Connectivity-based parcellation reveals distinct cortico-striatal connectivity fingerprints in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Open access
Date
2018-04-15Type
- Journal Article
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been associated with abnormal synaptic development causing a breakdown in functional connectivity. However, when measured at the macro scale using resting state fMRI, these alterations are subtle and often difficult to detect due to the large heterogeneity of the pathology. Recently, we outlined a novel approach for generating robust biomarkers of resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) using connectivity based parcellation of gross morphological structures to improve single-subject reproducibility and generate more robust connectivity fingerprints. Here we apply this novel approach to investigating the organization and connectivity strength of the cortico-striatal system in a large sample of ASD individuals and typically developed (TD) controls (N=130 per group). Our results showed differences in the parcellation of the striatum in ASD. Specifically, the putamen was found to be one single structure in ASD, whereas this was split into anterior and posterior segments in an age, IQ, and head movement matched TD group. An analysis of the connectivity fingerprints revealed that the group differences in clustering were driven by differential connectivity between striatum and the supplementary motor area, posterior cingulate cortex, and posterior insula. Our approach for analysing RS-fMRI in clinical populations has provided clear evidence that cortico-striatal circuits are organized differently in ASD. Based on previous task-based segmentations of the striatum, we believe that the anterior putamen cluster present in TD, but not in ASD, likely contributes to social and language processes. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000129137Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
NeuroImageVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
ElsevierSubject
Autism Spectrum Disorder; Basal ganglia; Connectivity-based parcellation; Resting state fMRIOrganisational unit
03963 - Wenderoth, Nicole / Wenderoth, Nicole
Funding
ETH-38 16-2 - Linking meso- and macro-scale cortico-striatal functional connectomics: a DREADD-rsFMRI approach (ETHZ)
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