New quantitative technique shows microstructural brain alternations in autism spectrum disorder

New quantitative technique shows microstructural brain alternations in autism spectrum disorder
Credit: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers

A new study found significant changes in white matter pathways in the brains of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using a novel technique called Automated Fiber Quantification (AFQ). Evidence of both increases and decreases in diffusion across white matter tracts and the relationship of these changes to patient age are reported in Brain Connectivity.

Lauren Libero, UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, Sacramento, CA, Wesley Burge, Hrishikesh Deshpande, and Rajesh Kana, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Franco Pestilli, Indiana University, Bloomington, describe the AFQ technique in the article entitled "White Matter Diffusion of Major Fiber Tracts Implicated in Autism Spectrum Disorder." AFQ gives researchers access to diffusion information along an entire tract of , instead of having to rely on average measures, which may improve their ability to identify clinical differences that are linked to microstructural changes in the brain.

"Autism researchers have hypothesized that the disorder is caused by large-scale disruptions in ," says Christopher Pawela, PhD, Co-Editor-in-Chief of Brain Connectivity and Assistant Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin. "Lauren Libero and colleagues support this hypothesis by demonstrating that subtle alterations of white matter tracts, which are the structural wiring system in the brain, are present in affected individuals. They performed this work using their newly developed methodology that provides increased sensitivity to white matter changes."

More information: Lauren E. Libero et al, White Matter Diffusion of Major Fiber Tracts Implicated in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Brain Connectivity (2016). DOI: 10.1089/brain.2016.0442

Citation: New quantitative technique shows microstructural brain alternations in autism spectrum disorder (2016, November 16) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-11-quantitative-technique-microstructural-brain-alternations.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Insomnia linked to damage in brain communication networks

4 shares

Feedback to editors