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Kim JI, Bang S, Yang JJ, Kwon H, Jang S, Roh S, Kim SH, Kim MJ, Lee HJ, Lee JM, Kim BN. Classification of Preschoolers with Low-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Multimodal MRI Data. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:25-37. [PMID: 34984638 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05368-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Multimodal imaging studies targeting preschoolers and low-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients are scarce. We applied machine learning classifiers to parameters from T1-weighted MRI and DTI data of 58 children with ASD (age 3-6 years) and 48 typically developing controls (TDC). Classification performance reached an accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 88.8%, 93.0%, and 83.8%, respectively. The most prominent features were the cortical thickness of the right inferior occipital gyrus, mean diffusivity of the middle cerebellar peduncle, and nodal efficiency of the left posterior cingulate gyrus. Machine learning-based analysis of MRI data was useful in distinguishing low-functioning ASD preschoolers from TDCs. Combination of T1 and DTI improved classification accuracy about 10%, and large-scale multi-modal MRI studies are warranted for external validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Inhyang Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University Medical Center, 222-1 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungkyu Bang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Ju Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Heejin Kwon
- Department of Psychology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 02722, Republic of Korea
| | - Soomin Jang
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungwon Roh
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University Medical Center, 222-1 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Hyeon Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University Medical Center, 222-1 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Jung Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ju Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Min Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
| | - Bung-Nyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-no, Chongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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2
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McKechanie AG, Lawrie SM, Whalley HC, Stanfield AC. A functional MRI facial emotion-processing study of autism in individuals with special educational needs. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2022; 320:111426. [PMID: 34911009 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2021.111426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the functional imaging associations of autism in individuals with special educational needs and demonstrate the feasibility of such research. The study included 18 individuals (3 female,15 male; mean age 24.3; mean IQ 69.7) with special educational needs (SEN), of whom 9 met criteria for autism. The task examined the Blood-oxygen-level dependant response to fearful and neutral faces. Individuals in the autism group had 2 clusters of significantly reduced activity centred on the left superior frontal gyrus and left angular gyrus compared to those with SEN alone in response to the fearful faces. In the response to neutral faces, individuals in the autism group also had a cluster of significantly greater activity centred on the right precentral gyrus compared to those with SEN alone. We suggest that autistic characteristics in individuals with SEN are associated with changes in fearful facial emotion processing analogous to those previously reported in autistic individuals without SEN, and who are of average or above average cognitive ability. The finding of enhanced response to neutral facial stimuli needs further investigation, although we speculate this may relate to reports of the experience of 'hyper-mentalisation' in social situations as reported by some autistic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G McKechanie
- Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Stephen M Lawrie
- Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Heather C Whalley
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew C Stanfield
- Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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3
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Xu S, Li M, Yang C, Fang X, Ye M, Wu Y, Yang B, Huang W, Li P, Ma X, Fu S, Yin Y, Tian J, Gan Y, Jiang G. Abnormal Degree Centrality in Children with Low-Function Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Sleeping-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2022; 18:1363-1374. [PMID: 35818374 PMCID: PMC9270980 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s367104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study used the graph-theory approach, degree centrality (DC) to analyze whole-brain functional networks at the voxel level in children with ASD, and investigated whether DC changes were correlated with any clinical variables in ASD children. METHODS The current study included 86 children with ASD and 54 matched healthy subjects Aged 2-5.5 years. Next, chloral hydrate induced sleeping-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (ss-fMRI) datasets were acquired from these ASD and healthy subjects. For a given voxel, the DC was calculated by calculating the number of functional connections with significantly positive correlations at the individual level. Group differences were tested using two-sample t-tests (p < 0.01, AlphaSim corrected). Finally, relationships between abnormal DCs and clinical variables were investigated via Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS Children with ASD exhibited low DC values in the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) (p < 0.01, AlphaSim corrected). Furthermore, significantly negative correlations were established between the decreased average DC values within the right MFG in ASD children and the total ABC scores, as well as with two ABC subscales measuring highly relevant impairments in ASD (ie, stereotypes and object-use behaviors and difficulties in language). CONCLUSION Taken together, the results of our ss-fMRI study suggest that abnormal DC may represent an important contribution to elucidation of the neuropathophysiological mechanisms of preschoolers with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoujun Xu
