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Batouli SAH, Razavi F, Sisakhti M, Oghabian Z, Ahmadzade H, Tehrani Doost M. Examining the Dominant Presence of Brain Grey Matter in Autism During Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Basic Clin Neurosci 2023; 14:585-604. [PMID: 38628837 PMCID: PMC11016874 DOI: 10.32598/bcn.2021.1774.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with symptoms appearing from early childhood. Behavioral modifications, special education, and medicines are used to treat ASD; however, the effectiveness of the treatments depends on early diagnosis of the disorder. The primary approach in diagnosing ASD is based on clinical interviews and valid scales. Still, methods based on brain imaging could also be possible diagnostic biomarkers for ASD. Methods To identify the amount of information the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reveals on ASD, we reviewed 292 task-based fMRI studies on ASD individuals. This study is part of a systematic review with the registration number CRD42017070975. Results We observed that face perception, language, attention, and social processing tasks were mainly studied in ASD. In addition, 73 brain regions, nearly 83% of brain grey matter, showed an altered activation between the ASD and normal individuals during these four tasks, either in a lower or a higher activation. Conclusion Using imaging methods, such as fMRI, to diagnose and predict ASD is a great objective; research similar to the present study could be the initial step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Amir Hossein Batouli
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Neuroimaging and Analysis Group, Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Foroogh Razavi
- Neuroimaging and Analysis Group, Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Minoo Sisakhti
- Neuroimaging and Analysis Group, Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Institute for Cognitive Sciences Studies, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeinab Oghabian
- Neuroimaging and Analysis Group, Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haady Ahmadzade
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Neuroimaging and Analysis Group, Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Tehrani Doost
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, Roozbeh Psychiatry Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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2
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Billeci L, Callara AL, Guiducci L, Prosperi M, Morales MA, Calderoni S, Muratori F, Santocchi E. A randomized controlled trial into the effects of probiotics on electroencephalography in preschoolers with autism. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2023; 27:117-132. [PMID: 35362336 PMCID: PMC9806478 DOI: 10.1177/13623613221082710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT This study investigates the effects of a probiotic on preschoolers' brain electrical activity with autism spectrum disorder. Autism is a disorder with an increasing prevalence characterized by an enormous individual, family, and social cost. Although the etiology of autism spectrum disorder is unknown, an interaction between genetic and environmental factors is implicated, converging in altered brain synaptogenesis and, therefore, connectivity. Besides deepening the knowledge on the resting brain electrical activity that characterizes this disorder, this study allows analyzing the positive central effects of a 6-month therapy with a probiotic through a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study and the correlations between electroencephalography activity and biochemical and clinical parameters. In subjects treated with probiotics, we observed a decrease of power in frontopolar regions in beta and gamma bands, and increased coherence in the same bands together with a shift in frontal asymmetry, which suggests a modification toward a typical brain activity. Electroencephalography measures were significantly correlated with clinical and biochemical measures. These findings support the importance of further investigations on probiotics' benefits in autism spectrum disorder to better elucidate mechanistic links between probiotics supplementation and changes in brain activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Billeci
- Institute of Clinical Physiology,
National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Letizia Guiducci
- Institute of Clinical Physiology,
National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Margherita Prosperi
- Department of Developmental
Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy,Margherita Prosperi, Department of
Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, viale del Tirreno
331, 56128 Calambrone (PI), Italy.
