Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 19, 2025
12:21
Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Published on: September 12, 2011
25.4K
Abnormal glymphatic system function in children with autism spectrum disorder: a diffusion kurtosis imaging study
Pu Tian1, Yang Xue2, Xiaona Zhu1
1Department of Radiology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, No. 71, Xinmin Street, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China.
European Journal of Pediatrics
|June 9, 2025
Summary
Glymphatic system dysfunction is evident in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with impaired function linked to ASD severity and developmental levels. Diffusion kurtosis imaging analysis along the perivascular space (DKI-ALPS) shows higher sensitivity than DTI-ALPS in detecting these changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Glymphatic system dysfunction is implicated in neurodegenerative disorders but underexplored in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) has limited sensitivity for detecting glymphatic changes.
- This study introduces diffusion kurtosis imaging analysis along the perivascular space (DKI-ALPS) for assessing glymphatic function in pediatric ASD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess glymphatic system function in children with ASD using DKI-ALPS.
- To explore the relationship between glymphatic function, ASD severity, and developmental level.
- To compare the sensitivity of DKI-ALPS and DTI-ALPS in detecting glymphatic alterations in ASD.
Main Methods:
- Employed DKI-ALPS to evaluate glymphatic function in children with ASD (mild and severe subgroups) and typically developing (TD) children.
- Correlated DKI-ALPS indices with Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Griffiths Developmental Scales (GDS-C) scores.
- Analyzed directional kurtosis components of DKI-ALPS to investigate microstructural differences.
Main Results:
- DKI-ALPS indices were significantly lower in children with ASD compared to TD children, with more pronounced reductions in the severe ASD subgroup.
- Lower DKI-ALPS indices correlated negatively with CARS scores and positively with GDS-C Hearing-Language and Eye-Hand Coordination scores.
- DKI-ALPS demonstrated superior sensitivity over DTI-ALPS in identifying group differences and clinical associations, with specific alterations noted in directional kurtosis metrics.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary evidence suggests glymphatic system dysfunction in children with ASD.
- Glymphatic impairment is associated with the severity of core ASD features and developmental level.
- DKI-ALPS offers novel imaging-based insights into ASD neurobiology and warrants further investigation.
