Brainstem volumetric alterations in children with autism

Jou, Roger J.; Minshew, Nancy J.; Melhem, Nadine M.; Keshavan, Matcheri S.; Hardan, Antonio Y.

doi:10.1017/s0033291708004376

Cited by 55 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(54 reference statements)

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“…However, this finding is consistent with other recent research suggesting brainstem atypicalities are related to central features of ASD. For example, Jou and colleagues (2009) found that gray matter volume of the brainstem was related to oral sensory sensitivity in ASD and that gray matter volume of the brainstem developed atypically in children and adolescents with ASD (Jou et al 2013). In addition, Cohen and colleagues (I.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brainstem White Matter Predicts Individual Differences in Manual Motor Difficulties and Symptom Severity in Autism

Travers

Bigler

Tromp

et al. 2015

J Autism Dev Disord

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Mounting evidence suggests that poorer motor skills may be related to more severe autism symptoms. This study investigated if atypical white matter microstructure in the brain mediated the relationship between motor skills and ASD symptom severity. Sixty-seven males with ASD and 42 males with typical development (5-33 years old) completed a diffusion tensor imaging scan and measures of grip strength, finger tapping, and autism symptom severity. Within the ASD group, weaker grip strength predicted more severe autism symptoms. Fractional anisotropy of the brainstem's corticospinal tract predicted both grip strength and autism symptom severity and mediated the relationship between the two. These findings suggest that brainstem white matter may contribute to autism symptoms and grip strength in ASD.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brainstem White Matter Predicts Individual Differences in Manual Motor Difficulties and Symptom Severity in Autism

Travers

Bigler

Tromp

et al. 2015

J Autism Dev Disord

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“…In actual fact, structural neuroimaging studies have found few converging results: increased brain volume in ASD, modified GM density or volume in the brainstem,13 amygdala, hippocampus and cerebellum 14. To the best of our knowledge, no papers have attempted to statistically summarise the neuroanatomical results available in the literature.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grey matter abnormality in autism spectrum disorder: an activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis study

Cauda

Geda

Sacco

et al. 2011

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry

176

159

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Significant ALE values related to GM increases were observed bilaterally in the cerebellum, in the middle temporal gyrus, in the right anterior cingulate cortex, caudate head, insula, fusiform gyrus, precuneus and posterior cingulate cortex, and in the left lingual gyrus. GM decreases were observed bilaterally in the cerebellar tonsil and inferior parietal lobule, in the right amygdala, insula, middle temporal gyrus, caudate tail and precuneus and in the left precentral gyrus.

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“…Additionally, two cross-sectional volumetric MRI investigations observed no differences in the brainstem volume in ASD compared to controls [16, 17]. In contrast, a recent study of brainstem volumes reported reductions in whole brainstem volume and total brainstem gray matter in the group of mainly adult participants with autism [18]. While many studies have examined the brainstem for abnormalities in ASD, the findings remain both inconsistent and inconclusive.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A two-year longitudinal pilot MRI study of the brainstem in autism

Jou

Frazier

Keshavan

et al. 2013

Behavioural Brain Research

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Research has demonstrated the potential role of the brainstem in the pathobiology of autism. Previous studies have suggested reductions in brainstem volume and a relationship between this structure and sensory abnormalities. However, little is known regarding the developmental aspects of the brainstem across childhood and adolescence. The goal of this pilot study was to examine brainstem development via MRI volumetry using a longitudinal research design. Participants included 23 boys with autism and 23 matched controls (age range = 7–17 years), all without intellectual disability. Participants underwent structural MRI scans once at baseline and again at two-year follow-up. Brainstem volumetric measurements were performed using the BRAINS2 software package. There were no significant group differences in age, gender, handedness, and total brain volume; however, full-scale IQ was higher in controls. Autism and control groups showed different patterns of growth in brainstem volume. While whole brainstem volume remained stable in controls over the two-year period, the autism group showed increases with age reaching volumes comparable to controls by age 15 years. This increase of whole brainstem volume was primarily driven by bilateral increases in gray matter volume. Findings from this preliminary study are suggestive of developmental brainstem abnormalities in autism primarily involving gray matter structures. These findings are consistent with autism being conceptualized as a neurodevelopmental disorder with alterations in brain-growth trajectories. More longitudinal MRI studies are needed integrating longitudinal cognitive/behavioral data to confirm and elucidate the clinical significance of these atypical growth patterns.

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Brainstem volumetric alterations in children with autism

Abstract: BACKGROUND-Although several studies have examined brainstem volume in autism, results have been mixed and no investigation has specifically measured gray and white matter structures. The goal of this investigation was to assess gray and white matter volumes in children with autism.

Cited by 55 publications

References 32 publications

Brainstem White Matter Predicts Individual Differences in Manual Motor Difficulties and Symptom Severity in Autism

Brainstem White Matter Predicts Individual Differences in Manual Motor Difficulties and Symptom Severity in Autism

Grey matter abnormality in autism spectrum disorder: an activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis study

A two-year longitudinal pilot MRI study of the brainstem in autism

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