Atypical Developmental Patterns of Sensorimotor-Related Networks in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A BrainAGE Study Based...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by atypical brain development.
• Previous research indicated altered whole-brain developmental patterns in ASD.
• The localization of these developmental alterations within specific functional sub-networks remained unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether brain function developmental patterns in ASD are global or sub-network specific.
• To analyze developmental trajectories within distinct functional sub-networks in individuals with ASD.
• To identify specific sensorimotor sub-networks exhibiting atypical development in ASD.

Main Methods:

• Utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 127 individuals with ASD and 135 controls (ages 5-40).
• Calculated Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations (ALFF) maps for each participant.
• Performed sub-network-level BrainAGE analyses across 10 sub-networks using the Individual-weighted Multilayer Perceptron Network (ILWMLP) regression method.

Main Results:

• BrainAGE analyses identified atypical developmental trajectories in sensorimotor-related sub-networks (auditory, motor, sensorimotor).
• Individuals with ASD showed delayed brain function development in auditory and sensorimotor networks, more pronounced in older individuals.
• The motor network displayed accelerated development in younger individuals with ASD, transitioning to delayed development in older individuals.

Conclusions:

• ASD is associated with aberrant developmental patterns in sensorimotor-related sub-networks.
• These atypical patterns vary across different sub-networks, with distinct profiles observed.
• Findings enhance understanding of deviant brain development in autism spectrum disorder.