FMRI STDY OF FRAGILE X SYNDROME AND ABERRANT GAZE BEHAVIOR

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中的一个 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源。子项目及 研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金， 因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。所列机构为 研究中心，而研究中心不一定是研究者所在的机构。 本研究旨在加强对脆性X综合征和异常凝视行为的认识，并利用已知遗传病因的疾病来促进对其他社交缺陷疾病的理解。 通过在凝视处理任务中利用功能性磁共振成像，我们试图确定与脆性X综合征青少年男性凝视回避行为相关的神经相关性。 眼神交流是社会交往的基本组成部分。感知、维持或调节眼睛注视的能力的中断对社会和神经发育有深远的影响。脆性X综合征（FXS）是最常见的遗传性精神发育迟滞形式，通常以在社会交往中避免直接目光接触的行为倾向而闻名。 先前的一项研究观察了患有FXS的青春期女孩的凝视处理，发现与年龄和性别匹配的对照组相比，患有FXS的女孩确实有异常的凝视处理。这项研究观察了患有这种疾病的男性的凝视处理，因为男性更容易受到这种综合征的影响，这是由于对单一X染色体的依赖，以及与年龄和性别匹配的对照组以及年龄，智商和性别匹配的对照组的比较。 结果表明，男性与障碍显示超激活边缘系统区域时，眼睛的目光是针对他们和招聘内侧前额叶区域时，目光是针对远离他们，模式是不同的两组控制。 在未来，我们希望对两种性别进行功能连接研究，调查用于社会互动的镜像神经元区域，以及直接的性别比较。 其总体目标是帮助发展行为疗法，重点是受综合征影响的人的社会能力，以及那些有类似社会障碍的人。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This study was performed to fortify knowledge of Fragile X syndrome and aberrant gaze behavior, as well as utilizing a disorder of known genetic etiology to advance understanding of other disorders with social deficits. By utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging during a gaze processing task, we sought to determine neural correlates associated with gaze avoidance behavior in adolescent males with Fragile X syndrome. Eye contact is a fundamental component of social interactions. A disruption in the ability to perceive, maintain, or regulate eye gaze has profound influence on social and neural development. Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common known form of inherited mental retardation, is often noted for a behavioral propensity to avoid direct eye contact during social interactions. A previous study looking at the gaze processing of adolescent girls with FXS found girls with the syndrome did have aberrant gaze processing as compared to age and gender-matched controls. This study looked at the gaze processing in males with the disorder, as males are more affected by the syndrome due to the reliance on a single X chromosome, as well as a comparison with age and gender-matched controls and age, IQ, and gender-matched controls. The results indicate that males with the disorder show hyper-activation in limbic regions when eye gaze is directed toward them and recruit medial prefrontal areas when gaze is directed away from them, patterns that are distinct from both groups of controls. In the future, we hope to do a functional connectivity study with both genders, an investigation of mirror neuron regions recruited for social interactions, as well as a direct gender comparison. The overarching goal is to aid in the development of behavioral therapies concentrated on the social abilities of those affected by the syndrome, as well as those with similar social impairments.