Abstract
Sensory dysfunction is a core symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and abnormalities with sensory responsivity and processing can be extremely debilitating to ASD patients and their families. However, relatively little is known about the underlying neuroanatomical and neurophysiological factors that lead to sensory abnormalities in ASD. Investigation into these aspects of ASD could lead to significant advancements in our general knowledge about ASD, as well as provide targets for treatment and inform diagnostic procedures. Thus, the current study aimed to measure the covariation of volumes of brain structures (i.e., structural magnetic resonance imaging) that may be involved in abnormal sensory processing, in order to infer connectivity of these brain regions. Specifically, we quantified the structural covariation of sensory-related cerebral cortical structures, in addition to the cerebellum and amygdala by computing partial correlations between the structural volumes of these structures. These analyses were performed in participants with ASD (n = 36), as well as typically developing peers (n = 32). Results showed decreased structural covariation between sensory-related cortical structures, especially between the left and right cerebral hemispheres, in participants with ASD. In contrast, these same participants presented with increased structural covariation of structures in the right cerebral hemisphere. Additionally, sensory-related cerebral structures exhibited decreased structural covariation with functionally identified cerebellar networks. Also, the left amygdala showed significantly increased structural covariation with cerebral structures related to visual processing. Taken together, these results may suggest several patterns of altered connectivity both within and between cerebral cortices and other brain structures that may be related to sensory processing.
Highlights
Diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) underwent revision in 2013 [DSM 5 [1]]
The current study aimed to investigate anatomical relationships between cortical and subcortical structures involved in sensory processing as well as the cerebellum and amygdala as an initial step toward examining the neurobiological underpinnings of sensory dys function in ASD
Significant differences in these particular brain regions, which are highly associated with sensory processing, may be related to abnormalities in sensory function in the ASD group
Summary
Diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) underwent revision in 2013 [DSM 5 [1]]. Overstimulation perceived as threatening could be related to enhanced fear responses in ASD, which would likely be mediated by non-sensory-specific brain regions [31,32,33] Following this line of reasoning, the amygdala could be postu lated as involved in the abnormal sensory responsivity in ASD, given its classic role in fear processing, its connections to sensory systems, and oft reported abnormalities in ASD [6, 34,35,36]. The current investigation aimed to evaluate the morphological covariation between cortical regions known to be associated with sensory function, such as the temporal and occipital cortices and post-central gyrus, as well as supramodal brain areas that may be instrumental in sensory processing and dysfunction in ASD, including the cerebellum, amygdala, and language-related areas (e.g., supramarginal gyrus and caudal medial prefrontal cortex). We hypothesized that sensory cortices would exhibit stronger covariance to the amygdala in those with ASD relative to matched controls
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