Increased functional activity, bottom-up and intrinsic effective connectivity in autism

Grey matter volume differences in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: a meta-analysis of voxel-based morphometry studies

BACKGROUND

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most commonly seen mental disorders onset from childhood. The neural mechanisms underlying OCD development and maintenance remain poorly understood. Various empirical evidence from structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies has reported structural differences in grey matter (GM) among pediatric OCD patients. However, some of the findings diverge from others, and the association between GM and individual differences in pediatric OCD remains inconclusive. To address this gap, we conducted a meta-analysis to synthesize findings quantitatively.

METHODS

The current research conducted a quantitative meta-analysis of voxel-based GM studies to elucidate existence of neural correlates in pediatric OCD. A whole brain-based d-mapping approach was utilized to explore GM changes and further analyze the relationship between GM and individual differences in pediatric OCD patients.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were included with 288 patients and 273 controls. Compared with controls, pediatric OCD demonstrated significantly greater GM volume in the left insula (SDM value = 1.72, p < 0.005) and left superior frontal gyrus (SFG) (orbital part) (SDM value = 1.47, p < 0.005), whereas we showed lower GM volume in the right superior temporal gyrus (STG) (SDM value = -1.87, p < 0.005), left inferior parietal gyri (IPG) (SDM value = -1.60, p < 0.005), left middle occipital gyrus (MOG) (SDM value = -1.66, p < 0.005), and left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) (SDM value = -1.69, p < 0.005). The increase in SFG (orbital part) and decrease IPG was commonly found in those without psychiatric comorbidities and treatment-naive subgroup. Meta-regression analysis revealed that longer OCD duration was associated with less GM volume in IPG (SDM value = -3.057, p < 0.005). Finally, the onset age and the OCD symptoms severity were positively associated with GM volume in the SFG (SDM z = 2.387, p < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirmed the most consistent GM differences in pediatric OCD, particularly in the MOG, IPG and SFG (orbital part), suggesting they are potential markers in pediatric OCD. Larger SFG (orbital part) and smaller IPG volumes are specific to those without comorbidities and untreated patients. The duration of OCD, symptom severity and onset age also influence GM structure. This research provides evidence of the underlying neuroanatomical characteristics of pediatric OCD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42024601906.

Contributions of dysfunctional plasticity mechanisms to the development of atypical perceptual processing

Experimental studies of sensory plasticity during development in birds and mammals have highlighted the importance of sensory experiences for the construction and refinement of functional neural circuits. We discuss how dysregulation of experience-dependent brain plasticity can lead to abnormal perceptual representations that may contribute to heterogeneous deficits symptomatic of several neurodevelopmental disorders. We focus on alterations of somatosensory processing and the dynamic reorganization of cortical synaptic networks that occurs during early perceptual development. We also discuss the idea that the heterogeneity of strengths and weaknesses observed in children with neurodevelopmental disorders may be a direct consequence of altered plasticity mechanisms during early development. Treating the heterogeneity of perceptual developmental trajectories as a phenomenon worthy of study rather than as an experimental confound that should be overcome may be key to developing interventions that better account for the complex developmental trajectories experienced by modern humans.