Global and Regional Structural Differences and Prediction of Autistic Traits during Adolescence

Abstract

Background: Autistic traits are commonly viewed as dimensional in nature, and as continuously distributed in the general population. In this respect, the identification of predictive values of markers such as subtle autism-related alterations in brain morphology for parameter values of autistic traits could increase our understanding of this dimensional occasion. However, currently, very little is known about how these traits correspond to alterations in brain morphology in typically developing individuals, particularly during a time period where changes due to brain development processes do not provide a bias. Therefore, in the present study, we analyzed brain volume, cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA) in a cohort of 14–15-year-old adolescents (N = 285, female: N = 162) and tested their predictive value for autistic traits, assessed with the social responsiveness scale (SRS) two years later at the age of 16–17 years, using a regression-based approach. We found that autistic traits were significantly predicted by volumetric changes in the amygdala (r = 0.181), cerebellum (r = 0.128) and hippocampus (r = −0.181, r = −0.203), both in boys and girls. Moreover, the CT of the superior frontal region was negatively correlated (r = −0.144) with SRS scores. Furthermore, we observed a significant association between the SRS total score and smaller left putamen volume, specifically in boys (r = −0.217), but not in girls. Our findings suggest that neural correlates of autistic traits also seem to lie on a continuum in the general population, are determined by limbic–striatal neuroanatomical brain areas, and are partly dependent on sex. As we imaged adolescents from a large population-based cohort within a small age range, these data may help to increase the understanding of autistic-like occasions in otherwise typically developing individuals.

Brain functional gradient and structure features in adolescent and adult autism spectrum disorders

“…Research has confirmed that limbic regions such as the amygdala and hippocampus are functionally related to impaired abilities in ASD, which are correlated with repetitive and stereotyped behavior (Fu et al, 2022 ; Nees et al, 2022 ; Thabault et al, 2022 ). Our results showed that the limbic gray value in the ASD group was lower than that in the adult HC group.…”

Insights into the structure and function of the hippocampus: implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of autism spectrum disorder

“…In other words, autistic traits have a robust correspondence with reduced brain volume in the hippocampus that is related to social processing, working memory, perceptual reasoning, and spatial learning. One possible hypothesis is that high-functioning autistic populations may experience an adaptive reduction in hippocampal volume as a result of their decreased specific functional demands on the hippocampus and altered interactions with the environment ( 37 ). Decreased hippocampal volume in ASD individuals was also related to impaired language skills, including verbal learning and memory ( 32 , 38 ).…”

Exploiting moderate hypoxia to benefit patients with brain disease: Molecular mechanisms and translational research in progress

“…Moreover, our planned "high-altitude" training of autistic children and their parents in our hypoxia chamber will commence in due course (L. P. with H. E.). This is a worldwide unique pilot study in a frequent condition, challenging diagnostic competences as well as reliability of follow-up measures, 133,134 and thus far lacking biology-based treatments. 135 We hypothesize that intensive motor-cognitive training within a defined social setting (family condition) that consists of 3 h daily for 3 weeks in a hypoxia training chamber (12% O 2 ; conditions comparable as described above for adults) will lastingly improve autistic symptoms and motor performance as well as improve cognitive dysfunction in children diagnosed with autism and/or intellectual disability.…”