence Technology, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja-Hye Ahn
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Johanna Inhyang Kim
- Clinical Research Institute of Developmental Medicine, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Soo Lee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hyuna Kim
- Department of Child Psychotherapy, Hanyang University Graduate School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ju Lee
- Clinical Research Institute of Developmental Medicine, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol E Han
- Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea.,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program for Artificial Intelligence Smart Convergence Technology, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea
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Roberts TPL, Kuschner ES, Edgar JC. Biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder: opportunities for magnetoencephalography (MEG). J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:34. [PMID: 34525943 PMCID: PMC8442415 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-021-09385-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper reviews a candidate biomarker for ASD, the M50 auditory evoked response component, detected by magnetoencephalography (MEG) and presents a position on the roles and opportunities for such a biomarker, as well as converging evidence from allied imaging techniques (magnetic resonance imaging, MRI and spectroscopy, MRS). Data is presented on prolonged M50 latencies in ASD as well as extension to include children with ASD with significant language and cognitive impairments in whom M50 latency delays are exacerbated. Modeling of the M50 latency by consideration of the properties of auditory pathway white matter is shown to be successful in typical development but challenged by heterogeneity in ASD; this, however, is capitalized upon to identify a distinct subpopulation of children with ASD whose M50 latencies lie well outside the range of values predictable from the typically developing model. Interestingly, this subpopulation is characterized by low levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Following from this, we discuss a potential use of the M50 latency in indicating “target engagement” acutely with administration of a GABA-B agonist, potentially distinguishing “responders” from “non-responders” with the implication of optimizing inclusion for clinical trials of such agents. Implications for future application, including potential evaluation of infants with genetic risk factors, are discussed. As such, the broad scope of potential of a representative candidate biological marker, the M50 latency, is introduced along with potential future applications. This paper outlines a strategy for understanding brain dysfunction in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It is proposed that a multimodal approach (collection of brain structure, chemistry, and neuronal functional data) will identify IDD subpopulations who share a common disease pathway, and thus identify individuals with IDD who might ultimately benefit from specific treatments. After briefly demonstrating the need and potential for scope, examples from studies examining brain function and structure in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) illustrate how measures of brain neuronal function (from magnetoencephalography, MEG), brain structure (from magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, especially diffusion MRI), and brain chemistry (MR spectroscopy) can help us better understand the heterogeneity in ASD and form the basis of multivariate biological markers (biomarkers) useable to define clinical subpopulations. Similar approaches can be applied to understand brain dysfunction in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) in general. In large part, this paper represents our endeavors as part of the CHOP/Penn NICHD-funded intellectual and developmental disabilities research center (IDDRC) over the past decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy P L Roberts
- Dept. of Radiology, Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Emily S Kuschner
- Dept. of Radiology, Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - J Christopher Edgar
- Dept. of Radiology, Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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34
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Yao L, Fu H, Bai L, Deng W, Xie F, Li Y, Zhang R, Xu X, Wang T, Lai S, Wang J. Saliva nitrite is higher in male children with autism spectrum disorder and positively correlated with serum nitrate. Redox Rep 2021; 26:124-133. [PMID: 34323675 PMCID: PMC8330712 DOI: 10.1080/13510002.2021.1959133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Nitric oxide (NO) plays a vital role in neurological development. As an easily accessible and non-invasive fluid, saliva hasn't been evaluated for nitrite among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aims to quantify saliva nitrite and explore its relation with serum NO. Methods Saliva sampling and pretreatment methods were optimized, followed by NO measurement via chemiluminescence for 126 ASD children and 129 normally developing children (ND). Results In the ASD group, saliva nitrite was significantly higher than that in the ND, with concentrations of 4.97 ± 3.77 μM and 2.66 ± 2.07 μM (p < 0.0001), respectively. Positive correlation was observed between saliva NO2− and serum NO3− in ASD children, which didn't exist in the ND group. Male children in the ASD group had significantly higher NO than that in boys of the ND group, without significant difference between girls in both groups. Correlation was not found between saliva or serum NO and severity of these ASD children. Discussion It is reported for the first time that saliva nitrite was positively correlated with serum nitrate in ASD children, with significantly higher NO only in autistic boys. Non-invasive saliva might serve as a predictor of health status of ASD children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Yao
- International Joint Research Center for General Health, Precision Medicine & Nutrition, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Biomedicine and Biopharmacology, Bioengineering and Food College, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Huimin Fu
- International Joint Research Center for General Health, Precision Medicine & Nutrition, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Biomedicine and Biopharmacology, Bioengineering and Food College, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Bai
- International Joint Research Center for General Health, Precision Medicine & Nutrition, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Biomedicine and Biopharmacology, Bioengineering and Food College, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenwen Deng
- International Joint Research Center for General Health, Precision Medicine & Nutrition, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Biomedicine and Biopharmacology, Bioengineering and Food College, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Xie
- Department of Child Health Care, Huangshi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Child Health Care, Huangshi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinjie Xu
- Medical Science Research Center, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Scientific Research, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Neurology, Maternal and Child Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenghan Lai
