The Role of Thalamocortical Networks in the Symptomatology of Autism Spectrum Disorders

The Role of Thalamocortical Networks in the Symptomatology of Autism Spectrum Disorders PDF Author: Aarti Nair
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781321928600
Category : Autism spectrum disorders in children
Languages : en
Pages : 74

Get Book Here

Book Description
Rationale : The present dissertation project specifically sought to understand brain networks connecting with the thalamus, an important subcortical relay structure through which almost all sensory information is routed. In view of the known fundamental importance of thalamocortical connectivity for the development of regional functional specialization in cerebral cortex, it is surprising how little firm knowledge is available about the thalamus and its connections with cortex in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Therefore, it is crucial to examine the role of the thalamus in regulating these functions for an improved understanding of neurodevelopmental mechanisms associated with ASD. Design : The first study of this project examined functional and anatomical connectivity between five broad cortical regions of interests (ROIs; e.g., temporal lobes) and the thalamus for a sample of children and adolescents with ASD (N=26) compared to TD controls (N=27). This first study allowed us to broadly characterize the connectivity between ipsilateral thalamus and the different lobes. In the second study, we delved deeper into the specificity of connections between more narrowly specialized regions (e.g., fusiform gyrus or anterior temporal pole) and the thalamus for a larger sample of children and adolescents with ASD (N=37) compared to TD controls (N=38). Results : In the first study, we found evidence of both anatomical and functional underconnectivity between the prefrontal, parietal-occipital, motor, and somatosensory cortices with ipsilateral thalamus. The only exception was functional connectivity with the temporal lobe, which was increased in the ASD group, especially in the right hemisphere. Delving deeper into the specificity of these connections in the second study, we found that functional connectivity was atypically reduced in the ASD group for supramodal association cortices involved in higher-order cognition (e.g., language, face processing), but was increased for sensorimotor and limbic regions (e.g., auditory cortex). Discussions : Our findings provide evidence of regionally specific aberrations of thalamic connectivity in frontal and temporal lobes, with additional involvement of some parieto-occipital ROIs. These findings could be related to early maturation of limbic and sensorimotor regions in the context of early overgrowth in ASD, at the expense of thalamocortical connectivity with later maturing cortical regions.

The Role of Thalamocortical Networks in the Symptomatology of Autism Spectrum Disorders

The Role of Thalamocortical Networks in the Symptomatology of Autism Spectrum Disorders PDF Author: Aarti Nair
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781321928600
Category : Autism spectrum disorders in children
Languages : en
Pages : 74

Get Book Here

Book Description
Rationale : The present dissertation project specifically sought to understand brain networks connecting with the thalamus, an important subcortical relay structure through which almost all sensory information is routed. In view of the known fundamental importance of thalamocortical connectivity for the development of regional functional specialization in cerebral cortex, it is surprising how little firm knowledge is available about the thalamus and its connections with cortex in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Therefore, it is crucial to examine the role of the thalamus in regulating these functions for an improved understanding of neurodevelopmental mechanisms associated with ASD. Design : The first study of this project examined functional and anatomical connectivity between five broad cortical regions of interests (ROIs; e.g., temporal lobes) and the thalamus for a sample of children and adolescents with ASD (N=26) compared to TD controls (N=27). This first study allowed us to broadly characterize the connectivity between ipsilateral thalamus and the different lobes. In the second study, we delved deeper into the specificity of connections between more narrowly specialized regions (e.g., fusiform gyrus or anterior temporal pole) and the thalamus for a larger sample of children and adolescents with ASD (N=37) compared to TD controls (N=38). Results : In the first study, we found evidence of both anatomical and functional underconnectivity between the prefrontal, parietal-occipital, motor, and somatosensory cortices with ipsilateral thalamus. The only exception was functional connectivity with the temporal lobe, which was increased in the ASD group, especially in the right hemisphere. Delving deeper into the specificity of these connections in the second study, we found that functional connectivity was atypically reduced in the ASD group for supramodal association cortices involved in higher-order cognition (e.g., language, face processing), but was increased for sensorimotor and limbic regions (e.g., auditory cortex). Discussions : Our findings provide evidence of regionally specific aberrations of thalamic connectivity in frontal and temporal lobes, with additional involvement of some parieto-occipital ROIs. These findings could be related to early maturation of limbic and sensorimotor regions in the context of early overgrowth in ASD, at the expense of thalamocortical connectivity with later maturing cortical regions.