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunlan Yang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangling Fang
- Department of Department of Children Healthcare, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Miaoting Ye
- Department of Department of Children Healthcare, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunfan Wu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Binrang Yang
- Department of Department of Children Healthcare, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenxian Huang
- Department of Department of Children Healthcare, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofen Ma
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shishun Fu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Yin
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Junzhang Tian
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yungen Gan
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Guihua Jiang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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4
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Kim D, Lee JY, Jeong BC, Ahn JH, Kim JI, Lee ES, Kim H, Lee HJ, Han CE. Overconnectivity of the right Heschl's and inferior temporal gyrus correlates with symptom severity in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2021; 14:2314-2329. [PMID: 34529363 PMCID: PMC9292809 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have reported varying findings regarding the association of brain connectivity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with overconnectivity, underconnectivity, or both. Despite the emerging understanding that ASD is a developmental disconnection syndrome, very little is known about structural brain networks in preschool‐aged children with low‐functioning ASD. We aimed to investigate the structural brain connectivity of low‐functioning ASD using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and graph theory to examine alterations in different brain network topologies and identify any correlations with the clinical severity of ASD in preschool‐aged children. Fifty‐two preschool‐aged children (28 with ASD and 24 with typical development) were included in the analysis. Graph‐based network analysis was performed to examine the global and local structural brain networks. Nodal network measures exhibited increased nodal strength in the right Heschl's gyrus, which was positively associated with all autistic clinical symptoms (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and Childhood Autism Rating Scale [CARS]). The nodal strength of the right inferior temporal gyrus showed a moderate correlation with the CARS score. Using network‐based statistics, we identified a subnetwork with increased connections encompassing the right Heschl's gyrus and the right inferior temporal gyrus in preschool‐aged children with ASD. The asymmetric value in the inferior temporal gyrus exhibited right dominance of nodal strength in children with ASD compared to that in typically developing children. Our findings support the theory of aberrant brain growth and overconnectivity as the underlying mechanism of ASD and provides new insights into potential regional biomarkers that can detect low‐functioning ASD in preschool‐aged children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daegyeom Kim
- Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Young Lee
- Clinical Research Institute of Developmental Medicine, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong Chang Jeong
- Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea.,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program for Artificial Intelligence Smart Convergence Technology, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja-Hye Ahn
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Johanna Inhyang Kim
- Clinical Research Institute of Developmental Medicine, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Soo Lee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hyuna Kim
- Department of Child Psychotherapy, Hanyang University Graduate School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ju Lee
- Clinical Research Institute of Developmental Medicine, Seoul Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol E Han
- Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea.,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program for Artificial Intelligence Smart Convergence Technology, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea
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5
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Vaisvaser S. The Embodied-Enactive-Interactive Brain: Bridging Neuroscience and Creative Arts Therapies. Front Psychol 2021; 12:634079. [PMID: 33995190 PMCID: PMC8121022 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.634079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The recognition and incorporation of evidence-based neuroscientific concepts into creative arts therapeutic knowledge and practice seem valuable and advantageous for the purpose of integration and professional development. Moreover, exhilarating insights from the field of neuroscience coincide with the nature, conceptualization, goals, and methods of Creative Arts Therapies (CATs), enabling comprehensive understandings of the clinical landscape, from a translational perspective. This paper contextualizes and discusses dynamic brain functions that have been suggested to lie at the heart of intra- and inter-personal processes. Touching upon fundamental aspects of the self and self-other interaction, the state-of-the-art neuroscientific-informed views will shed light on mechanisms of the embodied, predictive and relational brain. The conceptual analysis introduces and interweaves the following contemporary perspectives of brain function: firstly, the grounding of mental activity in the lived, bodily experience will be delineated; secondly, the enactive account of internal models, or generative predictive representations, shaped by experience, will be defined and extensively deliberated; and thirdly, the interpersonal simulation and synchronization mechanisms that support empathy and mentalization will be thoroughly considered. Throughout the paper, the cross-talks between the brain and the body, within the brain through functionally connected neural networks and in the context of agent-environment dynamics, will be addressed. These communicative patterns will be elaborated on to unfold psychophysiological linkage, as well as psychopathological shifts, concluding with the neuroplastic change associated with the formulation of CATs. The manuscript suggests an integrative view of the brain-body-mind in contexts relevant to the therapeutic potential of the expressive creative arts and the main avenues by which neuroscience may ground, enlighten and enrich the clinical psychotherapeutic practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Vaisvaser