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- International Joint Research Center for General Health, Precision Medicine & Nutrition, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Biomedicine and Biopharmacology, Bioengineering and Food College, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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35
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Paakki J, Rahko JS, Kotila A, Mattila M, Miettunen H, Hurtig TM, Jussila KK, Kuusikko‐Gauffin S, Moilanen IK, Tervonen O, Kiviniemi VJ. Co-activation pattern alterations in autism spectrum disorder-A volume-wise hierarchical clustering fMRI study. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e02174. [PMID: 33998178 PMCID: PMC8213933 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There has been a growing effort to characterize the time-varying functional connectivity of resting state (RS) fMRI brain networks (RSNs). Although voxel-wise connectivity studies have examined different sliding window lengths, nonsequential volume-wise approaches have been less common. METHODS Inspired by earlier co-activation pattern (CAP) studies, we applied hierarchical clustering (HC) to classify the image volumes of the RS-fMRI data on 28 adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their 27 typically developing (TD) controls. We compared the distribution of the ASD and TD groups' volumes in CAPs as well as their voxel-wise means. For simplification purposes, we conducted a group independent component analysis to extract 14 major RSNs. The RSNs' average z-scores enabled us to meaningfully regroup the RSNs and estimate the percentage of voxels within each RSN for which there was a significant group difference. These results were jointly interpreted to find global group-specific patterns. RESULTS We found similar brain state proportions in 58 CAPs (clustering interval from 2 to 30). However, in many CAPs, the voxel-wise means differed significantly within a matrix of 14 RSNs. The rest-activated default mode-positive and default mode-negative brain state properties vary considerably in both groups over time. This division was seen clearly when the volumes were partitioned into two CAPs and then further examined along the HC dendrogram of the diversifying brain CAPs. The ASD group network activations followed a more heterogeneous distribution and some networks maintained higher baselines; throughout the brain deactivation state, the ASD participants had reduced deactivation in 12/14 networks. During default mode-negative CAPs, the ASD group showed simultaneous visual network and either dorsal attention or default mode network overactivation. CONCLUSION Nonsequential volume gathering into CAPs and the comparison of voxel-wise signal changes provide a complementary perspective to connectivity and an alternative to sliding window analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyri‐Johan Paakki
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Biosciences Doctoral ProgrammeUniversity of Oulu Graduate SchoolUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- The Faculty of MedicineResearch Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and TechnologyOulu Functional NeuroImaging GroupUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Diagnostic RadiologyMedical Research CenterOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
| | - Jukka S. Rahko
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Biosciences Doctoral ProgrammeUniversity of Oulu Graduate SchoolUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- PEDEGO Research UnitFaculty of MedicineChild PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Institute of Clinical MedicineClinic of Child PsychiatryUniversity and University Hospital of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Aija Kotila
- Faculty of HumanitiesResearch Unit of LogopedicsUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Marja‐Leena Mattila
- PEDEGO Research UnitFaculty of MedicineChild PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Institute of Clinical MedicineClinic of Child PsychiatryUniversity and University Hospital of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Helena Miettunen
- PEDEGO Research UnitFaculty of MedicineChild PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Institute of Clinical MedicineClinic of Child PsychiatryUniversity and University Hospital of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Tuula M. Hurtig
- PEDEGO Research UnitFaculty of MedicineChild PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Institute of Clinical MedicineClinic of Child PsychiatryUniversity and University Hospital of OuluOuluFinland
- Research Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Katja K. Jussila
- PEDEGO Research UnitFaculty of MedicineChild PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Institute of Clinical MedicineClinic of Child PsychiatryUniversity and University Hospital of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Sanna Kuusikko‐Gauffin
- PEDEGO Research UnitFaculty of MedicineChild PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Institute of Clinical MedicineClinic of Child PsychiatryUniversity and University Hospital of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Irma K. Moilanen
- PEDEGO Research UnitFaculty of MedicineChild PsychiatryUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Institute of Clinical MedicineClinic of Child PsychiatryUniversity and University Hospital of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Osmo Tervonen
- The Faculty of MedicineResearch Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and TechnologyOulu Functional NeuroImaging GroupUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Diagnostic RadiologyMedical Research CenterOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
| | - Vesa J. Kiviniemi
- The Faculty of MedicineResearch Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and TechnologyOulu Functional NeuroImaging GroupUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Diagnostic RadiologyMedical Research CenterOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
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36
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Kojic M, Gawda T, Gaik M, Begg A, Salerno-Kochan A, Kurniawan ND, Jones A, Drożdżyk K, Kościelniak A, Chramiec-Głąbik A, Hediyeh-Zadeh S, Kasherman M, Shim WJ, Sinniah E, Genovesi LA, Abrahamsen RK, Fenger CD, Madsen CG, Cohen JS, Fatemi A, Stark Z, Lunke S, Lee J, Hansen JK, Boxill MF, Keren B, Marey I, Saenz MS, Brown K, Alexander SA, Mureev S, Batzilla A, Davis MJ, Piper M, Bodén M, Burne THJ, Palpant NJ, Møller RS, Glatt S, Wainwright BJ. Elp2 mutations perturb the epitranscriptome and lead to a complex neurodevelopmental phenotype. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2678. [PMID: 33976153 PMCID: PMC8113450 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22888-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are the most common neurodevelopmental disorders and are characterized by substantial impairment in intellectual and adaptive functioning, with their genetic and molecular basis remaining largely unknown. Here, we identify biallelic variants in the gene encoding one of the Elongator complex subunits, ELP2, in patients with ID and ASD. Modelling the variants in mice recapitulates the patient features, with brain imaging and tractography analysis revealing microcephaly, loss of white matter tract integrity and an aberrant functional connectome. We show that the Elp2 mutations negatively impact the activity of the complex and its function in translation via tRNA modification. Further, we elucidate that the mutations perturb protein homeostasis leading to impaired neurogenesis, myelin loss and neurodegeneration. Collectively, our data demonstrate an unexpected role for tRNA modification in the pathogenesis of monogenic ID and ASD and define Elp2 as a key regulator of brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Kojic