Links Between Thalamocortical and Cerebrocerebellar Functional Connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Links Between Thalamocortical and Cerebrocerebellar Functional Connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electronic books
Languages : en
Pages : 52

Get Book Here

Book Description
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a set of developmental disorders characterized by impacted social and communicative abilities, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Recent ASD research has shown that network-level communication within the brain may play a large role in the manifestation of these symptoms. Specifically, recent studies have suggested domain-specific patterns of increased connectivity for sensorimotor connections and decreased connectivity for supramodal or associative connections for both thalamocortical and cerebrocerebellar circuits in ASD. The current study aimed to test whether functional connectivity between cerebellar lobules and the neocortex was related to functional connectivity between thalamic nuclei and the neocortex. We further sought to determine how these deep brain functional connectivity patterns correlated with ASD symptom severity as measured by clinical assessments. Archival resting state fMRI data from 49 ASD and 49 typically developing (TD) participants (aged 7 to 17 years) were used for this study. ASD and TD participants were matched at the group level on age, nonverbal IQ, and in-scanner head motion. A standard fMRI preprocessing pipeline was utilized, including motion, slice-time, and field map correction, spatial smoothing and bandpass filtering, and removal of nuisance regressors (i.e., 6 rigid-body motion parameters, and signal from white matter and ventricles). Regions of interest (ROIs) for cerebral cortex, thalamic regions, and cerebellar lobules were obtained from the Jülich histological and Harvard-Oxford atlases. Total correlation analyses between the mean time series of each cortical ROI and deep brain parcel showed widespread overconnectivity in the ASD group compared to the TD group. This was the case for both thalamocortical and cerebrocerebellar iFC circuits, stemming from both sensorimotor and supramodal cortical seeds. These circuits also showed far less specificity in ASD, with generally higher correlations between the iFC pairings themselves. Finally, it was shown that for participants with ASD, as iFC patterns deviated from those of the TD group, symptom severity based on clinical assessments also worsened across several domains. These findings suggest that thalamocortical and cerebrocerebellar iFC may be guided by similar neural dynamics, which may have many implications for developmental hypotheses of ASD that focus on network formation.

Comprehensive Guide to Autism

Comprehensive Guide to Autism PDF Author: Vinood B. Patel
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9781461447870
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
Autism is a complex multifaceted disorder affecting neurodevelopment during the early years of life and, for many, throughout the life span. Inherent features include difficulties or deficits in communication, social interaction, cognition, and interpersonal behavioral coordination, to name just a few. Autism profoundly impacts the affected individual, the family, and, in many cases, the localized communities. The increased prevalence of childhood autism has resulted in rapid developments in a wide range of disciplines in recent years. Nevertheless, despite intensive research, the cause(s) remain unresolved and no single treatment strategy is employed. To address these issues, Comprehensive Guide to Autism is an all-embracing reference that offers analyses and discussions of contemporary issues in the field of autism. The work brings together scientific material from leading experts in the field relating to a wide range of important current topics, such as the early identification and treatment of children with autism, pertinent social and behavioral studies, recent developments in genetics and immunology, the influence of diet, models of autism, and future treatment prospects. Comprehensive Guide to Autism contains essential readings for behavioral science researchers, psychologists, physicians, social workers, parents, and caregivers.

Translational Neuropsychopharmacology

Translational Neuropsychopharmacology PDF Author: Trevor W. Robbins
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319339133
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 503

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book covers wide areas of animal and human psychopharmacology with clinical utility in the treatment of psychiatric and neurological (e.g Alzheimer's disease) disorders. The main theme is to develop a new paradigm for drug discovery that questions the claim that animal models or assays fail adequately to predict Phase 3 clinical trials. A new paradigm is advocated that stresses the importance of intermediate staging points between these extremes that depend on suitable translation of findings from animal studies to Phase 1 or Phase 2 studies utilising experimental medicine.

Autism Imaging and Devices

Autism Imaging and Devices PDF Author: Manuel F. Casanova
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1315354195
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 977

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book covers state-of-the-art medical image analysis approaches currently pursued in autism research. Chapters cover recent advances in diagnosis using structural neuroimaging. All aspects of imaging are included, such as electrophysiology (EEG, ERP, QEEG, and MEG), postmortem techniques, and advantages and difficulties of depositing/acquiring images in larger databases. The book incorporates 2D, 3D, and 4D imaging and advances scientific research within the broad field of autism imaging.

