Targeting the Cerebellar Circuit: How Exercise Intervention Reshapes White Matter Networks to Alleviate Autism...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Exercise interventions show promise for alleviating core symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• The underlying neural mechanisms, especially within the White Matter Network (WMN), require further investigation.
• Understanding WMN changes can elucidate how physical activity impacts ASD core symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of a Mini-Basketball Training Program (MBTP) on core symptoms and WMN in children with ASD.
• To explore the neural mechanisms linking exercise interventions to symptom improvement in ASD.
• To identify specific WMN alterations associated with MBTP in children with ASD.

Main Methods:

• A 12-week, two-site cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial (cRCT) involving children with ASD.
• Intervention group received MBTP; control group received standard care.
• Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and graph theoretical analysis were used to assess WMN changes before and after the intervention.

Main Results:

• MBTP significantly improved core ASD symptoms.
• Significant changes in WMN topology were observed, including decreased clustering coefficient, characteristic path length, and small-world attributes, alongside increased global efficiency.
• Increased nodal clustering coefficient in the left cerebellum (CRBL9.L) correlated significantly with symptom improvement.

Conclusions:

• Exercise interventions like MBTP can effectively improve core symptoms in children with ASD.
• The White Matter Network (WMN) undergoes remodeling in response to exercise, with the cerebellum playing a key role.
• These findings highlight the cerebellum's importance in the neural mechanisms underlying exercise-induced improvements in ASD.