| | | | - Sara Calderoni
- Department of Developmental
Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy,Department of Clinical and Experimental
Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- Department of Developmental
Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy,Department of Clinical and Experimental
Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisa Santocchi
- UFSMIA zona Valle del Serchio, Azienda
USL Toscana Nord Ovest, Castelnuovo Garfagnana (LU), Italy
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3
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Lin XB, Lim CG, Lee TS. Social Deficits or Interactional Differences? Interrogating Perspectives on Social Functioning in Autism. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:823736. [PMID: 35546922 PMCID: PMC9084456 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.823736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Social dysfunction is a key characteristic of autism. Determining and treating autism-related social deficits have been challenging. The medical model views interpersonal difficulties in autism as a localized set of deficits to be managed, whereas the neurodiversity movement calls for the accommodation of differences by the larger community. One common assumption underlying these perspectives is a misalignment in social behaviors between autistic individuals and neurotypicals. This paper reviews and interrogates current perspectives on social functioning in autism to uncover the intricacies of such a notion. Even though extant literature has alluded to a misalignment in social behaviors between autistic and neurotypical individuals, it is uncertain where this disparity lies. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangting Bernice Lin
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Choon Guan Lim
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tih-Shih Lee
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Psychiatry, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
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4
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Zhang Q, Wu R, Zhu S, Le J, Chen Y, Lan C, Yao S, Zhao W, Kendrick KM. Facial emotion training as an intervention in autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Autism Res 2021; 14:2169-2182. [PMID: 34286900 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A large number of computer-based training programs have been developed as an intervention to help individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) improve their facial emotion recognition ability, as well as social skills. However, it is unclear to what extent these facial emotion training programs can produce beneficial, long-lasting, and generalizable results. Using standard meta-analytic techniques, we investigated the effects of facial emotion training including generalization and maintenance restricted to randomized control trial studies comprising a total of 595 individuals with ASD. Our findings revealed that the intervention resulted in a robust improvement in emotion recognition for individuals receiving training compared with controls. However, while there was also some evidence for generalization of training effects, the small number of studies which conducted follow-ups and assessed social skills reported that improvements were not maintained and there was no evidence for general improvement in social skills. Overall, the analysis revealed a medium effect size in training improvement indicating that facial emotion training may be an effective method for enhancing emotion recognition skills in ASD although more studies are required to assess maintenance of effects and possible general improvements in social skills. LAY SUMMARY: Facial emotion training as an intervention may be a potential way to help improve emotion recognition in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), however robust empirical support for its efficacy has not been sufficiently established. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of previous studies to summarize the effects of facial emotion training on ASD. Our results show that the training produces a robust improvement in subsequent emotion recognition, while maintenance and generalization effects still need further investigation. To date, no experimentally verified improvements in social skills have been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Zhang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Renjing Wu
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Siyu Zhu
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiao Le
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuanshu Chen
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunmei Lan
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuxia Yao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Weihua Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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5
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Esposito CM, Buoli M, Ciappolino V, Agostoni C, Brambilla P. The Role of Cholesterol and Fatty Acids in the Etiology and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073550. [PMID: 33805572 PMCID: PMC8036564 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders whose pathogenesis seems to be related to an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory synapses, which leads to disrupted connectivity during brain development. Among the various biomarkers that have been evaluated in the last years, metabolic factors represent a bridge between genetic vulnerability and environmental aspects. In particular, cholesterol homeostasis and circulating fatty acids seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of ASDs, both through the contribute in the stabilization of cell membranes and the modulation of inflammatory factors. The purpose of the present review is to summarize the available data about the role of cholesterol and fatty acids, mainly long-chain ones, in the onset of ASDs. A bibliographic research on the main databases was performed and 36 studies were included in our review. Most of the studies document a correlation between ASDs and hypocholesterolemia, while the results concerning circulating fatty acids are less univocal. Even though further studies are necessary to confirm the available data, the metabolic biomarkers open to new treatment options such as the modulation of the lipid pattern through the diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Maria Esposito
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.M.E.); (M.B.); (V.C.); (P.B.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Buoli
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.M.E.); (M.B.); (V.C.); (P.B.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Ciappolino
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.M.E.); (M.B.); (V.C.); (P.B.)