- School of Society and the Arts, Ono Academic College, Kiryat Ono, Israel
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6
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Roy D, Uddin LQ. Atypical core-periphery brain dynamics in autism. Netw Neurosci 2021; 5:295-321. [PMID: 34189366 PMCID: PMC8233106 DOI: 10.1162/netn_a_00181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The intrinsic function of the human brain is dynamic, giving rise to numerous behavioral subtypes that fluctuate distinctively at multiple timescales. One of the key dynamical processes that takes place in the brain is the interaction between core-periphery brain regions, which undergoes constant fluctuations associated with developmental time frames. Core-periphery dynamical changes associated with macroscale brain network dynamics span multiple timescales and may lead to atypical behavior and clinical symptoms. For example, recent evidence suggests that brain regions with shorter intrinsic timescales are located at the periphery of brain networks (e.g., sensorimotor hand, face areas) and are implicated in perception and movement. On the contrary, brain regions with longer timescales are core hub regions. These hubs are important for regulating interactions between the brain and the body during self-related cognition and emotion. In this review, we summarize a large body of converging evidence derived from time-resolved fMRI studies in autism to characterize atypical core-periphery brain dynamics and how they relate to core and contextual sensory and cognitive profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipanjan Roy
- Cognitive Brain Dynamics Lab, National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, India
| | - Lucina Q Uddin
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
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7
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Nair A, Jalal R, Liu J, Tsang T, McDonald NM, Jackson L, Ponting C, Jeste SS, Bookheimer SY, Dapretto M. Altered Thalamocortical Connectivity in 6-Week-Old Infants at High Familial Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:4191-4205. [PMID: 33866373 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Converging evidence from neuroimaging studies has revealed altered connectivity in cortical-subcortical networks in youth and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Comparatively little is known about the development of cortical-subcortical connectivity in infancy, before the emergence of overt ASD symptomatology. Here, we examined early functional and structural connectivity of thalamocortical networks in infants at high familial risk for ASD (HR) and low-risk controls (LR). Resting-state functional connectivity and diffusion tensor imaging data were acquired in 52 6-week-old infants. Functional connectivity was examined between 6 cortical seeds-prefrontal, motor, somatosensory, temporal, parietal, and occipital regions-and bilateral thalamus. We found significant thalamic-prefrontal underconnectivity, as well as thalamic-occipital and thalamic-motor overconnectivity in HR infants, relative to LR infants. Subsequent structural connectivity analyses also revealed atypical white matter integrity in thalamic-occipital tracts in HR infants, compared with LR infants. Notably, aberrant connectivity indices at 6 weeks predicted atypical social development between 9 and 36 months of age, as assessed with eye-tracking and diagnostic measures. These findings indicate that thalamocortical connectivity is disrupted at both the functional and structural level in HR infants as early as 6 weeks of age, providing a possible early marker of risk for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Nair
- Department of Psychology, School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Rhideeta Jalal
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Janelle Liu
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Tawny Tsang
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Nicole M McDonald
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Lisa Jackson
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Carolyn Ponting
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Shafali S Jeste
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Susan Y Bookheimer
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Mirella Dapretto
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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8
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Reiter MA, Jahedi A, Jac Fredo A, Fishman I, Bailey B, Müller RA. Performance of machine learning classification models of autism using resting-state fMRI is contingent on sample heterogeneity. Neural Comput Appl 2021; 33:3299-3310. [PMID: 34149191 PMCID: PMC8210842 DOI: 10.1007/s00521-020-05193-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions. In fMRI studies, including most machine learning studies seeking to distinguish ASD from typical developing (TD) samples, cohorts differing in gender and symptom severity composition are often treated statistically as one "ASD group". Using resting-state functional connectivity (FC) data, we implemented random forest to build diagnostic classifiers in 4 ASD samples including a total of 656 participants (NASD = 306, NTD = 350, ages 6-18). Groups were manipulated to titrate heterogeneity of gender and symptom severity and partially overlapped. Each sample differed on inclusionary criteria: (1) all genders, unrestricted severity range; (2) only male participants, unrestricted severity; (3) all genders, higher severity only; (4) only male participants, higher severity. Each set consisted of 200 participants per group (ASD, TD; matched on age and head motion), 160 for training and 40 for validation. FMRI time series from 237 regions of interest (ROIs) were Pearson correlated in a 237×237 FC matrix and classifiers were built using random forest in training samples. Classification accuracies in validation samples were 62.5%, 65%, 70% and 73.75%, respectively for samples 1-4. Connectivity within cingulo-opercular task control (COTC) network, and between COTC ROIs and default mode and dorsal attention network contributed overall most informative features, but features differed across sets. Findings suggest that diagnostic classifiers vary depending on ASD sample composition. Specifically, greater homogeneity of samples regarding gender and symptom severity enhances classifier performance. However, given the true heterogeneity of ASDs, performance metrics alone may not adequately reflect classifier utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya A. Reiter