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Tomasz Gawda
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Monika Gaik
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Alexander Begg
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Anna Salerno-Kochan
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
- Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Nyoman D Kurniawan
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alun Jones
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Katarzyna Drożdżyk
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Kościelniak
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Soroor Hediyeh-Zadeh
- Bioinformatics Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Maria Kasherman
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Woo Jun Shim
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Enakshi Sinniah
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Laura A Genovesi
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Rannvá K Abrahamsen
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Centre, Dianalund, Denmark
| | - Christina D Fenger
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Centre, Dianalund, Denmark
| | - Camilla G Madsen
- Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Julie S Cohen
- Department of Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Division of Neurogenetics, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ali Fatemi
- Department of Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Division of Neurogenetics, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zornitza Stark
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Australian Genomics Health Alliance, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Sebastian Lunke
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Australian Genomics Health Alliance, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Joy Lee
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jonas K Hansen
- Department of Paediatrics, Regional Hospital Viborg, Viborg, Denmark
| | - Martin F Boxill
- Department of Paediatrics, Regional Hospital Viborg, Viborg, Denmark
| | - Boris Keren
- Department of Genetics, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Marey
- Department of Genetics, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Margarita S Saenz
- The University of Colorado Anschutz, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kathleen Brown
- The University of Colorado Anschutz, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Suzanne A Alexander
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Sergey Mureev
- CSIRO-QUT Synthetic Biology Alliance, Centre for Tropical Crops and Bio-commodities, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alina Batzilla
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- The Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Melissa J Davis
- Bioinformatics Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Piper
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Mikael Bodén
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Thomas H J Burne
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nathan J Palpant
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Rikke S Møller
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Centre, Dianalund, Denmark
- Department for Regional Health Research, The University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sebastian Glatt
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Brandon J Wainwright
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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Yao S, Zhou M, Zhang Y, Zhou F, Zhang Q, Zhao Z, Jiang X, Xu X, Becker B, Kendrick KM. Decreased homotopic interhemispheric functional connectivity in children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2021; 14:1609-1620. [PMID: 33908177 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
While several functional and structural changes occur in large-scale brain networks in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), reduced interhemispheric resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) between homotopic regions may be of particular importance as a biomarker. ASD is an early-onset developmental disorder and neural alterations are often age-dependent. Although there is some evidence for homotopic interhemispheric rsFC alterations in language processing regions in ASD children, wider analyses using large data sets have not been performed. The present study, therefore, conducted a voxel-based homotopic interhemispheric rsFC analysis in 146 ASD and 175 typically developing children under-age 10 and examined associations with symptom severity in the autism brain imaging data exchange data sets. Given the role of corpus callosum (CC) in interhemispheric connectivity and reported CC volume changes in ASD we additionally examined whether there were parallel volumetric changes. Results demonstrated decreased homotopic rsFC in ASD children in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and precuneus of the default mode network, the precentral gyrus of the mirror neuron system, and the caudate of the reward system. Homotopic rsFC of the PCC was associated with symptom severity. Furthermore, although no significant CC volume changes were found in ASD children, there was a significant negative correlation between the anterior CC volumes and homotopic rsFC strengths in the caudate. The present study shows that a reduced pattern of homotopic interhemispheric rsFC in ASD adults/adolescents is already present in children of 5-10 years old and further supports their potential use as a general ASD biomarker. LAY SUMMARY: Homotopic interhemispheric functional connectivity plays an important role in synchronizing activity between the two hemispheres and is altered in adults and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the present study focused on children with ASD, we have observed a similar pattern of decreased homotopic connectivity, suggesting that alterations in homotopic interhemispheric connectivity may occur early in ASD and be a useful general biomarker across ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxia Yao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Menghan Zhou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhongbo Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xi Jiang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaolei Xu
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Benjamin Becker
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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38
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DeMayo MM, Pokorski I, Song YJC, Thapa R, Patel S, Ambarchi Z, Soligo D, Sadeli I, Thomas EE, Hickie IB, Guastella AJ. The Feasibility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Non-Selective Comprehensive Clinical Trial in Pediatric Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:1211-1222. [PMID: 33903957 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05028-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