| | - Carlo Agostoni
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Pediatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Paolo Brambilla
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.M.E.); (M.B.); (V.C.); (P.B.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
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6
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Early screening of autism spectrum disorder using cry features. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241690. [PMID: 33301502 PMCID: PMC7728261 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The increase in the number of children with autism and the importance of early autism intervention has prompted researchers to perform automatic and early autism screening. Consequently, in the present paper, a cry-based screening approach for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is introduced which would provide both early and automatic screening. During the study, we realized that ASD specific features are not necessarily observable in all children with ASD and in all instances collected from each child. Therefore, we proposed a new classification approach to be able to determine such features and their corresponding instances. To test the proposed approach a set of data relating to children between 18 to 53 months which had been recorded using high-quality voice recording devices and typical smartphones at various locations such as homes and daycares was studied. Then, after preprocessing, the approach was used to train a classifier, using data for 10 boys with ASD and 10 Typically Developed (TD) boys. The trained classifier was tested on the data of 14 boys and 7 girls with ASD and 14 TD boys and 7 TD girls. The sensitivity, specificity, and precision of the proposed approach for boys were 85.71%, 100%, and 92.85%, respectively. These measures were 71.42%, 100%, and 85.71% for girls, respectively. It was shown that the proposed approach outperforms the common classification methods. Furthermore, it demonstrated better results than the studies which used voice features for screening ASD. To pilot the practicality of the proposed approach for early autism screening, the trained classifier was tested on 57 participants between 10 to 18 months. These 57 participants consisted of 28 boys and 29 girls and the results were very encouraging for the use of the approach in early ASD screening.
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7
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Sperati V, Özcan B, Romano L, Moretta T, Scaffaro S, Faedda N, Turturo G, Fioriello F, Pelosi S, Giovannone F, Sogos C, Guidetti V, Baldassarre G. Acceptability of the Transitional Wearable Companion "+ me" in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comparative Pilot Study. Front Psychol 2020; 11:951. [PMID: 32547445 PMCID: PMC7270338 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
+me is an experimental interactive soft toy, looking like a panda, developed for young children. When touched on the paws or head (inputs), the toy can emit attractive responses such as colored lights and amusing sounds (outputs). +me is wirelessly connected to a control tablet through which an adult caregiver can modify its input-output contingencies so as to produce different, rewarding response patterns using the same device. Given these features, we propose +me as a potential novel tool to support the therapy of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The allure of the device could be exploited to capture the attention and encourage the social interaction of toddlers during play activities with therapists. In this pilot study, +me was tested on two small groups of children aged 30–48 months, one group diagnosed with ASD and the second with Communication Disorder, a condition that often presents—especially at an early age—overlapping symptoms with ASD. The proposed play activities aimed to foster simple imitative behaviors and stimulate the engagement of the children. The results were compared with those of a previous test run on Typically Developed children. Preliminary observations, based on the analysis of video recordings, suggest that, on average, +me is able to encourage a positive engagement and that different groups tend to manifest some different behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Sperati
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, ISTC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Beste Özcan
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, ISTC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Romano
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, ISTC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Tania Moretta
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Simone Scaffaro
- Italian Neurotraumatological Institute, INI-Villa Dante Division, Rome, Italy
| | - Noemi Faedda
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Giada Turturo
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Fioriello
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Pelosi
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Giovannone
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Sogos
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Guidetti
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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8
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Thomas MSC, Fedor A, Davis R, Yang J, Alireza H, Charman T, Masterson J, Best W. Computational modeling of interventions for developmental disorders. Psychol Rev 2019; 126:693-726. [PMID: 31169397 PMCID: PMC6776073 DOI: 10.1037/rev0000151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
