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Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
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Decreased Functional and Structural Connectivity is Associated with Core Symptom Improvement in Children with Autism
Dongyue Zhou1, Zhimei Liu2, Guanyu Gong3
1School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|October 26, 2023
Summary
Mini-basketball training improved core symptoms in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by decreasing brain network connectivity. This exercise intervention may help normalize neuroanatomy in ASD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) core symptoms can be improved by exercise interventions.
- The precise neural mechanisms underlying exercise benefits in ASD remain unclear.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a 12-week mini-basketball training program (MBTP) on brain functional and structural networks in children with ASD.
- To examine the association between MBTP-induced network changes and improvements in core ASD symptoms.
- To explore whether MBTP can drive brain changes towards a more typical neuroanatomical pattern.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week MBTP intervention was administered to 32 children with ASD (ages 3-12).
- Structural MRI and resting-state functional MRI data were collected before and after the intervention.
- Individual-based methods were used to construct and analyze functional and structural brain networks.
- A control group of 26 children with ASD received no special intervention.
Main Results:
- MBTP intervention led to decreased functional connectivity within the sensorimotor network and between sensorimotor and salience networks.
- Significant reductions in morphological connectivity strength were observed in specific cortical-cortical and subcortical-cortical networks.
- These functional and structural brain changes were correlated with improvements in core ASD symptoms.
- The control group showed no comparable network alterations.
Conclusions:
- MBTP is a promising intervention for improving core symptoms in children with ASD.
- The intervention appears to modulate brain network connectivity, reducing it towards more typical patterns.
- Exercise-induced changes in both functional and structural brain networks are associated with symptom amelioration in ASD.
- MBTP may contribute to normalizing neuroanatomy in children with ASD.
Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)Exercise interventionFunctional connectivityK-meansMorphological brain networkMore Related Videos
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