There is an increasing interest in using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a tool for precision medicine in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study investigated the feasibility of MRI scanning in a large comprehensive, inclusive and test heavy clinical trial for children (aged 3-12 years) with ASD, without functioning constraints for participation. Of the 71 participants enrolled who consented to the MRI, 24 participants (38%) successfully completed an MRI scan at baseline along with other assessments. This scanning followed a familiarization procedure at two preceding visits. At post-treatment, 21 participants successfully completed the MRI scan. This study highlights the challenge of completing MRI assessments in ASD populations when conducted as one of a number of tests in a clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena M DeMayo
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Autism Clinic for Translational Research, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Izabella Pokorski
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Autism Clinic for Translational Research, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Yun J C Song
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Autism Clinic for Translational Research, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Rinku Thapa
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Autism Clinic for Translational Research, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Shrujna Patel
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Autism Clinic for Translational Research, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Zahava Ambarchi
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Autism Clinic for Translational Research, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | | | - Indra Sadeli
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Autism Clinic for Translational Research, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Emma E Thomas
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Autism Clinic for Translational Research, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Ian B Hickie
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Autism Clinic for Translational Research, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Adam J Guastella
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Autism Clinic for Translational Research, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.
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39
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Espenhahn S, Godfrey KJ, Kaur S, Ross M, Nath N, Dmitrieva O, McMorris C, Cortese F, Wright C, Murias K, Dewey D, Protzner AB, McCrimmon A, Bray S, Harris AD. Tactile cortical responses and association with tactile reactivity in young children on the autism spectrum. Mol Autism 2021; 12:26. [PMID: 33794998 PMCID: PMC8017878 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-021-00435-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Unusual behavioral reactions to sensory stimuli are frequently reported in individuals on the autism spectrum (AS). Despite the early emergence of sensory features (< age 3) and their potential impact on development and quality of life, little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying sensory reactivity in early childhood autism. Methods Here, we used electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate tactile cortical processing in young children aged 3–6 years with autism and in neurotypical (NT) children. Scalp EEG was recorded from 33 children with autism, including those with low cognitive and/or verbal abilities, and 45 age- and sex-matched NT children during passive tactile fingertip stimulation. We compared properties of early and later somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) and their adaptation with repetitive stimulation between autistic and NT children and assessed whether these neural measures are linked to “real-world” parent-reported tactile reactivity. Results As expected, we found elevated tactile reactivity in children on the autism spectrum. Our findings indicated no differences in amplitude or latency of early and mid-latency somatosensory-evoked potentials (P50, N80, P100), nor adaptation between autistic and NT children. However, latency of later processing of tactile information (N140) was shorter in young children with autism compared to NT children, suggesting faster processing speed in young autistic children. Further, correlational analyses and exploratory analyses using tactile reactivity as a grouping variable found that enhanced early neural responses were associated with greater tactile reactivity in autism. Limitations The relatively small sample size and the inclusion of a broad range of autistic children (e.g., with low cognitive and/or verbal abilities) may have limited our power to detect subtle group differences and associations. Hence, replications are needed to verify these results. Conclusions Our findings suggest that electrophysiological somatosensory cortex processing measures may be indices of “real-world” tactile reactivity in early childhood autism. Together, these findings advance our understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying tactile reactivity in early childhood autism and, in the clinical context, may have therapeutic implications. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13229-021-00435-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Espenhahn
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada. .,Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. .,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. .,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Kate J Godfrey
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sakshi Kaur
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Maia Ross
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Niloy Nath
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Olesya Dmitrieva
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Carly McMorris
- Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,The Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Filomeno Cortese
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Charlene Wright
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kara Murias
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Deborah Dewey
- Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Andrea B Protzner
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,The Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Adam McCrimmon
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Signe Bray
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.,Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ashley D Harris
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.,Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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40
