Neuroimaging in autism spectrum disorder: brain structure and function across the lifespan

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is linked to neurodevelopmental variations affecting brain anatomy, function, and connectivity.
• These brain differences manifest and evolve across the human lifespan, with distinct cortical abnormalities in children with ASD compared to other age groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the insights gained from in-vivo MRI studies on the neural substrates of ASD over the past decade.
• To highlight the methodological challenges in studying brain development in ASD and the need for standardized approaches.
• To discuss the development of novel analytical methods for translating research findings into clinical applications.

Main Methods:

• In-vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies.
• Analysis of brain anatomy, functioning, and connectivity.
• Longitudinal and cross-sectional developmental studies.

Main Results:

• MRI studies have significantly advanced our understanding of the neural basis of ASD.
• ASD-related brain variations show differential development across the lifespan.
• Methodological standardization is crucial for comparing findings across studies.

Conclusions:

• In-vivo MRI provides critical insights into the neurodevelopmental variations in ASD.
• Addressing methodological challenges is key for advancing ASD research and clinical translation.
• Future neuroimaging research may contribute to biomarkers, improved diagnosis, and novel treatments for ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders.