title: Age-related changes in intrinsic function of the superior temporal sulcus in autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: Currently, the developmental trajectories of neural circuits implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are largely unknown. Here, we specifically focused on age-related changes in the functional circuitry of the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), a key hub underlying social-cognitive processes known to be impaired in ASD. Using a cross-sectional approach, we analysed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data collected from children, adolescents and adults available through the autism brain imaging data exchange repository [n = 106 with ASD and n = 109 typical controls (TC), ages 7-30 years]. The observed age-related changes of pSTS intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) suggest that no single developmental pattern characterizes ASD. Instead, pSTS circuitry displayed a complex developmental picture, with some functional circuits showing patterns consistent with atypical development in ASD relative to TC (pSTS-iFC with fusiform gyrus and angular gyrus) and others showing delayed maturation (pSTS-iFC with regions of the action perception network). Distinct developmental trajectories in different functional circuits in ASD likely reflect differential age-related changes in the socio-cognitive processes they underlie. Increasing insight on these mechanisms is a critical step in the development of age-specific interventions in ASD.
authors: New York University, Langone Medical Center, Child Study Center, New York, NY, USA, KU Leuven, Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Leuven, Belgium, Kaat.Alaerts@faber.kuleuven.be.
authors: Kaat
authors: K
authors: Alaerts
authors: New York University, Langone Medical Center, Child Study Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Kritika
authors: K
authors: Nayar
authors: New York University, Langone Medical Center, Child Study Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Clare
authors: C
authors: Kelly
authors: New York University, Langone Medical Center, Child Study Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Raithel
authors: Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA, and Center for the Developing Brain, Child Mind Institute, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Michael P
authors: MP
authors: Milham
authors: New York University, Langone Medical Center, Child Study Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Adriana
authors: A
authors: Di Martino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: autism brain imaging data exchange; autism spectrum disorders; developmental changes; intrinsic functional connectivity; posterior superior temporal sulcus