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Patterns of Brain Maturation in Autism and Their Molecular Associations
Charlotte M Pretzsch1, Martina Arenella1, Jason P Lerch2
1Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
JAMA Psychiatry
|October 16, 2024
Summary
Altered brain region development in autism is linked to molecular mechanisms and clinical features. Understanding these maturational patterns offers insights into neurodevelopmental conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Brain regions typically develop in coordinated patterns, forming a basis for function and behavior.
- It remains unclear if altered developmental patterns contribute to autism's clinical profile.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in brain region development in autism.
- To associate these differences with molecular/genomic mechanisms and symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of longitudinal structural MRI and cognitive-behavioral data from the EU-AIMS Longitudinal European Autism Project (LEAP) cohort.
- Out-of-sample validation using the Brain Development Imaging Study (BrainMapASD) cohort.
- Surface-based morphometrics to analyze changes in cortical thickness and surface area over time.
Main Results:
- Maturational differences in cortical thickness and surface area were observed, primarily in sensorimotor regions.
- Neurodevelopmental differences were enriched for genes involved in synaptic transmission and expressed in various cell types.
- A more neurotypical maturational profile correlated with fewer social difficulties and more typical sensory processing.
Conclusions:
- Coordinated brain region development is altered in autism, influenced by molecular mechanisms.
- These developmental alterations may link to sensory and social clinical features.
- Studying maturational patterns can provide a framework for understanding neurodevelopmental conditions.
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