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Dennis EL, Caeyenberghs K, Asarnow RF, Babikian T, Bartnik-Olson B, Bigler ED, Figaji A, Giza CC, Goodrich-Hunsaker NJ, Hodges CB, Hoskinson KR, Königs M, Levin HS, Lindsey HM, Livny A, Max JE, Merkley TL, Newsome MR, Olsen A, Ryan NP, Spruiell MS, Suskauer SJ, Thomopoulos SI, Ware AL, Watson CG, Wheeler AL, Yeates KO, Zielinski BA, Thompson PM, Tate DF, Wilde EA. Challenges and opportunities for neuroimaging in young patients with traumatic brain injury: a coordinated effort towards advancing discovery from the ENIGMA pediatric moderate/severe TBI group. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 15:555-575. [PMID: 32734437 PMCID: PMC7855317 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-020-00363-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability in children in both developed and developing nations. Children and adolescents suffer from TBI at a higher rate than the general population, and specific developmental issues require a unique context since findings from adult research do not necessarily directly translate to children. Findings in pediatric cohorts tend to lag behind those in adult samples. This may be due, in part, both to the smaller number of investigators engaged in research with this population and may also be related to changes in safety laws and clinical practice that have altered length of hospital stays, treatment, and access to this population. The ENIGMA (Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis) Pediatric Moderate/Severe TBI (msTBI) group aims to advance research in this area through global collaborative meta-analysis of neuroimaging data. In this paper, we discuss important challenges in pediatric TBI research and opportunities that we believe the ENIGMA Pediatric msTBI group can provide to address them. With the paucity of research studies examining neuroimaging biomarkers in pediatric patients with TBI and the challenges of recruiting large numbers of participants, collaborating to improve statistical power and to address technical challenges like lesions will significantly advance the field. We conclude with recommendations for future research in this field of study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Dennis
- TBI and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
- Imaging Genetics Center, Stevens Neuroimaging & Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Marina del Rey, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Karen Caeyenberghs
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Robert F Asarnow
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Talin Babikian
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brenda Bartnik-Olson
- Department of Radiology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Erin D Bigler
- TBI and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Anthony Figaji
- Division of Neurosurgery, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Christopher C Giza
- UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Naomi J Goodrich-Hunsaker
- TBI and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
- George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Cooper B Hodges
- TBI and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
- George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Kristen R Hoskinson
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Marsh Königs
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Emma Neuroscience Group, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harvey S Levin
- H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hannah M Lindsey
- TBI and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
- George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Abigail Livny
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Jeffrey E Max
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Tricia L Merkley
- TBI and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Mary R Newsome
- H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexander Olsen
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Nicholas P Ryan
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Matthew S Spruiell
- H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Stacy J Suskauer
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sophia I Thomopoulos
- Imaging Genetics Center, Stevens Neuroimaging & Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Marina del Rey, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ashley L Ware
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christopher G Watson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Learning Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anne L Wheeler
- Hospital for Sick Children, Neuroscience and Mental Health Program, Toronto, Canada
- Physiology Department, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Keith Owen Yeates
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Departments of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Brandon A Zielinski
- TBI and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Paul M Thompson
- Imaging Genetics Center, Stevens Neuroimaging & Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Marina del Rey, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Radiology, Engineering, and Ophthalmology, USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David F Tate
- TBI and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
- George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health and University of Missouri, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Elisabeth A Wilde
- TBI and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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41
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Damestani NL, O'Daly O, Solana AB, Wiesinger F, Lythgoe DJ, Hill S, de Lara Rubio A, Makovac E, Williams SCR, Zelaya F. Revealing the mechanisms behind novel auditory stimuli discrimination: An evaluation of silent functional MRI using looping star. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:2833-2850. [PMID: 33729637 PMCID: PMC8127154 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Looping Star is a near‐silent, multi‐echo, 3D functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique. It reduces acoustic noise by at least 25dBA, with respect to gradient‐recalled echo echo‐planar imaging (GRE‐EPI)‐based fMRI. Looping Star has successfully demonstrated sensitivity to the cerebral blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent (BOLD) response during block design paradigms but has not been applied to event‐related auditory perception tasks. Demonstrating Looping Star's sensitivity to such tasks could (a) provide new insights into auditory processing studies, (b) minimise the need for invasive ear protection, and (c) facilitate the translation of numerous fMRI studies to investigations in sound‐averse patients. We aimed to demonstrate, for the first time, that multi‐echo Looping Star has sufficient sensitivity to the BOLD response, compared to that of GRE‐EPI, during a well‐established event‐related auditory discrimination paradigm: the “oddball” task. We also present the first quantitative evaluation of Looping Star's test–retest reliability using the intra‐class correlation coefficient. Twelve participants were scanned using single‐echo GRE‐EPI and multi‐echo Looping Star fMRI in two sessions. Random‐effects analyses were performed, evaluating the overall response to tones and differential tone recognition, and intermodality analyses were computed. We found that multi‐echo Looping Star exhibited consistent sensitivity to auditory stimulation relative to GRE‐EPI. However, Looping Star demonstrated lower test–retest reliability in comparison with GRE‐EPI. This could reflect differences in functional sensitivity between the techniques, though further study is necessary with additional cognitive paradigms as varying cognitive strategies between sessions may arise from elimination of acoustic scanner noise.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Owen O'Daly
- Department of Neuroimaging, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Florian Wiesinger
- Department of Neuroimaging, King's College London, London, UK.,ASL Europe, GE Healthcare, Munich, Germany
| | - David J Lythgoe
- Department of Neuroimaging, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Simon Hill
- Department of Neuroimaging, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Elena Makovac
- Department of Neuroimaging, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Fernando Zelaya
- Department of Neuroimaging, King's College London, London, UK
