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Updated: May 24, 2025
Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Published on: September 12, 2011
White-Matter fiber tract and resting-state functional connectivity abnormalities in young children with autism
Jia Wang1, Natasha Y S Kawata2, Xuan Cao3
1Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, No.157 Baojian Road, Harbin 150081, China; Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuoka-Shimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; The Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, No.157 Baojian Road, Harbin 150081, China; Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Child Development and Genetic Research, Harbin Medical University, No.157 Baojian Road, Harbin 150081, China.
Insights
Young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show altered white matter (WM) structure and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC). These brain differences correlate with ASD symptoms, highlighting the need for multi-modal imaging.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Radiology
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves social, communication, and behavioral challenges.
- While brain development abnormalities are known in ASD, the link between structural and functional connectivity is understudied.
- Understanding these connections is crucial for diagnosing and treating ASD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between structural and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) abnormalities and clinical symptoms in young children with ASD.
- To utilize a detailed bundle-to-region connectome approach for mapping WM-GM interactions.
- To explore differences in WM structure and rsFC between children with ASD and typically developing (TD) children.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to study 34 children with ASD and 43 TD children.
- A population-based bundle-to-region connectome approach indexed WM-GM interactions.
- Analysis focused on fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), and rsFC in specific WM tracts and cortical regions.
Main Results:
- Children with ASD showed decreased FA and increased MD/RD in left hemisphere WM tracts (ATR, cingulum, IFOF, ILF, SLF, UF).
- Abnormal rsFC was found in cortical areas connected by these WM tracts.
- Structural and functional connectivity index (SFCI) abnormalities in SLF and cingulum were linked to repetitive behaviors and communication abilities, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Young children with ASD exhibit distinct WM tract structural and rsFC abnormalities.
- These findings reveal significant disruptions in rsFC from WM tracts to cortical areas in ASD.
- Multi-modal imaging is essential for capturing these variations and their correlation with ASD symptom severity.
Abstract:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication and repetitive behaviors. Although abnormal brain development has been shown to exist in children with ASD, the link between structural brain abnormalities and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) disruptions in children with ASD remains understudied. To address this limitation, we utilized the population-based bundle-to-region connectome, providing a detailed understanding of the connectivity between cortical regions and white matter (WM) tracts. By precisely indexing WM-Gray Matter (GM) interactions, we investigated the rsFC of the cortex-associated ROIs to explore the association between structural and rsFC abnormalities and clinical symptoms in young children with ASD. This MRI study identified significant differences in WM structure and rsFC between children with ASD (n = 34) and typically developing children (TD, n = 43). Our results showed that decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased mean diffusivity (MD) and radial diffusivity (RD) in ASD WM tracts compared to TD, particularly in left hemisphere tracts (anterior thalamic radiation [ATR], cingulum, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus [IFOF], inferior longitudinal fasciculus [ILF], superior longitudinal fasciculus [SLF], and uncinate fasciculus [UF]). Abnormal rsFC was observed in GM areas connected by ATR, cingulum, IFOF, ILF, and SLF. Furthermore, abnormalities in the structural and functional connectivity index (SFCI) within the SLF and cingulum were identified. An association has been observed between these abnormalities and clinical symptoms. Specifically, SLF structural and functional connectivity appear to be associated with repetitive and restrictive behavior (RRB), while cingulum connectivity is associated with communication abilities. In conclusion, young children with ASD exhibit abnormal WM tract structures and associated rsFC abnormalities. These differences highlight significant disruptions in rsFC mapped from WM tracts to cortical areas in ASD, correlating with the severity of ASD symptoms, and suggest the importance of multi-modal imaging in capturing these variations.
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