Emerging functional connectivity differences in newborn infants vulnerable to autism spectrum disorders
Emerging functional connectivity differences in newborn infants vulnerable to autism spectrum disorders
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DOI：
10.1038/s41398-020-0805-y
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发表时间：
2020-05-06
影响因子：
6.8
通讯作者：
McAlonan, Grainne
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Ciarrusta, Judit;Dimitrova, Ralica;McAlonan, Grainne
对自闭症谱系障碍 (ASD) 动物模型的研究表明，非典型早期神经活动是一种核心脆弱机制，它会改变功能连接并导致神经回路成熟不良。然而，与人类 ASD 相关的潜在生物学变化仍不清楚。对诊断为自闭症谱系障碍的个体的功能连接研究结果具有高度异质性，部分原因是复杂的终生继发和/或补偿事件。为了最大限度地减少这些混淆并检查主要的脆弱机制，我们需要研究非常早期的大脑发育。在这里，我们测试了这样一个假设：由于自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）家族史，新生儿的大脑功能连接发生了改变，这些人容易患这种疾病。我们对患有或不患有 ASD 一级亲属的新生儿进行了高时间分辨率多波段静息态功能磁共振成像 (fMRI)。使用区域同质性（ReHo）分析来量化局部功能连接的差异，并使用距离相关分析来评估远程连接。与年龄匹配的对照组相比，一级亲属患有 ASD 的新生儿在多个静息状态网络中的 ReHo 显着更高；远程连接方面没有差异。非典型的局部功能活动可能构成脆弱性的生物标志，这可能先于诊断患有自闭症谱系障碍的老年人报告的远程连接中断。
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.