Altered white matter integrity and development in children with autism: a combined voxel-based morphometry and...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Radiology

Background:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
• Investigating brain structure and function in autism is crucial for understanding its underlying mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore neurodevelopmental differences in gray and white matter in children with autism.
• To utilize voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for a combined analysis.

Main Methods:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on children with autism and typically developing controls.
• Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) with a customized template and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) were used.
• Regions of interest (ROIs) were analyzed for volumetric and diffusion properties.

Main Results:

• Individuals with autism showed increased white matter volumes in specific brain regions (e.g., right inferior frontal gyrus, hippocampus).
• Gray matter volume alterations were observed in autism, with increases in some areas (e.g., inferior temporal gyri) and decreases in others (e.g., right inferior frontal gyrus).
• Abnormally increased ADC values in frontal cortex and corpus callosum, along with age-related diffusion changes, were noted in autism.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest early-phase cerebral dysconnectivity in autism.
• Altered white matter maturation trajectories in frontal and parietal lobes may be a neurodevelopmental marker for autism.
• These brain differences could contribute to the cognitive and social deficits observed in autism.