- Brain Development Imaging Lab (BDIL), Psychology, San Diego State University (SDSU), 6363 Alvarado Ct. Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92120, USA,Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/UC San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Afrooz Jahedi
- Computational Science, San Diego State University/ Claremont Graduate University’s Joint Doctoral Program, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - A.R. Jac Fredo
- Computational Science, San Diego State University/ Claremont Graduate University’s Joint Doctoral Program, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Inna Fishman
- Brain Development Imaging Lab (BDIL), Psychology, San Diego State University (SDSU), 6363 Alvarado Ct. Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92120, USA
| | - Barbara Bailey
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Ralph-Axel Müller
- Brain Development Imaging Lab (BDIL), Psychology, San Diego State University (SDSU), 6363 Alvarado Ct. Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92120, USA,Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/UC San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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9
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Keehn RJJ, Pueschel EB, Gao Y, Jahedi A, Alemu K, Carper R, Fishman I, Müller RA. Underconnectivity Between Visual and Salience Networks and Links With Sensory Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2021; 60:274-285. [PMID: 32126259 PMCID: PMC7483217 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2020.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The anterior insular cortex (AI), which is a part of the salience network, is critically involved in visual awareness, multisensory perception, and social and emotional processing, among other functions. In children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), evidence has suggested aberrant functional connectivity (FC) of AI compared with typically developing peers. While recent studies have primarily focused on the functional connections between salience and social networks, much less is known about connectivity between AI and primary sensory regions, including visual areas, and how these patterns may be linked to autism symptomatology. METHOD The current investigation implemented functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine resting-state FC patterns of salience and visual networks in children and adolescents with ASDs compared with typically developing controls, and to relate them to behavioral measures. RESULTS Functional underconnectivity was found in the ASD group between left AI and bilateral visual cortices. Moreover, in an ASD subgroup with more atypical visual sensory profiles, FC was positively correlated with abnormal social motivational responsivity. CONCLUSION Findings of reduced FC between salience and visual networks in ASDs potentially indicate deficient selection of salient information. Moreover, in children and adolescents with ASDs who show strongly atypical visual sensory profiles, connectivity at seemingly more neurotypical levels may be paradoxically associated with greater impairment of social motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ellyn B. Pueschel
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, San Diego State University, CA
| | - Yangfeifei Gao
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, San Diego State University, CA,San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, CA
| | - Afrooz Jahedi
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, San Diego State University, CA,San Diego State University/Claremont Graduate University Joint Doctoral Program in Computational Statistics, CA
| | - Kalekirstos Alemu
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, San Diego State University, CA
| | - Ruth Carper
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, San Diego State University, CA,San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, CA
| | - Inna Fishman
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, San Diego State University, CA,San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, CA
| | - Ralph-Axel Müller
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, San Diego State University, CA,San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, CA
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10
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Nair A, Jolliffe M, Lograsso YSS, Bearden CE. A Review of Default Mode Network Connectivity and Its Association With Social Cognition in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Early-Onset Psychosis. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:614. [PMID: 32670121 PMCID: PMC7330632 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated substantial phenotypic overlap, notably social impairment, between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. However, the neural mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of social impairments across these distinct neuropsychiatric disorders has not yet been fully examined. Most neuroimaging studies to date have focused on adults with these disorders, with little known about the neural underpinnings of social impairments in younger populations. Here, we present a narrative review of the literature available through April 2020 on imaging studies of adolescents with either ASD or early-onset psychosis (EOP), to better understand the shared and unique neural mechanisms of social difficulties across diagnosis from a developmental framework. We specifically focus on functional connectivity studies of the default mode network (DMN), as the most extensively studied brain network relevant to social cognition across both groups. Our review included 29 studies of DMN connectivity in adolescents with ASD (Mean age range = 11.2-21.6 years), and 14 studies in adolescents with EOP (Mean age range = 14.2-24.3 years). Of these, 15 of 29 studies in ASD adolescents found predominant underconnectivity when examining DMN connectivity. In contrast, findings were mixed in adolescents with EOP, with five of 14 studies reporting DMN underconnectivity, and an additional six of 14 studies reporting both under- and over-connectivity of the DMN. Specifically, intra-DMN networks were more frequently underconnected in ASD, but overconnected in EOP. On the other hand, inter-DMN connectivity patterns were mixed (both under- and over-connected) for each group, especially DMN connectivity with frontal, sensorimotor, and temporoparietal regions in ASD, and with frontal, temporal, subcortical, and cerebellar regions in EOP. Finally, disrupted DMN connectivity appeared to be associated with social impairments in both groups, less so with other features distinct to each condition, such as repetitive behaviors/restricted interests in ASD and hallucinations/delusions in EOP. Further studies on demographically well-matched groups of adolescents with each of these conditions are needed to systematically explore additional contributing factors in DMN connectivity patterns such as clinical heterogeneity, pubertal development, and medication effects that would better inform treatment targets and facilitate prediction of outcomes in the context of these developmental neuropsychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Nair
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, California
| | - Morgan Jolliffe
- Graduate School of Professional Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, United States
| | - Yong Seuk S Lograsso
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, California.,Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Carrie E Bearden
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, California.,Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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11
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Eill A, Jahedi A, Gao Y, Kohli JS, Fong CH, Solders S, Carper RA, Valafar F, Bailey BA, Müller RA. Functional Connectivities Are More Informative Than Anatomical Variables in Diagnostic Classification of Autism. Brain Connect 2019; 9:604-612. [PMID: 31328535 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2019.0689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Machine learning techniques have been implemented to reveal brain features that distinguish people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) from typically developing (TD) peers. However, it remains unknown whether different neuroimaging modalities are equally informative for diagnostic classification. We combined anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (aMRI), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) using conditional random forest (CRF) for supervised learning to compare how informative each modality was in diagnostic classification. In-house data (N = 93) included 47 TD and 46 ASD participants, matched on age, motion, and nonverbal IQ. Four main analyses consistently indicated that fcMRI variables were significantly more informative than anatomical variables from aMRI and DWI. This was found (1) when the top 100 variables from CRF (run separately in each modality) were combined for multimodal CRF; (2) when only 19 top variables reaching >67% accuracy in each modality were combined in multimodal CRF; and (3) when the large number of initial variables (before dimension reduction) potentially biasing comparisons in favor of fcMRI was reduced using a less granular region of interest scheme. Consistent superiority of fcMRI was even found (4) when 100 variables per modality were randomly selected, removing any such potential bias. Greater informative value of functional than anatomical modalities may relate to the nature of fcMRI data, reflecting more closely behavioral condition, which is also the basis of diagnosis, whereas brain anatomy may be more reflective of neurodevelopmental history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aina Eill
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.,Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Afrooz Jahedi
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.,Computational Science Research Center, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Yangfeifei Gao
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.,SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, California
| | - Jiwandeep S Kohli
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.,SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, California
| | - Christopher H Fong
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Seraphina Solders
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Ruth A Carper
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Faramarz Valafar
- Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Barbara A Bailey
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Ralph-Axel Müller
- Brain Development Imaging Laboratories, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
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12
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Uddin LQ. Effects of Participant Functioning Level on Brain Functional Connectivity in Autism. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2019; 4:216-217. [PMID: 30827479 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucina Q Uddin
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Miami, Florida; Neuroscience Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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13
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Spera G, Retico A, Bosco P, Ferrari E, Palumbo L, Oliva P, Muratori F, Calderoni S. Evaluation of Altered Functional Connections in Male Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders on Multiple-Site Data Optimized With Machine Learning. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:620. [PMID: 31616322 PMCID: PMC6763745 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
