Functional gradient characteristics analysis of preschool-aged children with autism spectrum disorder
Guangrong Wu1, Linfeng Song1, Yuanyuan Xu1
1Department of Radiology, The First People's Hospital of Zunyi (The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University), Fenghuangbei Street 98 #, Zunyi 563000, Guizhou, China.
Insights
Researchers studied brain network organization in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They found significant differences in functional gradients, particularly in the default mode network, suggesting potential biomarkers for assessing ASD severity in young children.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with social and behavioral impairments.
- The underlying causes and neurobiological mechanisms of ASD remain unclear.
- Understanding brain network organization is crucial for identifying ASD biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate shifts in functional gradients within hierarchical brain networks in individuals with ASD.
- To assess the relationship between altered functional gradients and clinical symptom severity in ASD.
- To identify potential neuroimaging biomarkers for ASD assessment.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed.
- Functional gradients were analyzed across seven major brain networks.
- A cohort of 52 individuals with ASD and 40 healthy controls participated.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in functional gradients were observed in the somatomotor, frontoparietal, ventral attention, and default mode networks.
- Specifically, the default mode network showed significant differences across all three gradients.
- Altered gradients in specific brain regions (e.g., insula, cingulate gyrus) were identified.
Conclusions:
- Functional brain network organization, particularly in the default mode network, is altered in autism spectrum disorder.
- These alterations in functional gradients may serve as potential neuroimaging biomarkers for ASD severity.
- Findings suggest a basis for objective assessment of ASD in preschool-aged children.
Abstract:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by social and behavioral impairments, emerging in early childhood with unclear causes. The primary aim of this study is to investigate shifts in the functional gradients underlying hierarchical brain network organization in ASD and to assess their potential contribution to clinical symptom severity. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to examine changes in functional gradients across seven major brain networks in a cohort of 52 individuals with ASD and 40 healthy controls. In the somatomotor network, neither the first nor third gradient showed significant group differences; however, two regions-right paracentral lobule and right postcentral gyrus-exhibited significant differences in the second gradient. In the frontoparietal network, only the left middle frontal gyrus in the second gradient showed a significant group difference. For the ventral attention network, only the primary gradient exhibited significant differences in the left insula, the right insula, and the right median cingulate and paracingulate gyri. In the default mode network, all three gradients showed statistically significant differences. These results suggest potential neuroimaging biomarkers for assessing the severity of ASD in preschool-aged children.
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