We evaluate the potential of connectionist models of developmental disorders to offer insights into the efficacy of interventions. Based on a range of computational simulation results, we assess factors that influence the effectiveness of interventions for reading, language, and other cognitive developmental disorders. The analysis provides a level of mechanistic detail that is generally lacking in behavioral approaches to intervention. We review an extended program of modeling work in four sections. In the first, we consider long-term outcomes and the possibility of compensated outcomes and resolution of early delays. In the second section, we address methods to remediate atypical development in a single network. In the third section, we address interventions to encourage compensation via alternative pathways. In the final section, we consider the key issue of individual differences in response to intervention. Together with advances in understanding the neural basis of developmental disorders and neural responses to training, formal computational approaches can spur theoretical progress to narrow the gap between the theory and practice of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Fedor
- MTA-ELTE Theoretical Biology and Evolutionary Ecology Research Group
| | | | | | | | - Tony Charman
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience
| | | | - Wendy Best
- Division of Psychology & Language Sciences
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9
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Serati M, Delvecchio G, Orsenigo G, Mandolini GM, Lazzaretti M, Scola E, Triulzi F, Brambilla P. The Role of the Subplate in Schizophrenia and Autism: A Systematic Review. Neuroscience 2019; 408:58-67. [PMID: 30930130 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.03.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The subplate (SP) represents a transitory cytoarchitectural fetal compartment containing most subcortical and cortico-cortical afferents, and has a fundamental role in the structural development of the healthy adult brain. There is evidence that schizophrenia and autism may be determined by developmental defects in the cortex or cortical circuitry during the earliest stages of pregnancy. This article provides an overview on fetal SP development, considering its role in schizophrenia and autism, as supported by a systematic review of the main databases. The SP has been described as a cortical amplifier with a role in the coordination of cortical activity, and sensitive growth and migration windows have crucial consequences with respect to cognitive functioning. Although there are not enough studies to draw final conclusions, improved knowledge of the SP's role in schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders may help to elucidate and possibly prevent the onset of these two severe disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Serati
- Department of Mental Health, ASST Rhodense, Rho, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Delvecchio
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Orsenigo
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Gian Mario Mandolini
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Lazzaretti
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Scola
- Department of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Triulzi
- Department of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Brambilla
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, University of Texas at Houston, TX, USA
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10
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Sperati V, Özcan B, Romano L, Scaffaro S, Moretta T, Turturo G, Aliberti MN, Guidetti V, Baldassarre G. Acceptability of the Transitional Wearable Companion "+me" in Typical Children: A Pilot Study. Front Psychol 2019; 10:125. [PMID: 30800083 PMCID: PMC6375895 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This work presents the results of the first experimentation of +me-the first prototype of Transitional Wearable Companion-run on 15 typically developed (TD) children with ages between 8 and 34 months. +me is an interactive device that looks like a teddy bear that can be worn around the neck, has touch sensors, can emit appealing lights and sounds, and has input-output contingencies that can be regulated with a tablet via Bluetooth. The participants were engaged in social play activities involving both the device and an adult experimenter. +me was designed with the objective of exploiting its intrinsic allure as an attractive toy to stimulate social interactions (e.g., eye contact, turn taking, imitation, social smiles), an aspect potentially helpful in the therapy of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The main purpose of this preliminary study is to evaluate the general acceptability of the toy by TD children, observing the elicited behaviors in preparation for future experiments involving children with ASD and other PDD. First observations, based on video recording and scoring, show that +me stimulates good social engagement in TD children, especially when their age is higher than 24 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Sperati
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie della Cognizione, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISTC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Beste Özcan
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie della Cognizione, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISTC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Romano
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie della Cognizione, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISTC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Scaffaro
- INI-Villa Dante Division, Italian Neurotraumatological Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Tania Moretta
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Giada Turturo
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Guidetti
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Baldassarre
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie della Cognizione, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISTC-CNR), Rome, Italy
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11
