Middle Longitudinal Fascicle Maldevelopment on Free Water Corrected MR Diffusion Underlies Language Impairment in Autism

IF 2.3 4区 医学 Q3 CLINICAL NEUROLOGY
Doudou Cao, Litong Ni, Qi Qi, Lan Zhou, Wei Zhang, Yi Wang, Li Zhu, Guolin Ma, Fan Zhang, Shijun Li
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Abstract

Background and Purpose

The middle longitudinal fascicle (MdLF), a recently characterized white matter tract within the ventral language network, remains understudied in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We hypothesized that altered microstructural development of the MdLF contributes to language impairment in children with ASD.

Methods

Free water corrected diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tractography was employed to reconstruct the MdLF in 57 children with ASD (5.79±0.99 years) and 37 matched typically developing (TD) controls (5.99±1.38 years), aged 4–9 years. Language impairment was assessed using the Autism Behavior Checklist language subscale. General linear models and partial correlations (covarying age) were applied to investigate age-related differences of diffusion metrics and the correlation of diffusion metrics with language impairment in ASD.

Results

Significant age-by-group interactions emerged for bilateral MdLF fractional anisotropy tissue (FAt) (TD: left/right β = 0.614/0.511, p < 0.01; ASD: p > 0.05) and axial diffusivity tissue (ADt) (ASD: left/right β = −0.458/−0.348, p < 0.05; TD: p > 0.05). In ASD, FAt (r = −0.441, p < 0.001) and ADt (r = −0.28, p = 0.037) were negatively correlated with language impairment, while radial diffusivity tissue showed a positive correlation (r = 0.355, p = 0.007) in the right MdLF. There were no significant between-group differences found in diffusion metrics.

Conclusions

The MdLF exhibits aberrant developmental trajectories in preschool children with ASD, and its microstructural integrity is linked to language impairment. These findings underscore the MdLF's role in ASD-related language deficits and highlight the importance of early neurodevelopmental assessment.

自由水校正磁共振扩散的中纵束发育不良是自闭症语言障碍的基础
背景与目的中纵束(MdLF)是最近在腹侧语言网络中发现的一个白质束,在自闭症谱系障碍(ASD)中的研究尚不充分。我们假设MdLF的微观结构发育改变有助于ASD儿童的语言障碍。方法对57例(5.79±0.99岁)和37例(5.99±1.38岁)4 ~ 9岁的正常发育(TD)儿童(5.99±1.38岁)采用游离水校正弥散性磁共振(MRI)束道成像重建MdLF。使用自闭症行为检查表语言子量表评估语言障碍。采用一般线性模型和部分相关模型(共变年龄)研究ASD中扩散指标的年龄相关差异以及扩散指标与语言障碍的相关性。结果双侧MdLF分数各向异性组织(FAt)出现显著的年龄组相互作用(TD:左/右β = 0.614/0.511, p <;0.01;ASD: p >;0.05)和轴向扩散性组织(ADt) (ASD:左/右β =−0.458/−0.348,p <;0.05;TD: p >;0.05)。在ASD中,FAt (r = - 0.441, p <;0.001)和ADt (r = - 0.28, p = 0.037)与语言障碍呈负相关,而右侧MdLF的径向扩散率组织呈正相关(r = 0.355, p = 0.007)。扩散指标组间无显著差异。结论学龄前ASD患儿的MdLF表现出异常的发育轨迹,其微观结构完整性与语言障碍有关。这些发现强调了MdLF在自闭症相关语言缺陷中的作用,并强调了早期神经发育评估的重要性。
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来源期刊
Journal of Neuroimaging
Journal of Neuroimaging 医学-核医学
CiteScore
4.70
自引率
0.00%
发文量
117
审稿时长
6-12 weeks
期刊介绍: Start reading the Journal of Neuroimaging to learn the latest neurological imaging techniques. The peer-reviewed research is written in a practical clinical context, giving you the information you need on: MRI CT Carotid Ultrasound and TCD SPECT PET Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology Functional MRI Xenon CT and other new and upcoming neuroscientific modalities.The Journal of Neuroimaging addresses the full spectrum of human nervous system disease, including stroke, neoplasia, degenerating and demyelinating disease, epilepsy, tumors, lesions, infectious disease, cerebral vascular arterial diseases, toxic-metabolic disease, psychoses, dementias, heredo-familial disease, and trauma.Offering original research, review articles, case reports, neuroimaging CPCs, and evaluations of instruments and technology relevant to the nervous system, the Journal of Neuroimaging focuses on useful clinical developments and applications, tested techniques and interpretations, patient care, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Start reading today!
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