MRI measures of neural connectivity in Asperger's Disorder

描述（由申请方提供）：患有阿尔茨海默氏症的受试者存在社会认知缺陷，这可能是由于异常的大脑连接（贝尔蒙特等人，2004; Welchew等人，2005）。使用一组先进的MRI技术，我们提出了一项研究，以检查解剖和结构的连接在一组40名受试者与Alfreger的障碍和40个匹配的控制，专注于边缘/边缘区与社会认知（包括前，后扣带回，杏仁核，海马）。这一系列研究的动机是我们的初步工作，显示在休息状态的功能连接网络之间的变化与阿尔茨海默氏症的主题和健康对照。我们的具体目标是：1）使用功能连接来检查静息态网络差异; 2）使用弥散张量成像（DTI）来检查白色物质完整性; 3）检查年龄组和队列之间的发育影响。这项研究将使我们更清楚地了解自闭症的神经生物学，并可以为自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的扩展奠定基础。主要研究人员拥有的独特能力和资源为开展这项创新工作提供了极好的机会。公共卫生相关性：本计画将利用核磁共振成像（MRI）来研究大脑连接的测量方法，以探讨伯格氏症的社会缺陷。这些结果将进一步了解这种情况的生物学后果，并可能有助于开发新的诊断或治疗技术。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Subjects with Asperger's Disorder have deficits in social cognition, which may be due to abnormal brain connectivity (Belmonte, et al. 2004; Welchew, et al. 2005). Using a battery of advanced MRI techniques, we propose a study to examine anatomical and structural connectivity in a group of 40 subjects with Asperger's Disorder and 40 matched controls, focusing on limbic/paralimbic areas associated with social cognition (including the anterior and posterior cingulate, amygdala, and hippocampus). This line of research is motivated by our preliminary work showing alterations in resting-state functional connectivity networks between subjects with Asperger's Disorder and healthy controls. Our specific aims are: 1) to use functional connectivity to examine resting-state network differences; 2) to use diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to examine white matter integrity; and 3) to examine developmental effects between age groups and cohorts. This study will give us a clearer picture of the neurobiology of Asperger's Disorder, and can form the basis for extensions to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The unique capabilities and resources available to the primary investigators allow for an excellent opportunity to carry out this innovative work. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This project will investigate the social deficits in Asperger's Disorder using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine measures of brain connectivity. The results will further knowledge about the biological consequences of this condition, and possibly help to develop new diagnostic or therapeutic techniques.