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42
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Barron A, McCarthy CM, O'Keeffe GW. Preeclampsia and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: Potential Pathogenic Roles for Inflammation and Oxidative Stress? Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:2734-2756. [PMID: 33492643 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02290-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a common and serious hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that occurs in approximately 3-5% of first-time pregnancies and is a well-known leading cause of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. In recent years, there has been accumulating evidence that in utero exposure to PE acts as an environmental risk factor for various neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. At present, the mechanism(s) mediating this relationship are uncertain. In this review, we outline the most recent evidence implicating a causal role for PE exposure in the aetiology of various neurodevelopmental disorders and provide a novel interpretation of neuroanatomical alterations in PE-exposed offspring and how these relate to their sub-optimal neurodevelopmental trajectory. We then postulate that inflammation and oxidative stress, two prominent features of the pathophysiology of PE, are likely to play a major role in mediating this association. The increased inflammation in the maternal circulation, placenta and fetal circulation in PE expose the offspring to both prenatal maternal immune activation-a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders, which has been well-characterised in animal models-and directly higher concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which adversely affect neuronal development. Similarly, the exaggerated oxidative stress in the mother, placenta and foetus induces the placenta to secrete factors deleterious to neurons, and exposes the fetal brain to directly elevated oxidative stress and thus adversely affects neurodevelopmental processes. Finally, we describe the interplay between inflammation and oxidative stress in PE, and how both systems interact to potentially alter neurodevelopmental trajectory in exposed offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Barron
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Cathal M McCarthy
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Gerard W O'Keeffe
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College, Cork, Ireland. .,Cork Neuroscience Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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43
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Kuschner ES, Kim M, Bloy L, Dipiero M, Edgar JC, Roberts TPL. MEG-PLAN: a clinical and technical protocol for obtaining magnetoencephalography data in minimally verbal or nonverbal children who have autism spectrum disorder. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:8. [PMID: 33485311 PMCID: PMC7827989 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-020-09350-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroimaging research on individuals who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has historically been limited primarily to those with age-appropriate cognitive and language performance. Children with limited abilities are frequently excluded from such neuroscience research given anticipated barriers like tolerating the loud sounds associated with magnetic resonance imaging and remaining still during data collection. To better understand brain function across the full range of ASD there is a need to (1) include individuals with limited cognitive and language performance in neuroimaging research (non-sedated, awake) and (2) improve data quality across the performance range. The purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and test the feasibility of a clinical/behavioral and technical protocol for obtaining magnetoencephalography (MEG) data. Participants were 38 children with ASD (8-12 years) meeting the study definition of minimally verbal/nonverbal language. MEG data were obtained during a passive pure-tone auditory task. RESULTS Based on stakeholder feedback, the MEG Protocol for Low-language/cognitive Ability Neuroimaging (MEG-PLAN) was developed, integrating clinical/behavioral and technical components to be implemented by an interdisciplinary team (clinicians, behavior specialists, scientists, and technologists). Using MEG-PLAN, a 74% success rate was achieved for acquiring MEG data, with a 71% success rate for evaluable and analyzable data. Exploratory analyses suggested nonverbal IQ and adaptive skills were related to reaching the point of acquirable data. No differences in group characteristics were observed between those with acquirable versus evaluable/analyzable data. Examination of data quality (evaluable trial count) was acceptable. Moreover, results were reproducible, with high intraclass correlation coefficients for pure-tone auditory latency. CONCLUSIONS Children who have ASD who are minimally verbal/nonverbal, and often have co-occurring cognitive impairments, can be effectively and comfortably supported to complete an electrophysiological exam that yields valid and reproducible results. MEG-PLAN is a protocol that can be disseminated and implemented across research teams and adapted across technologies and neurodevelopmental disorders to collect electrophysiology and neuroimaging data in previously understudied groups of individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S Kuschner
- Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 2716 South Street, 5th Floor, Room 5251, Philadelphia, PA, 19146, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Mina Kim
- Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 2716 South Street, 5th Floor, Room 5251, Philadelphia, PA, 19146, USA
| | - Luke Bloy
- Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 2716 South Street, 5th Floor, Room 5251, Philadelphia, PA, 19146, USA
| | - Marissa Dipiero
- Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 2716 South Street, 5th Floor, Room 5251, Philadelphia, PA, 19146, USA
| | - J Christopher Edgar
- Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 2716 South Street, 5th Floor, Room 5251, Philadelphia, PA, 19146, USA
| | - Timothy P L Roberts
- Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 2716 South Street, 5th Floor, Room 5251, Philadelphia, PA, 19146, USA
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Gentle Touch: Noninvasive Approaches to Improve Patient Comfort and Cooperation for Pediatric Imaging. Top Magn Reson Imaging 2021; 29:187-195. [PMID: 32541256 DOI: 10.1097/rmr.0000000000000245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric imaging presents unique challenges related to patient anxiety, cooperation, and safety. Techniques to reduce anxiety and patient motion in adults must often be augmented in pediatrics, because it is always mentioned in the field of pediatrics, children are not miniature adults. This article will review methods that can be considered to improve patient experience and cooperation in imaging studies. Such techniques can range from modifications to the scanner suite, different ways of preparing and interacting with children, collaborating with parents for improved patient care, and technical advances such as accelerated acquisition and motion correction to reduce artifact. Special considerations for specific populations including transgender patients, neonates, and pregnant women undergoing fetal imaging will be described. The unique risks of sedation in children will also be briefly reviewed.