No univocal and reliable brain-based biomarkers have been detected to date in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Neuroimaging studies have consistently revealed alterations in brain structure and function of individuals with ASD; however, it remains difficult to ascertain the extent and localization of affected brain networks. In this context, the application of Machine Learning (ML) classification methods to neuroimaging data has the potential to contribute to a better distinction between subjects with ASD and typical development controls (TD). This study is focused on the analysis of resting-state fMRI data of individuals with ASD and matched TD, available within the ABIDE collection. To reduce the multiple sources of heterogeneity that impact on understanding the neural underpinnings of autistic condition, we selected a subgroup of 190 subjects (102 with ASD and 88 TD) according to the following criteria: male children (age range: 6.5-13 years); rs-fMRI data acquired with open eyes; data from the University sites that provided the largest number of scans (KKI, NYU, UCLA, UM). Connectivity values were evaluated as the linear correlation between pairs of time series of brain areas; then, a Linear kernel Support Vector Machine (L-SVM) classification, with an inter-site cross-validation scheme, was carried out. A permutation test was conducted to identify over-connectivity and under-connectivity alterations in the ASD group. The mean L-SVM classification performance, in terms of the area under the ROC curve (AUC), was 0.75 ± 0.05. The highest performance was obtained using data from KKI, NYU and UCLA sites in training and data from UM as testing set (AUC = 0.83). Specifically, stronger functional connectivity (FC) in ASD with respect to TD involve (p < 0.001) the angular gyrus with the precuneus in the right (R) hemisphere, and the R frontal operculum cortex with the pars opercularis of the left (L) inferior frontal gyrus. Weaker connections in ASD group with respect to TD are the intra-hemispheric R temporal fusiform cortex with the R hippocampus, and the L supramarginal gyrus with L planum polare. The results indicate that both under- and over-FC occurred in a selected cohort of ASD children relative to TD controls, and that these functional alterations are spread in different brain networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Spera
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Pisa Division, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Retico
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Pisa Division, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Elisa Ferrari
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Pisa Division, Pisa, Italy.,Scuola Normale Superiore, Faculty of Sciences, Pisa, Italy
| | - Letizia Palumbo
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Pisa Division, Pisa, Italy
| | - Piernicola Oliva
- Department of Chemistry, and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.,National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Cagliari Division, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Filippo Muratori
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Calderoni
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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14
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Gabrielsen TP, Anderson JS, Stephenson KG, Beck J, King JB, Kellems R, Top DN, Russell NCC, Anderberg E, Lundwall RA, Hansen B, South M. Functional MRI connectivity of children with autism and low verbal and cognitive performance. Mol Autism 2018; 9:67. [PMID: 30603063 PMCID: PMC6307191 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-018-0248-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Functional neuroimaging research in autism spectrum disorder has reported patterns of decreased long-range, within-network, and interhemispheric connectivity. Research has also reported increased corticostriatal connectivity and between-network connectivity for default and attentional networks. Past studies have excluded individuals with autism and low verbal and cognitive performance (LVCP), so connectivity in individuals more significantly affected with autism has not yet been studied. This represents a critical gap in our understanding of brain function across the autism spectrum. Methods Using behavioral support procedures adapted from Nordahl, et al. (J Neurodev Disord 8:20–20, 2016), we completed non-sedated structural and functional MRI scans of 56 children ages 7–17, including LVCP children (n = 17, mean IQ = 54), children with autism and higher performance (HVCP, n = 20, mean IQ = 106), and neurotypical children (NT, n = 19, mean IQ = 111). Preparation included detailed intake questionnaires, video modeling, behavioral and anxiety reduction techniques, active noise-canceling headphones, and in-scan presentation of the Inscapes movie paradigm from Vanderwal et al. (Neuroimage 122:222–32, 2015). A high temporal resolution multiband echoplanar fMRI protocol analyzed motion-free time series data, extracted from concatenated volumes to mitigate the influence of motion artifact. All participants had > 200 volumes of motion-free fMRI scanning. Analyses were corrected for multiple comparisons. Results LVCP showed decreased within-network connectivity in default, salience, auditory, and frontoparietal networks (LVCP < HVCP) and decreased interhemispheric connectivity (LVCP < HVCP=NT). Between-network connectivity was higher for LVCP than NT between default and dorsal attention and frontoparietal networks. Lower IQ was associated with decreased connectivity within the default network and increased connectivity between default and dorsal attention networks. Conclusions This study demonstrates that with moderate levels of support, including readily available techniques, information about brain similarities and differences in LVCP individuals can be further studied. This initial study suggested decreased network segmentation and integration in LVCP individuals. Further imaging studies of LVCP individuals with larger samples will add to understanding of origins and effects of autism on brain function and behavior. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13229-018-0248-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terisa P Gabrielsen
- 1Department of Counseling, Psychology and Special Education, Brigham Young University McKay School of Education, Provo, USA
| | - Jeff S Anderson
- 2Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, USA
| | | | - Jonathan Beck
- 3Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, USA
| | - Jace B King
- 4Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Ryan Kellems
- 1Department of Counseling, Psychology and Special Education, Brigham Young University McKay School of Education, Provo, USA
| | - David N Top
- 3Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, USA
| | | | - Emily Anderberg
- 3Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, USA
| | - Rebecca A Lundwall
- 3Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, USA.,5Brigham Young University Neuroscience Center and MRI Research Facility, Provo, USA
| | - Blake Hansen
- 1Department of Counseling, Psychology and Special Education, Brigham Young University McKay School of Education, Provo, USA
| | - Mikle South
- 3Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, USA.,5Brigham Young University Neuroscience Center and MRI Research Facility, Provo, USA
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