Brain Volumetric and Cortical Thickness Changes in Autistic Children Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Case-Control Study

Authors

1 Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University.

2 Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Suez Canal University

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that includes a large constellation of disorders with overlapping symptoms. The diagnosis is based mainly on clinical symptoms meeting DSM-5 criteria. The specific neuropathologic aberrations occurring in ASD are still under investigation. Aim: This study aimed at providing a preliminary database for better understanding of the neuropathologic aspects of ASD using magnetic resonance imaging for assessment of brain macrostructure. Subjects and methods: This case-control study included a total of 40 children, 20 cases (diagnosed with ASD) and 20 control (Typically Developing Children, TDC) aged 2-18 years. 3D-T1 Images were acquired and then uploaded to Volbrain and brain segmentation was done using Volbrain 2.0 pipeline. Results: ASD group displayed statistically significant larger intracranial cavity, brain, white matter, grey matter, and cerebrospinal fluid volumes (p < 0.001 for all except CSF volume p= 0.01) with the white matter occupying a higher percentage of intracranial volume in ASD compared to TDC group (p <0.001). The cortical thickness showed a statistically significant larger volume in the entorhinal cortex in the ASD group compared to the TDC group on both sides (p < 0.001 on the right side, p= 0.003 on the left side). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the main pathology of ASD is within the white matter with the social brain structures being the most affected regions in the autistic brain.
 

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