Researchers Use Diffusion MRI to Explore Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Groundbreaking research utilizing Diffusion MRI has provided new insights into the brain structures of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By observing how water molecules move through the brain, researchers have uncovered structural differences in the neural pathways of autistic individuals compared to those who are not autistic.
Linking Structural Variations to Functional Impacts
Applying mathematical models, the research team has established a connection between these structural differences and functional impacts in the brain’s ability to conduct electricity and process information. The study has also demonstrated how these microstructural differences correlate with autism diagnostic scores, offering the potential for more precise diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Key Findings
- A UVA study has utilized Diffusion MRI to identify brain microstructural differences related to slower electrical conductivity in individuals with autism, attributed to variations in axon diameter.
- These structural differences can be directly linked to scores on the Social Communication Questionnaire, enhancing the potential for precise diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
- This research is part of the NIH’s Autism Center of Excellence initiative, aiming to advance understanding and treatment of autism through a precision medicine approach.
Source: University of Virginia
Promising Approach to Understanding Autism’s Complexity
Autism spectrum disorder presents a wide range of symptoms and severity, making it an intricate condition to fully comprehend. However, groundbreaking research conducted by the University of Virginia suggests a promising approach that may pave the way for advancements not only in understanding autism but also in the study of other neurological diseases and disorders.
Innovative Technique to Uncover Brain Differences
Conventional approaches to autism research have primarily focused on studying the disorder through its behavioral consequences, often overlooking the underlying causes. To address this gap, UVA researchers have employed Diffusion MRI, a technique that measures the diffusion of water in biological tissue. By observing water movement in the brain and its interactions with cellular membranes, the research team has achieved an in-depth understanding of the physiological differences between autistic and non-autistic individuals.
Lead author and UVA postdoctoral researcher, Benjamin Newman, said, “This new approach examines the neuronal differences that contribute to the etiology of autism spectrum disorder.”
Connecting Brain Structure to Function
Building upon the renowned work of Nobel laureates Alan Hodgkin and Andrew Huxley, who studied the electrical conductivity of neurons, Newman and his team adapted these concepts to understand the distinct differences in neural conductivity between autistic and non-autistic individuals. By utilizing advanced neuroimaging data and computational methodologies, the researchers formulated mathematical models to calculate the conductivity of neural axons and their capacity to transmit information in the brain. Notably, the study also demonstrates a direct relationship between these microstructural differences and scores on the Social Communication Questionnaire, a commonly used clinical tool for autism diagnosis.
John Darrell Van Horn, professor of psychology and data science at UVA, emphasized the need for greater precision in physiological metrics to comprehend the origins of autistic behaviors. Van Horn stated, “This research goes beyond observing differences in cognitive functional activation; it examines how the brain conducts information through dynamic networks, highlighting the uniquely distinct characteristics of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.”
Advancing Precision Medicine Approaches to Autism
Newman, Van Horn, and their co-authors, Jason Druzgal and Kevin Pelphrey, are affiliated with the National Institute of Health’s Autism Center of Excellence (ACE). The research aligns with ACE’s overarching goal of pioneering a precision medicine approach to autism, providing a foundation to measure treatment response and identify potential avenues for future therapeutic developments.
Moreover, the study’s implications extend beyond autism, with the potential to enhance the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of other neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Van Horn concluded, “This research unveils a new tool for measuring the properties of neurons, and its future applications are incredibly exciting as we explore its full potential.”
Reference
Newman, B. et al. (2021).Conduction velocity, G-ratio, and extracellular water as microstructural characteristics of autism spectrum disorder. PLOS ONE.
Retrieved from https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0301964
