Structural and Functional Neuroimaging of the Auditory System in Autism

描述（由申请人提供）：没有已知的结构，功能或遗传异常导致自闭症。鉴于自闭症的原因并不单一，因此评估多种生物标志物以更好地了解自闭症是有利的。这个项目建立在我们对自闭症的神经生物学基础的有限知识之上。特别是，这个K01提案旨在整合结构和功能性大脑数据，以了解结构缺陷如何导致神经功能障碍，以及这些结构和功能性大脑异常如何引起自闭症症状。主要目标是检查听觉辐射和听觉皮层，因为听觉系统的功能和结构异常与自闭症有关。本研究利用磁共振扩散成像来定量评估听觉辐射的白色物质和脑磁灰质（MEG）来测量上级颞回内的活动并确定听觉系统的神经元计时。这个项目的第一个目标是开发HARDI指标来评估特定白色物质束的微观结构。第二个目标是使用HARDI纤维跟踪沿着HARDI指标来测量与自闭症相关的听觉系统中的微结构异常。第三个是相关的扩散MR指标与听觉皮层反应从MEG自闭症儿童。第四个也是最后一个目标是研究来自额叶的输入对听觉corex活动的作用。这套独特的HARDI和MEG可以为自闭症的神经生物学基础提供融合的证据。该项目由Timothy Roberts博士和Susan Levy博士指导。计划开展培训活动，为候选人提供MEG实验使用和自闭症临床管理方面的扩展专业知识。该研究和培训计划旨在补充候选人的背景，并导致作为神经精神疾病的独立调查员的职业生涯。该提案将在费城儿童医院（CHOP）的实验室和诊所内进行。拟议的K01项目利用了CHOP和宾夕法尼亚大学的独特资源和专家。 公共卫生相关性：自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）包括各种使儿童残疾并导致终身损害的症状。增加对自闭症大脑异常的理解可以导致新的诊断工具和早期治疗。改进的治疗方案可以通过促进自闭症患者的社会发展和融入社会而有益于公共卫生。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): There is no known structural, functional, or genetic abnormality that singularly causes autism. Given that there is not a single cause of autism, it is advantageous to assess multiple biomarkers to better understand autism. This project builds upon our limited knowledge of the neurobiological basis of autism. In particular, this K01 proposal seeks to integrate structural and functional brain data to learn how structural defects cause neurological dysfunction, and how these structural and functional brain abnormalities gives rise to autism symptoms. A primary goal is to examine the auditory radiation and auditory cortex because functional and structural abnormalities of the auditory system are associated with autism. This project uses diffusion MRI to quantitatively assess the white matter of the auditory radiation and magnetoencephalogray (MEG) to measure activity within the superior temporal gyrus and determine neuronal timings of the auditory system. The first goal of this project is to develop HARDI metrics to assess the microstructure of specific white matter tracts. The second goal is to use HARDI fiber tracking along with the HARDI metrics to measure microstructural abnormalities in the auditory system associated with autism. The third is to correlate diffusion MR metrics with auditory cortex responses from MEG in children with autism. The fourth and final goal is to investigate the role of input from the frontal lobe on auditory corex activity. This unique suite of HARDI and MEG can provide converging evidence on the neurobiological basis of autism. This project is mentored by Dr. Timothy Roberts and Dr. Susan Levy. Training activities are planned to provide the candidate with expanded expertise in the experimental use of MEG and the clinical management of autism. The research and training program are designed to complement the candidate's background and lead to a career as an independent investigator of neuropsychiatric disorders. This proposal will be conducted within the laboratories and clinics of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). The proposed K01 project takes advantage of unique resources and experts available at CHOP and the University of Pennsylvania. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes a variety of symptoms that disable children and result in lifelong impairment. Increased understanding of brain abnormalities in autism can lead to new diagnostic tools and earlier treatments. Improved treatment options can benefit public health by promoting the social development and integration of patients with autism.