Structural and functional connectivity of the human brain in autism spectrum disorders and

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Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
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Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Published on: September 12, 2011

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Siddharth Ray1, Meghan Miller, Sarah Karalunas

  • 1Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.

Human Brain Mapping
|August 14, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show distinct brain connectivity patterns. These neurodevelopmental disorders, though sharing traits, differ in how their brain networks are organized in childhood.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are common childhood neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • Both ADHD and ASD share behavioral and neuropsychological characteristics, complicating diagnosis and research.
  • Existing MRI studies often focus on only one disorder, limiting comparative understanding of their neural underpinnings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare the large-scale brain network organization in children with ADHD, ASD, and typically developing controls (TD).
  • To explore differences in structural and functional connectivity, particularly within and outside of rich-club networks.
  • To determine if ADHD and ASD exhibit distinct neural connectivity patterns despite shared features and comorbidity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized graph theory to analyze structural and functional brain connectivity in three groups: ADHD (n=20), ASD (n=16), and TD (n=20).
  • Applied the rich-club organization concept to examine connectivity within central hub regions and outside these hubs.
  • Replicated findings using the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) dataset, including ASD (n=85) and TD (n=101) participants.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in rich-club and non-rich-club connectivity patterns were observed between ADHD and ASD groups in both functional and structural data.
  • The ASD group showed increased structural and functional connectivity exclusively within rich-club networks.
  • The ADHD group exhibited reduced generalized fractional anisotropy and functional connectivity within rich-club networks, but increased axonal fibers and correlation coefficients outside these networks.

Conclusions:

  • ADHD and ASD demonstrate distinct large-scale brain connectivity patterns during middle childhood.
  • Despite potential shared biological factors and frequent comorbidity, the network organization differs significantly between these neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • Findings highlight the utility of network analysis in differentiating neurodevelopmental conditions.

Keywords:
DW-MRIattention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderautism spectrum disordersconnectivitydiffusion tensor imaginghigh angular resolution diffusion imagingrich-club organizationrs-fMRI

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