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Kaku SM, Jayashankar A, Girimaji SC, Bansal S, Gohel S, Bharath RD, Srinath S. Early childhood network alterations in severe autism. Asian J Psychiatr 2019; 39:114-119. [PMID: 30610990 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2018.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the differences in whole brain topology and connectivity in 17 children of the ages 3-8 years across severity of ASD, we performed resting state fMRI using a 3T MRI scanner and graph theoretical analysis of networks. METHOD Patients were partitioned into two cohorts based on the severity of ASD, determined using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores (Mild, 30-36; Severe, 37+). Standard preprocessing pipeline was used, followed by independent component analysis (ICA) to identify regions of interest (ROIs) to construct subject-specific Z-correlation matrices representing the whole brain network. Following which, graph theory measures were calculated in the range of sparsity 6%-35% and statistically analyzed, and corrected for significance (FDR corrected, p < 0.05). Regional clustering coefficient that revealed significant between-group (mild vs. severe) differences were correlated against clinical scores (CARS). RESULTS Children with severe ASD revealed significantly increased clustering coefficient and small-worldness compared to those with mild or moderate ASD. Region of interest analysis revealed altered clustering in the Heschl's gyrus that significantly correlated with CARS scores. CONCLUSION The findings from the current study provide early stage evidence of aberrant brain connectivity appearing in severe ASD, prior to the effect of environmental bias and pruning mechanisms. The clustering of the Heschl's gyrus correlated to the severity of ASD symptoms and agrees with current literature on ASD-associated cortical changes, reflecting early changes to language processing regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sowmyashree Mayur Kaku
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Aditya Jayashankar
- Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Satish Chandra Girimaji
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Sonia Bansal
- Department of Neuroanaesthesia and Neuro-Critical Care, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Suril Gohel
- Department of Health Informatics, School of Health Professions, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Rose Dawn Bharath
- Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
| | - Shoba Srinath
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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12
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Izadi-Najafabadi S, Rinat S, Zwicker JG. Rehabilitation-induced brain changes detected through magnetic resonance imaging in children with neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review. Int J Dev Neurosci 2018; 73:66-82. [PMID: 30550748 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to systematically review evidence about rehabilitation-induced neuroplasticity measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. METHOD The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Two independent reviewers screened articles according to inclusion criteria: (1) peer-review study published in a scientific journal; (2) studies that evaluated a rehabilitation-based intervention; (3) participants aged less than 19 years with a neurodevelopmental disorder; and (4) studies that used at least one MRI modality as an outcome measure. Twenty-seven studies met the criteria for the review and their quality was assessed by two independent reviewers using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool. RESULTS Based on an assessment of bias and overall quality, 11% of the papers were rated as strong; 30% moderate; and 59% weak. Outcomes were categorized into structural connectivity, functional connectivity, cortical activation, and structural volume. Cortical activation and structural connectivity were the most commonly reported measures. Most studies were able to identify brain changes in children with neurodevelopmental disorders after therapy. INTERPRETATIONS Rehabilitation is shown to induce MRI-detectable neuroplastic changes in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Structural connectivity might need greater intensity and/or duration of intervention to induce change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Izadi-Najafabadi
- Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Shie Rinat
- Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jill G Zwicker
- Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, Vancouver, Canada.
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13
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Pujol CN, Pellissier LP, Clément C, Becker JAJ, Le Merrer J. Back-translating behavioral intervention for autism spectrum disorders to mice with blunted reward restores social abilities. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:197. [PMID: 30242222 PMCID: PMC6155047 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0247-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The mu opioid receptor (MOR) plays a critical role in modulating social behavior in humans and animals. Accordingly, MOR null mice display severe alterations in their social repertoire as well as multiple other behavioral deficits, recapitulating core and secondary symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Such behavioral profile suggests that MOR dysfunction, and beyond this, altered reward processes may contribute to ASD etiopathology. Interestingly, the only treatments that proved efficacy in relieving core symptoms of ASD, early behavioral intervention programs, rely principally on positive reinforcement to ameliorate behavior. The neurobiological underpinnings of their beneficial effects, however, remain poorly understood. Here we back-translated applied behavior analysis (ABA)-based behavioral interventions to mice lacking the MOR (Oprm1-/-), as a model of autism with blunted reward processing. By associating a positive reinforcement, palatable food reward, to daily encounter with a wild-type congener, we were able to rescue durably social interaction and preference in Oprm1-/- mice. Along with behavioral improvements, the expression of marker genes of neuronal activity and plasticity as well as genes of the oxytocin/vasopressin system were remarkably normalized in the reward/social circuitry. Our study provides further evidence for a critical involvement of reward processes in driving social behavior and opens new perspectives regarding therapeutic intervention in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille N. Pujol
