Intrinsic functional network organization in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
Converging theories and data suggest that atypical patterns of functional and structural connectivity are a hallmark neurobiological feature of autism. However, empirical studies of functional connectivity, or, the correlation of MRI signal between brain regions, have largely been conducted during t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | en_US |
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Frontiers Research Foundation
2013
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/82935 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1158-5692 |
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| author | Redcay, Elizabeth Moran, Joseph M. Tager-Flusberg, Helen Gabrieli, John D. E. Mavros, Penelope L. Whitfield-Gabrieli, Susan |
| author2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences |
| author_facet | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences Redcay, Elizabeth Moran, Joseph M. Tager-Flusberg, Helen Gabrieli, John D. E. Mavros, Penelope L. Whitfield-Gabrieli, Susan |
| author_sort | Redcay, Elizabeth |
| collection | MIT |
| description | Converging theories and data suggest that atypical patterns of functional and structural connectivity are a hallmark neurobiological feature of autism. However, empirical studies of functional connectivity, or, the correlation of MRI signal between brain regions, have largely been conducted during task performance and/or focused on group differences within one network [e.g., the default mode network (DMN)]. This narrow focus on task-based connectivity and single network analyses precludes investigation of whole-brain intrinsic network organization in autism. To assess whole-brain network properties in adolescents with autism, we collected resting-state functional connectivity MRI (rs-fcMRI) data from neurotypical (NT) adolescents and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We used graph theory metrics on rs-fcMRI data with 34 regions of interest (i.e., nodes) that encompass four different functionally defined networks: cingulo-opercular, cerebellar, fronto-parietal, and DMN (Fair et al., 2009). Contrary to our hypotheses, network analyses revealed minimal differences between groups with one exception. Betweenness centrality, which indicates the degree to which a seed (or node) functions as a hub within and between networks, was greater for participants with autism for the right lateral parietal (RLatP) region of the DMN. Follow-up seed-based analyses demonstrated greater functional connectivity in ASD than NT groups between the RLatP seed and another region of the DMN, the anterior medial prefrontal cortex. Greater connectivity between these regions was related to lower ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) scores (i.e., lower impairment) in autism. These findings do not support current theories of underconnectivity in autism, but, rather, underscore the need for future studies to systematically examine factors that can influence patterns of intrinsic connectivity such as autism severity, age, and head motion. |
| first_indexed | 2024-09-23T11:54:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | mit-1721.1/82935 |
| institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| language | en_US |
| last_indexed | 2024-09-23T11:54:59Z |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publisher | Frontiers Research Foundation |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | mit-1721.1/829352022-09-27T22:48:36Z Intrinsic functional network organization in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorder Redcay, Elizabeth Moran, Joseph M. Tager-Flusberg, Helen Gabrieli, John D. E. Mavros, Penelope L. Whitfield-Gabrieli, Susan Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT Simons Center for the Social Brain (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Rushton, Penelope Mavros Gabrieli, John D. E. Gabrieli, Susan Converging theories and data suggest that atypical patterns of functional and structural connectivity are a hallmark neurobiological feature of autism. However, empirical studies of functional connectivity, or, the correlation of MRI signal between brain regions, have largely been conducted during task performance and/or focused on group differences within one network [e.g., the default mode network (DMN)]. This narrow focus on task-based connectivity and single network analyses precludes investigation of whole-brain intrinsic network organization in autism. To assess whole-brain network properties in adolescents with autism, we collected resting-state functional connectivity MRI (rs-fcMRI) data from neurotypical (NT) adolescents and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We used graph theory metrics on rs-fcMRI data with 34 regions of interest (i.e., nodes) that encompass four different functionally defined networks: cingulo-opercular, cerebellar, fronto-parietal, and DMN (Fair et al., 2009). Contrary to our hypotheses, network analyses revealed minimal differences between groups with one exception. Betweenness centrality, which indicates the degree to which a seed (or node) functions as a hub within and between networks, was greater for participants with autism for the right lateral parietal (RLatP) region of the DMN. Follow-up seed-based analyses demonstrated greater functional connectivity in ASD than NT groups between the RLatP seed and another region of the DMN, the anterior medial prefrontal cortex. Greater connectivity between these regions was related to lower ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) scores (i.e., lower impairment) in autism. These findings do not support current theories of underconnectivity in autism, but, rather, underscore the need for future studies to systematically examine factors that can influence patterns of intrinsic connectivity such as autism severity, age, and head motion. Autism Consortium 2013-12-16T20:02:09Z 2013-12-16T20:02:09Z 2013-09 2013-06 Article http://purl.org/eprint/type/JournalArticle 1662-5161 http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/82935 Redcay, Elizabeth, Joseph M. Moran, Penelope L. Mavros, Helen Tager-Flusberg, John D. E. Gabrieli, and Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli. “Intrinsic functional network organization in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 7 (2013). https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1158-5692 en_US http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2013.00573 Frontiers in Human Neuroscience Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use. application/pdf Frontiers Research Foundation Frontiers Research Foundation |
| spellingShingle | Redcay, Elizabeth Moran, Joseph M. Tager-Flusberg, Helen Gabrieli, John D. E. Mavros, Penelope L. Whitfield-Gabrieli, Susan Intrinsic functional network organization in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorder |
| title | Intrinsic functional network organization in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorder |
| title_full | Intrinsic functional network organization in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorder |
| title_fullStr | Intrinsic functional network organization in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorder |
| title_full_unstemmed | Intrinsic functional network organization in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorder |
| title_short | Intrinsic functional network organization in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorder |
| title_sort | intrinsic functional network organization in high functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorder |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/82935 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1158-5692 |
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