Cognitive Plasticity in Neurologic Disorders

Cognitive Plasticity in Neurologic Disorders PDF Author: Joseph I. Tracy
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0199965242
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 433

Get Book Here

Book Description
This volume makes clear that the cognitive and behavioural symptoms of neurologic disorders and syndromes are dynamic and changing. Each chapter describes the neuroplastic processes at work in a particular condition, giving rise to these ongoing cognitive changes.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorders PDF Author: David Amaral
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199707472
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 1445

Get Book Here

Book Description
Autism is an emerging area of basic and clinical research, and has only recently been recognized as a major topic in biomedical research. Approximately 1 in 150 children are diagnosed as autistic, so it is also an intense growth area in behavioral and educational treatments. Financial resources have begun to be raised for more comprehensive research and an increasing number of scientists are becoming involved in autism research. In many respects, autism has become a model for conducting translational research on a psychiatric disorder. This text provides a comprehensive summary of all current knowledge related to the behavioral, experiential, and biomedical features of the autism spectrum disorders including major behavioral and cognitive syndromology, common co-morbid conditions, neuropathology, neuroimmunology, and other neurological correlates such as seizures, allergy and immunology, gastroenterology, infectious disease, and epidemiology. Edited by three leading researchers, this volume contains over 80 chapters and nine shorter commentaries by thought leaders in the field, making the book a virtual "who's who" of autism research. This carefully developed book is a comprehensive and authoritative reference for what we know in this area as well as a guidepost for the next several years in all areas of autism research.

Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-II

Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-II PDF Author: Thomas Oakland
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0080559786
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 431

Get Book Here

Book Description
Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-II summarizes information on adaptive behavior and skills as well as general issues in adaptive behavior assessment with the goal of promoting sound assessment practice during uses, interpretations, and applications of the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-II. Adaptive behavior and skills refer to personal qualities associated with the ability to meet one’s personal needs such as communication, self-care, socialization, etc. and those of others. Data from measures of adaptive behavior have been used most commonly in assessment and intervention services for persons with mental retardation. However, the display of adaptive behaviors and skills is relevant to all persons. The Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-II (ABAS-II) provides a comprehensive, norm-referenced assessment of the adaptive behavior and skills of individuals from birth through age 89. The comprehensive natures of the ABAS-II, ease in administration and scoring, and wide age range have resulted in its widespread use for a large number of assessment purposes. The book provides practical information and thus serves as a valuable resource for those who use the ABAS-II. Assists in the functional use of the ABAS-II Provides case studies illustrating use of the ABAS-II in comprehensive assessment and intervention planning Reviews scholarship on adaptive behaviors and skills Describes legal, ethical, and other professional standards and guidelines that apply to the use of the ABAS-II and other measures of adaptive behavior Discusses the use of the ABAS-II with autism, mental retardation; young children and those in elementary and secondary school; as well as incarcerated persons being evaluated for possible mental retardation

Molecular Neuropathology

Molecular Neuropathology PDF Author: Gareth W. Roberts
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521425582
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 204

Get Book Here

Book Description
This volume provides an introduction to the essential techniques required for studying the molecular biology of brain disease. The approaches and strategies for investigations of gene structure and regulation are described with reference to the molecular genetics of prion and Alzheimer's disease. The effects of aberrant gene regulation can also be examined at the protein level by immunocytochemistry and autoradiography. Improved understanding of basic biology has resulted in new approaches to animal models using transgenic techniques and new therapeutic approaches. The volume is structured to illustrate all these approaches and demonstrate the practice and promise of molecular neuropathology.

Autism Spectrum Disorders in Adults

Autism Spectrum Disorders in Adults PDF Author: Bernardo Barahona Corrêa
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 331942713X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 278

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this book a group of international experts guide the reader through the clinical features of adults with autism spectrum disorders, describe the care needs of patients and their families, explain the evolution of the disorders into old age, and highlight what can be done to help. Detailed attention is paid to the medical and psychiatric problems of adults with these disorders and the approach to their education and professional integration. In addition, expert neuroscientists summarize current views on the neurobiology of autism. Autism spectrum disorders are devastating neurodevelopmental disorders. Although diagnosis and therapeutic interventions usually take place in infancy, they are chronic lifelong conditions. Surprisingly, the literature on autism spectrum disorders in adults is scarce. Moreover, most mental health professionals working with adults have little training in autism, and adult mental health services around the world are rarely prepared to address the needs of these patients, which tend to increase with age. This book therefore fills a crucial gap in the literature and will prove useful for all who care for and deal with adults in the Autistic Spectrum.