- 0000 0001 2157 9291grid.11843.3fMédecine Translationelle et Neurogénétique, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Inserm U-964, CNRS UMR-7104, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France ,0000 0004 0383 2080grid.461890.2Present Address: Département de Neurosciences, Institut de Génomique fonctionnelle, Inserm U-661, CNRS UMR 5203, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | - Lucie P. Pellissier
- 0000 0001 2182 6141grid.12366.30Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRA UMR-0085, CNRS UMR-7247, IFCE, Université de Tours, Inserm, Nouzilly, France ,0000 0004 0383 2080grid.461890.2Present Address: Département de Neurosciences, Institut de Génomique fonctionnelle, Inserm U-661, CNRS UMR 5203, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | - Céline Clément
- 0000 0001 2157 9291grid.11843.3fLaboratoire Interuniversitaire en Sciences de l’Education et de la Communication, EA 2310, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jérôme A. J. Becker
- 0000 0001 2157 9291grid.11843.3fMédecine Translationelle et Neurogénétique, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Inserm U-964, CNRS UMR-7104, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France ,0000 0001 2182 6141grid.12366.30Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRA UMR-0085, CNRS UMR-7247, IFCE, Université de Tours, Inserm, Nouzilly, France ,0000 0004 0383 2080grid.461890.2Present Address: Département de Neurosciences, Institut de Génomique fonctionnelle, Inserm U-661, CNRS UMR 5203, 34094 Montpellier, France
| | - Julie Le Merrer
- Médecine Translationelle et Neurogénétique, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Inserm U-964, CNRS UMR-7104, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France. .,Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRA UMR-0085, CNRS UMR-7247, IFCE, Université de Tours, Inserm, Nouzilly, France.
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14
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A systematic review of structural MRI biomarkers in autism spectrum disorder: A machine learning perspective. Int J Dev Neurosci 2018; 71:68-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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15
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Makinodan M, Okumura K, Ikawa D, Yamashita Y, Yamamuro K, Toritsuka M, Kimoto S, Yamauchi T, Komori T, Kayashima Y, Yoshino H, Wanaka A, Kishimoto T. Effects of cross-rearing with social peers on myelination in the medial prefrontal cortex of a mouse model with autism spectrum disorder. Heliyon 2017; 3:e00468. [PMID: 29234739 PMCID: PMC5717317 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2017.e00468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, poor communication skills, and repetitive/restrictive behaviors. Recent studies have indicated that early rehabilitative intervention can alleviate the symptoms of individuals with ASD. However, it remains unknown whether rehabilitative intervention can restore brain structures such as myelin, which generally shows abnormalities in individuals with ASD. Therefore, in the present study, we used a mouse model of ASD (BTBR mice) that demonstrated asocial behaviors and hypomyelination in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to investigate whether interaction with social peers (C57BL/6J mice) has an effect on myelination. We found that housing with C57BL/6J mice after weaning through adulthood increased the myelin thickness in mPFC, but not in the motor cortex, of BTBR mice. There was no effect of cross-rearing with C57BL/6J mice on axon diameter in mPFC of BTBR mice. This finding suggests that early rehabilitative intervention may alleviate myelin abnormalities in mPFC as well as clinical symptoms in individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Makinodan
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Kazuki Okumura
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Daisuke Ikawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Yasunori Yamashita
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Yamamuro
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Michihiro Toritsuka
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Sohei Kimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Takahira Yamauchi
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Takashi Komori
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Kayashima
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Hiroki Yoshino
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Akio Wanaka
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Kishimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
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16
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Maximo JO, Murdaugh DL, O'Kelley S, Kana RK. Changes in intrinsic local connectivity after reading intervention in children with autism. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2017; 175:11-17. [PMID: 28869842 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2017] [Revised: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Most of the existing behavioral and cognitive intervention programs in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have not been tested at the neurobiological level, thus falling short of finding quantifiable neurobiological changes underlying behavioral improvement. The current study takes a translational neuroimaging approach to test the impact of a structured visual imagery-based reading intervention on improving reading comprehension and assessing its underlying local neural circuitry. Behavioral and resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data were collected from children with ASD who were randomly assigned to an Experimental group (ASD-EXP; n=14) and a Wait-list control group (ASD-WLC; n=14). Participants went through an established reading intervention training program (Visualizing and Verbalizing for language comprehension and thinking or V/V; 4-h per day, 10-weeks, 200h of face-to-face instruction). Local functional connectivity was examined using a connection density approach from graph theory focusing on brain areas considered part of the Reading Network. The main results are as follows: (I) the ASD-EXP group showed significant improvement, compared to the ASD-WLC group, in their reading comprehension ability evidenced from change in comprehension scores; (II) the ASD-EXP group showed increased local brain connectivity in Reading Network regions compared to the ASD-WLC group post-intervention; (III) intervention-related changes in local brain connectivity were observed in the ASD-EXP from pre to post-intervention; and (IV) improvement in language comprehension significantly predicted changes in local connectivity. The findings of this study provide novel insights into brain plasticity in children with developmental disorders using targeted intervention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose O Maximo
