Diffusion tensor imaging study on white matter structure in children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Objective To explore the white matter microstructural change between autism spectrum disorder(ASD) children and the healthy controls and it's correlation with the age and the clinical symptoms. Methods Thirty-three patients with ASD and thirty-three healthy controls (HC) matched for sex-, age- and handedness underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scans. Use the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule(ADOS)and the Neuropsychological Development Inventory for Children Aged 0-6 Years Old (SLAS) to assess the clinical symptoms. Use tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) based on fiber skeleton to analyze the fractional anisotropy (FA) of the whole brain DTI then to identify the differentiated brain regions.And analyze the correlation with age and clinical symptoms. Results (1) FA value of the body of corpus callosum(BCC)(x=-10, y=11, z=26; P=0.0012), left posterior limb of internal capsule(LPLI)(x=-23, y=-11, z=12; P<0.01), left anterior corona radiata(LACR)(x=-28, y=28, z=16; P<0.01), lift superior corona radiata(LSCR)(x=-27, y=-1, z=21; P=0.0017) was significantly lower in ASD group .(2) There was a positive correlation between the FA value of LPLI and the LACR、LSCR with age among the ASD group(r=0.436, P=0.012; r=0.443, P=0.010; r=0.475, P=0.005). There was a negative correlation between the FA value of the BCC, LPLI and the LACR, LSCR with the age among the HC children. (3) There was a correlation between the LPLI with the score of ADOS (communication: r=0.406, P=0.025; communication+ social behavior: r=0.377, P=0.039; restrictive interests and repetitive behaviors: r=0.375, P=0.041) and SLAS(gross motor: r=-0.409, P=0.024), There was a correlation between the LSCR with the score of the SLAS (gross motor: r=-0.539, P=0.002, adaptive capacity: r=-0.373, P=0.041, mental age: r=-0.388, P=0.034) . Conclusion The brain white matter microstructure change of BCC, LPLI, LACR, LSCR may be the pathophysiological basis of ASD.The development trend of brain white matter structure varied with age in ASD children is different from that of normal children. Brain white matter microstructure of the LPLI, LSCR is correlation with ASD symptoms. Key words: Autism spectrum disorder(ASD); Diffusion tensor imaging(DTI); Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS)