A narrative review of MRI changes correlated to signs and symptoms of autism

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs during early childhood. The change from being normal across several contexts to displaying the behavioral phenotype of ASD occurs in infants and toddlers with autism. Findings provided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based research owing to the developmental phase, including potential pathways underlying the pathogenesis of the condition and the potential for signs and symptomatic risk prediction. The present study focuses on the characteristic features of magnetic resonance imaging autistic brain, how these changes are correlated to autism signs and symptoms and the implications of MRI as a potential tool for the early diagnosis of ASD. PRISMA style was used to conduct this review. Research articles related to the key concepts of this review, which is looking at MRI brain changes in autistic patients, were revised and incorporated with what is known with the pathophysiology of brain regions in relation to signs and symptoms of autism. Studies on brain MRI of autism were revied for major brain features and regions such as brain volume, cortex and hippocampus. This review reveals that brain changes seen in MRI are highly correlated with the signs and symptoms of autism. There are numerous distinct features noted in an autistic brain using MRI. Based on these findings, various developmental brain paths and autistic behavior culminate in a typical diagnosis, and it is possible that addressing these trajectories would improve the accuracy in which children are detected and provide the necessary treatment.

Vulnerability of the Hippocampus to Insults: Links to Blood–Brain Barrier Dysfunction

“…Several brain areas/features have been identified as atypical in ASD [390]. These include the amygdala, the lack of cortical asymmetry, the cerebellum, corpus callosum, striatum [393], and hippocampus [394]. While the hippocampus is often enlarged in ASD, it does not appear to be either the first or most affected structure, and there is no evidence linking ASD to risk for sporadic AD.…”

Innovative Approaches to Detecting Neurodevelopmental Disorders

“…In ASD research, MRI plays a crucial role in investigating alterations in brain regions associated with social communication, language processing, and emotional regulation. The precise imaging provided by MRI allows for the identification of subtle morphological changes that may not be apparent through traditional diagnostic methods [66]. Moreover, longitudinal MRI studies enable the tracking of brain development over time in individuals with ASD, explaining the dynamic nature of the disorder and its potential neurological basis and potentially leading to earlier interventions and improved outcomes for affected individuals [67].…”

Functional neuroimaging related to lower urinary tract sensations: Future directions for study designs and selection of patient groups: ICI‐RS 2023

“…Many different genetic syndromes and conditions are associated with ID. 23 Multiple imaging studies have been conducted in patients with ADHD, 24 ASD, 25 and ID. 26 Except for one study, the associations of NDs and incontinence have not been studied in children with NE or DUI, although all NDs show a high comorbidity with all types of incontinence.…”