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45
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Emberti Gialloreti L, Enea R, Di Micco V, Di Giovanni D, Curatolo P. Clustering Analysis Supports the Detection of Biological Processes Related to Autism Spectrum Disorder. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11121476. [PMID: 33316975 PMCID: PMC7763205 DOI: 10.3390/genes11121476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome sequencing has identified a large number of putative autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk genes, revealing possible disrupted biological pathways; however, the genetic and environmental underpinnings of ASD remain mostly unanswered. The presented methodology aimed to identify genetically related clusters of ASD individuals. By using the VariCarta dataset, which contains data retrieved from 13,069 people with ASD, we compared patients pairwise to build “patient similarity matrices”. Hierarchical-agglomerative-clustering and heatmapping were performed, followed by enrichment analysis (EA). We analyzed whole-genome sequencing retrieved from 2062 individuals, and isolated 11,609 genetic variants shared by at least two people. The analysis yielded three clusters, composed, respectively, by 574 (27.8%), 507 (24.6%), and 650 (31.5%) individuals. Overall, 4187 variants (36.1%) were common to the three clusters. The EA revealed that the biological processes related to the shared genetic variants were mainly involved in neuron projection guidance and morphogenesis, cell junctions, synapse assembly, and in observational, imitative, and vocal learning. The study highlighted genetic networks, which were more frequent in a sample of people with ASD, compared to the overall population. We suggest that itemizing not only single variants, but also gene networks, might support ASD etiopathology research. Future work on larger databases will have to ascertain the reproducibility of this methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Roberto Enea
- IMME Research Centre, Via Giotto 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
| | - Valentina Di Micco
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Systems Medicine Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (V.D.M.); (P.C.)
| | - Daniele Di Giovanni
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Paolo Curatolo
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Systems Medicine Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (V.D.M.); (P.C.)
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46
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Reliability map of individual differences reflected in inter-subject correlation in naturalistic imaging. Neuroimage 2020; 223:117277. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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Tziraki M, Garg S, Harrison E, Wright NB, Hawkes R, Akhtar K, Green J, Stivaros S. A Neuroimaging Preparation Protocol Tailored for Autism. Autism Res 2020; 14:65-74. [PMID: 33150732 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes the key basic elements required for a successful multi-parametric MRI data acquisition in awake children with autism. The procedure was designed by taking into account methodological challenges arising from the acquisition of Resting State fMRI (RS fMRI) data, and factors such as cost, time, and staff availability. The ultimate aim was to prepare an imaging preparation protocol with high transferability to the whole autism spectrum, adaptable for use in a multi-site research with multiple time points. As part of a randomized pharmaco-intervention study, 31 children aged 4-10 years with Neurofibromatosis 1 and autism underwent MR imaging at baseline and end of intervention. The protocol consisted of tailored habituation instructions including gradual exposure to scanner noise, a social stories booklet, positive incentive strategies, and Play Therapy support. Success rate for initial acquisition was 71% for GABA+ MR spectroscopy at either location, 87% for perfusion, and 67% for diffusion assessment, and 71% for RS fMRI. Qualitative data indicated that 84% parents found the habituation protocol helpful. LAY SUMMARY: Here we describe a protocol for brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tailored for children with ASD to help reduce stress and avoid sedation during scanning. This procedure can make advanced medical imaging more accessible and promote a better MRI experience for families of children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tziraki
- Psychology Department, CITY College, International Faculty of the University of Sheffield, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Shruti Garg
- Division of Neuroscience & Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Emma Harrison
- NIHR Clinical Research Facility, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Neville B Wright
- Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Rob Hawkes
- Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Kapasi Akhtar
- Division of Neuroscience & Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jonathan Green
- Division of Neuroscience & Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Stavros Stivaros
- Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.,Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester & Academic Unit of Paediatric Radiology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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48
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Vandewouw MM, Dunkley BT, Lerch JP, Anagnostou E, Taylor MJ. Characterizing Inscapes and resting-state in MEG: Effects in typical and atypical development. Neuroimage 2020; 225:117524. [PMID: 33147510 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Examining the brain at rest is a powerful approach used to understand the intrinsic properties of typical and disordered human brain function, yet task-free paradigms are associated with greater head motion, particularly in young and/or clinical populations such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Inscapes, a non-social and non-verbal movie paradigm, has been introduced to increase attention, thus mitigating head motion, while reducing the task-induced activations found during typical movie watching. Inscapes has not yet been validated for use in magnetoencephalography (MEG), and it has yet to be shown whether its effects are stable in clinical populations. Across typically developing (N = 32) children and adolescents and those with ASD (N = 46) and ADHD (N = 42), we demonstrate that head motion is reduced during Inscapes. Due to the task state evoked by movie paradigms, we also expectedly observed concomitant modulations in local neural activity (oscillatory power) and functional connectivity (phase and envelope coupling) in intrinsic resting-state networks and across the frequency spectra compared to a fixation cross resting-state. Increases in local activity were accompanied by decreases in low-frequency connectivity within and between resting-state networks, primarily the visual network, suggesting that task-state evoked by Inscapes moderates ongoing and spontaneous cortical inhibition that forms the idling intrinsic networks found during a fixation cross resting-state. Importantly, these effects were similar in ASD and ADHD, making Inscapes a well-suited advancement for investigations of resting brain function in young and clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlee M Vandewouw
