Linked alterations in gray and white matter morphology in adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder: a multimodal brain imaging study.

摘要: Growing evidence suggests that a broad range of behavioral anomalies in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be linked morphological and functional alterations the brain. However, neuroanatomical underpinnings ASD have been investigated using either structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or diffusion tensor (DTI), relationships between abnormalities revealed by these two modalities remain unclear. This study applied multimodal data-fusion method, known as independent component analysis (ICA), to set MRI DTI data acquired from 46 adult males matched controls order elucidate associations different aspects atypical neuroanatomy ASD. Linked ICA identified composite components showed significant between-group differences, one which was significantly correlated age. In other component, participants decreased gray matter (GM) volumes multiple regions, including bilateral fusiform gyri, orbitofrontal cortices, pre- post-central gyri. These GM changes were pattern fractional anisotropy (FA) several white tracts, such inferior longitudinal fasciculi, fronto-occipital corticospinal tracts. Furthermore, unimodal for reductions FA along increased mean diffusivity those tracts ASD, providing further disrupted anatomical connectivity. Taken together, our findings suggest that, brain morphology may co-occur specific networks, comprehensive view understanding this disorder.