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Donna L Murdaugh
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah O'Kelley
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rajesh K Kana
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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17
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Billeci L, Narzisi A, Tonacci A, Sbriscia-Fioretti B, Serasini L, Fulceri F, Apicella F, Sicca F, Calderoni S, Muratori F. An integrated EEG and eye-tracking approach for the study of responding and initiating joint attention in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13560. [PMID: 29051506 PMCID: PMC5648821 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13053-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterised by impairment in joint attention (JA), which has two components: the response to JA and the initiation of JA. Literature suggests a correlation between JA and neural circuitries, although this link is still largely unexplored in ASD. In this pilot study, we aimed at investigating the neural correlates of responding and initiating JA in high-functioning children with ASD and evaluating the changes in brain function and visual pattern after six months of rehabilitative treatment using an integrated EEG/eye-tracking system. Our results showed that initiating and responding JA subtend both overlapping (i.e. frontal and temporal) and specialized (i.e. parietal for responding JA and occipital for initiating JA) neural circuitries. In addition, in a subgroup of subjects, we observed trends of changes in both brain activity and connectivity after rehabilitative treatment in both the two tasks, which were correlated with modifications in gaze measures. These preliminary results, if confirmed in a larger sample, suggest the feasibility of using the proposed multimodal approach to characterise JA-related brain circuitries and visual pattern in ASD individuals and to monitor longitudinal changes in response to rehabilitative intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Billeci
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Antonio Narzisi
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56018, Calambrone, (PI), Italy
| | - Alessandro Tonacci
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Luca Serasini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Fulceri
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56018, Calambrone, (PI), Italy
| | - Fabio Apicella
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56018, Calambrone, (PI), Italy
| | - Federico Sicca
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56018, Calambrone, (PI), Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56018, Calambrone, (PI), Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, via Savi 10, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56018, Calambrone, (PI), Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, via Savi 10, 56126, Pisa, Italy
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18
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Murdaugh DL, Maximo JO, Cordes CE, O'Kelley SE, Kana RK. From word reading to multisentence comprehension: Improvements in brain activity in children with autism after reading intervention. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2017; 16:303-312. [PMID: 28856093 PMCID: PMC5565787 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2017.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Children with ASD show a unique reading profile characterized by decoding abilities equivalent to verbal abilities, but with lower comprehension skills. Neuroimaging studies have found recruitment of regions primarily associated with visual processing (e.g., fusiform gyrus and medial parietal cortex), but reduced activation in frontal and temporal regions, when reading in adults with ASD. The purpose of this study was to assess neural changes associated with an intense reading intervention program in children with ASD using three fMRI tasks of reading. Methods 25 children with ASD were randomly assigned to a treatment (ASD-EXP) or waitlist group (ASD-WLC). Children participated in a reading intervention program (4-hour sessions per day, 5 days a week for 10 weeks). We utilized three tasks: word, sentence, and multisentence processing, each with differential demands of reading comprehension. fMRI data were acquired at each of two scanning sessions 10-weeks apart. Results Across tasks, post-intervention results revealed that the ASD-EXP group showed greater activation in bilateral precentral gyrus and the postcentral gyrus, visual processing regions (e.g., occipital cortex, fusiform gyrus), and frontal regions. In the word task, left thalamus and the right angular gyrus (AG) activation was unique to the ASD-EXP group post-intervention. Sentence tasks showed differential activation of core language areas (e.g., IFG, IPL) post-intervention. Conclusions Our results provide evidence for differential recruitment of brain regions based on task demands in children with ASD, and support the potential of targeted interventions to alter brain activation in response to positive gains in treatment. Children with ASD have a different reading profile from other reading disorders that needs to be specifically targeted in interventions.