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada; Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Benjamin T Dunkley
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada; Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada; Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Margot J Taylor
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada; Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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49
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Tang S, Xu Y, Liu X, Chen Z, Zhou Y, Nie L, He L. Quantitative susceptibility mapping shows lower brain iron content in children with autism. Eur Radiol 2020; 31:2073-2083. [PMID: 32945969 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-020-07267-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the application of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) of brain iron content in children with autism. METHODS For the control group, 40 normal children aged 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, and 5-6 years were prospectively selected from June 2018 to December 2018, with equal numbers of males and females in each age group. For the study group, 40 children with autism aged 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, and 5-6 years were prospectively selected from January 2019 to October 2019; once again, there were equal numbers of males and females in each age group. All children received routine head MRI scans and enhanced T2*-weighted angiography (ESWAN) sequence scans, and the ESWAN sequence images were processed by software to obtain magnetic susceptibility maps. The regions of interest (ROIs) of the frontal white matter, frontal gray matter, thalamus, red nucleus, substantia nigra, dentate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen nucleus, caudate nucleus, pons, and splenium of the corpus callosum were selected, and the magnetic susceptibility values were measured. The differences in magnetic susceptibility between the two groups were compared in children at the same age. RESULTS For the children aged 2-3 years, the magnetic susceptibility values in the caudate nucleus, dentate nucleus, and splenium of the corpus callosum in the study group were lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). For the children aged 3-4, 4-5, and 5-6 years, the magnetic susceptibility values in the frontal white matter, caudate nucleus, red nucleus, substantia nigra, dentate nucleus, and splenium of the corpus callosum in the study group were lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The brain iron content of children with autism is lower than that of normal children. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study protocol was registered at the Chinese clinical trial registry (registration number: ChiCTR2000029699; http://www.chictr.org.cn/searchprojen.aspx ). KEY POINTS • In this study, the brain iron content of normal children and children with autism was compared to identify the differences, which provided a new objective basis for the early diagnosis of children with autism. • This study examined the iron content values in various brain regions of normal children aged 2-6 years in this region and established a reference range for iron content in various brain regions of normal children in one geographical area, providing a reliable and objective standard for the diagnosis and treatment of some brain diseases in children. • The results of this study indicate that the brain iron content of preschool children with autism is lower than that of normal preschool children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilong Tang
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Ye Xu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xianfan Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lisha Nie
- GE Healthcare, MR Research China, Beijing, China
| | - Ling He
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.
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50
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Espenhahn S, Yan T, Beltrano W, Kaur S, Godfrey K, Cortese F, Bray S, Harris AD. The effect of movie-watching on electroencephalographic responses to tactile stimulation. Neuroimage 2020; 220:117130. [PMID: 32622982 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Movie-watching is becoming a popular acquisition method to increase compliance and enable neuroimaging data collection in challenging populations such as children, with potential to facilitate studying the somatosensory system. However, relatively little is known about the possible crossmodal (audiovisual) influence of movies on cortical somatosensory processing. In this study, we examined the impact of dynamic audiovisual movies on concurrent cortical somatosensory processing using electroencephalography (EEG). Forty healthy young adults (18-25 years) received passive tactile fingertip stimulation while watching an "entertaining" movie and a novel "low-demand" movie called 'Inscapes' compared to eyes-open rest. Watching a movie did not modulate properties of early or late somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs). Similarly, no crossmodal influence on somatosensory adaptation, denoted by a reduction in SEP amplitude with repetitive tactile stimulation, was found. The prominent oscillatory responses in the alpha and beta frequency bands following tactile stimulation differed as a function of viewing condition, with stronger alpha/beta event-related desynchronization (ERD) during movie-watching compared to rest. These findings highlight that movie-watching is a valid acquisition method during which SEPs can be measured in basic research and clinical studies, but that the attentional demands of movies need to be taken into account when performing oscillatory analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Espenhahn
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Tingting Yan
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Winnica Beltrano
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sakshi Kaur
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kate Godfrey
- Department of Neuroscience, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Filomeno Cortese
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Signe Bray
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ashley D Harris
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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