TY - JOUR
T1 - Emerging functional connectivity differences in newborn infants vulnerable to autism spectrum disorders
AU - Ciarrusta, Judit
AU - Dimitrova, Ralica
AU - Batalle, Dafnis
AU - O'Muircheartaigh, Jonathan
AU - Cordero-Grande, Lucilio
AU - Price, Anthony
AU - Hughes, Emer
AU - Kangas, Johanna
AU - Perry, Emily
AU - Javed, Ayesha
AU - Demilew, Jill
AU - Hajnal, Joseph
AU - Edwards, Anthony David
AU - Murphy, Declan
AU - Arichi, Tomoki
AU - McAlonan, Grainne
PY - 2020/12/1
Y1 - 2020/12/1
N2 - Studies in animal models of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) suggest atypical early neural activity is a core vulnerability mechanism which alters functional connectivity and predisposes to dysmaturation of neural circuits. However, underlying biological changes associated to ASD in humans remain unclear. Results from functional connectivity studies of individuals diagnosed with ASD are highly heterogeneous, in part because of complex life-long secondary and/or compensatory events. To minimize these confounds and examine primary vulnerability mechanisms, we need to investigate very early brain development. Here, we tested the hypothesis that brain functional connectivity is altered in neonates who are vulnerable to this condition due to a family history of ASD. We acquired high temporal resolution multiband resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in newborn infants with and without a first-degree relative with ASD. Differences in local functional connectivity were quantified using regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis and long-range connectivity was assessed using distance correlation analysis. Neonates who have a first-degree relative with ASD had significantly higher ReHo within multiple resting state networks in comparison to age matched controls; there were no differences in long range connectivity. Atypical local functional activity may constitute a biomarker of vulnerability, that might precede disruptions in long range connectivity reported in older individuals diagnosed with ASD.
AB - Studies in animal models of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) suggest atypical early neural activity is a core vulnerability mechanism which alters functional connectivity and predisposes to dysmaturation of neural circuits. However, underlying biological changes associated to ASD in humans remain unclear. Results from functional connectivity studies of individuals diagnosed with ASD are highly heterogeneous, in part because of complex life-long secondary and/or compensatory events. To minimize these confounds and examine primary vulnerability mechanisms, we need to investigate very early brain development. Here, we tested the hypothesis that brain functional connectivity is altered in neonates who are vulnerable to this condition due to a family history of ASD. We acquired high temporal resolution multiband resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in newborn infants with and without a first-degree relative with ASD. Differences in local functional connectivity were quantified using regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis and long-range connectivity was assessed using distance correlation analysis. Neonates who have a first-degree relative with ASD had significantly higher ReHo within multiple resting state networks in comparison to age matched controls; there were no differences in long range connectivity. Atypical local functional activity may constitute a biomarker of vulnerability, that might precede disruptions in long range connectivity reported in older individuals diagnosed with ASD.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85084389267&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/s41398-020-0805-y
DO - 10.1038/s41398-020-0805-y
M3 - Article
C2 - 32376820
SN - 2158-3188
VL - 10
JO - Translational psychiatry
JF - Translational psychiatry
IS - 1
M1 - 131
ER -