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Key Words
- ADI, Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised
- ADOS, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
- ASD, autism spectrum disorder
- ASD-EXP, children with ASD in the treatment group
- ASD-WLC, children with ASD in the waitlist control group
- Children with ASD
- GORT-4, Gray Oral Reading Test – Fourth Edition
- Intervention
- LFFG, left fusiform gyrus
- LIFG, left inferior frontal gyrus
- LIOG, left inferior occipital gyrus
- LMFG, left middle frontal gyrus
- LPCG, left precentral gyrus
- LSMA, left supplementary motor area
- LSPL, left superior parietal lobule
- LSTG, left superior temporal gyrus
- LTHAL, left thalamus
- Reading comprehension
- SORT-R, Slosson Oral Reading Test - Revised
- V/V, Visualizing and Verbalizing
- WASI, Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence
- fMRI
- fMRI, functional magnetic resonance imaging
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna L. Murdaugh
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jose O. Maximo
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Claire E. Cordes
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sarah E. O'Kelley
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rajesh K. Kana
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Corresponding author at: Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, CIRC 235G, 1719 6th Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0021, USA.
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Retico A, Arezzini S, Bosco P, Calderoni S, Ciampa A, Coscetti S, Cuomo S, De Santis L, Fabiani D, Fantacci ME, Giuliano A, Mazzoni E, Mercatali P, Miscali G, Pardini M, Prosperi M, Romano F, Tamburini E, Tosetti M, Muratori F. ARIANNA: A research environment for neuroimaging studies in autism spectrum disorders. Comput Biol Med 2017; 87:1-7. [PMID: 28544911 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2017.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The complexity and heterogeneity of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) require the implementation of dedicated analysis techniques to obtain the maximum from the interrelationship among many variables that describe affected individuals, spanning from clinical phenotypic characterization and genetic profile to structural and functional brain images. The ARIANNA project has developed a collaborative interdisciplinary research environment that is easily accessible to the community of researchers working on ASD (https://arianna.pi.infn.it). The main goals of the project are: to analyze neuroimaging data acquired in multiple sites with multivariate approaches based on machine learning; to detect structural and functional brain characteristics that allow the distinguishing of individuals with ASD from control subjects; to identify neuroimaging-based criteria to stratify the population with ASD to support the future development of personalized treatments. Secure data handling and storage are guaranteed within the project, as well as the access to fast grid/cloud-based computational resources. This paper outlines the web-based architecture, the computing infrastructure and the collaborative analysis workflows at the basis of the ARIANNA interdisciplinary working environment. It also demonstrates the full functionality of the research platform. The availability of this innovative working environment for analyzing clinical and neuroimaging information of individuals with ASD is expected to support researchers in disentangling complex data thus facilitating their interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Retico
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Silvia Arezzini
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Bosco
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Ciampa
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Coscetti
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Cuomo
- Institute of Legal Information Theory and Techniques (ITTIG) of the National Research Council, Via de' Barucci 20, 50127 Florence, Italy
| | | | - Dario Fabiani
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Evelina Fantacci
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy; University of Pisa, Physics Department, Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessia Giuliano
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Enrico Mazzoni
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Pietro Mercatali
- Institute of Legal Information Theory and Techniques (ITTIG) of the National Research Council, Via de' Barucci 20, 50127 Florence, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Francesco Romano
- Institute of Legal Information Theory and Techniques (ITTIG) of the National Research Council, Via de' Barucci 20, 50127 Florence, Italy
| | | | - Michela Tosetti
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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