title: Widespread Disrupted White Matter Microstructure in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are characterised by impaired social communication and restricted repetitive behaviours. Researchers posit that these core features may be underpinned by disrupted structural connectivity. A tract based spatial statistical analysis of diffusion MRI data was performed to investigate white matter organisation (an indication of structural connectivity) in a well-defined cohort of 45 ASD and 45 age and IQ matched control participants. Aberrant structural connectivity characterised by reduced fractional anisotropy was observed in several fiber pathways in ASD relative to controls. Disrupted white matter organisation was associated with social deficits and restricted repetitive behaviours in ASD. Abnormal structural connectivity is apparent in ASD and may be linked to the core behavioural features of the disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. fitzgeje@tcd.ie.|Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, 3.36b Lloyd Building, Dublin, Ireland. fitzgeje@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.|Linndara Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.|Linndara Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGrath
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D066127:White Matter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Autism spectrum disorders; DTI; Diffusion imaging; Fractional anisotropy; Structural connectivity; TBSS