Imaging Brain and Movement in ASD

描述（由申请人提供）：我们建议使用同时进行的大脑和运动成像对自闭症的运动功能进行首次全面的定量研究。由联合研究员Makeig和他的同事开发的一种新系统（移动脑/身体成像，MoBI），将使我们能够在自我发起和定向运动期间测量自然全身运动的时间，准确性和效率，同时记录高密度脑电图。我们将测试25名自闭症青少年（12-16岁）和25名正常发育的年龄和智商匹配的对照组。参与者将完成一系列神经心理测试、功能评估、MR和弥散张量成像以及MoBI脑和运动成像。另外10名患有自闭症的低功能幼儿（4-8岁），他们经常出现重复的刻板动作，将在刻板印象期间参与大脑和运动成像。这个探索性R21项目的目的是开发和完善用于自闭症个体的数据收集和分析方法，以便：(1)明确自闭症或阿斯伯格障碍青少年运动功能异常的性质；(2)识别相关的潜在大脑网络，支持ASD和典型发育对照的运动预期、计划和执行；(3)研究运动功能障碍与ASD其他认知症状（如运动障碍、视觉-运动整合）和社交症状的关系；(4)在一个小样本的低功能自闭症儿童中检测重复性和刻板动作中的运动功能和大脑激活。相关性：认识到运动功能障碍是ASD的一个突出特征，这些问题甚至可能是一些认知和社会缺陷的一个促成因素，导致了各种以运动或感觉运动训练为特征的干预措施。然而，由于对ASD中运动功能障碍的具体性质知之甚少，这些治疗方法几乎没有科学指导。运动症状的具体异常和严重程度因人而异，目前还没有公认的模型来组织这种变异性或形成基于运动功能障碍模式的亚型。此外，由于运动成像固有的问题，对运动症状背后的脑功能知之甚少。拟议的研究将解决这些问题。这项研究的目的是初步探索运动和相关脑功能的模式，这些模式可能用于组织ASD运动功能障碍的变异性，并探索运动功能障碍与其他认知和社会症状的关联。本探索性研究的方法和数据也将为检验解释模型的大样本研究提供基础。分离导致各种运动障碍的特定潜在机制（例如，时间，预期）将为有效的干预提供信息，从而不仅可以改善运动能力，还可以改善由运动功能障碍影响的行为问题。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We propose to conduct a first-ever comprehensive quantitative investigation of motor function in autism using simultaneous brain and movement imaging. A novel system developed by Co- Investigator Makeig and his colleagues (Mobile Brain/Body Imaging, MoBI), will allow us to measure timing, accuracy and efficiency of natural full body motion during self-initiated and directed movement while simultaneously recording high density EEG. We will test 25 ASD adolescents (aged 12-16) and 25 typically developing age- and IQ-matched controls. Participants will complete a series of neuropsychological tests, functional assessments, MR and Diffusion Tensor Imaging and MoBI brain and movement imaging. An additional 10 low-functioning young children with autism (aged 4-8) who evidence frequent episodes of repetitive, stereotyped movements will participate in brain and movement imaging during stereotypies. The objective of this exploratory R21 project is to develop and refine data collection and analytic methods for use with ASD individuals in order to: (1) specify the nature of abnormalities of motor function in adolescents with autism or Asperger's disorder; (2) identify the associated underlying brain networks that support motor anticipation, planning and execution in ASD and in typically developing controls; (3) investigate the association of motor dysfunction with other cognitive (e.g., dyspraxia, visual-motor integration) and social symptoms of ASD; and (4) examine motor function and brain activation during repetitive and stereotyped movements in a small sample of low functioning children with autism. Relevance: The recognition that motor dysfunction is a prominent feature in ASD and that these problems may even be a contributing factor in some cognitive and social deficits has led to a variety of interventions featuring motor or sensory-motor training. However, because little is known about the specific nature of motor dysfunction in ASD, these therapies have little scientific guidance. Specific abnormalities and severity of motor symptoms vary from individual to individual, and there is currently no accepted model for organizing this variability or forming sub-types based on patterns of motor dysfunction. Moreover, because of problems inherent in imaging motion, little is known about brain function underlying motor symptoms. The proposed study will address these issues. The study goal is to provide an initial exploration of patterns of motor and associated brain function that may be used to organize the variability in ASD motor dysfunction, and an exploration of the association of motor dysfunction with other cognitive and social symptoms. Methods and data from this exploratory study will also provide the base for a large sample study from which explanatory models can be tested. Isolating specific underlying mechanisms that lead to a variety of motor impairments (e.g., timing, anticipation) would inform effective intervention that may in turn improve not only motor competence but also behavioral problems that are affected by motor dysfunction. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Problems with motor function are prominent in autism, but may differ greatly from person to person. While motor problems can clearly affect daily function, they may also affect social function and may contribute to difficulty learning social skills during early childhood. Our novel system for imaging natural movement and brain activity at the same time will allow us to identify underlying similarities across different impaired movements which will increase our understanding of the nature of motor behavior in ASD and will guide development of effective intervention.