Deviation from normative brain development is associated with symptom severity in autism spectrum disorder.

摘要: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition. The degree to which the brain development in ASD deviates from typical development, and how this deviation relates observed behavioral outcomes at individual level are not well-studied. We hypothesize that of an with would relate symptom severity. developmental changes anatomical (cortical thickness, surface area, volume) diffusion metrics (fractional anisotropy apparent coefficient) were compared between sample (n = 247) typically developing children (TDC) (n = 220) aged 6–25. Machine learning was used predict age (brain age) these TDC sample, define normative model development. This then compute sample. difference chronological considered index (DDI), correlated trained on all five accurately predicted (r = 0.88) (r = 0.85) samples, dominant contributions metrics. Within group, DDI derived fractional severity (r = − 0.2), such individuals most advanced showing lowest severity, delayed highest work investigated only linear relationships specific one measure limited range. Reported effect sizes moderate. Further needed investigate differences other ranges, aspects behavior, neurobiological measures, independent before results can be clinically applicable. Findings demonstrate partially accounting for heterogeneity ASD. Our approach enables characterization each reference identification distinct subtypes, facilitating better understanding