Reduction in grey matter volume and its correlation with clinical symptoms in Chinese boys with low functioning autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Background Previous studies have reported changes within grey matter (GM) volume in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, little is known about GM volume changes and the relation with symptom severity in Chinese boys with low functioning autism spectrum disorder (LFASD). Method GM volume was analysed using SPM 8 and compared between 16 boys with LFASD as well as 16 typically developing (TD) boys (using REST 1.8). Additionally, the correlation between GM volume and clinical symptoms was analysed, using subscales within the Autism Behaviour Checklist (ABC). Results The comparison showed a reduced volume of GM in 11 clusters in the boys with LFASD (i.e., the left inferior frontal gyrus, orbital part; right superior temporal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, dorsolateral; precuneus and postcentral; bilateral rectus and middle temporal gyrus) and 1 area with increased GM volume (right caudate) compared to the TD group. Additionally, the GM volume of the left inferior frontal gyrus, orbital part was negatively correlated with the Social subscale score of the ABC (r = −0.765, P = 0.002), and the GM volume of the left Rectus was negatively associated with the Language, Body concept and Self‐care subscale scores and the total score on the ABC(r = −0.624, P = 0.023; r = −0.657, P = 0.011; r = −0.618, P = 0.025; r = −0.625, P = 0.022). Further, the GM volume of the right Caudate was negatively correlated with the Sensory subscale on the ABC (r = −0.593, P = 0.033). Conclusion In conclusion, the current study's findings display that the GM volume was widely reduced in Chinese boys with LFASD compared to TD boys and negatively correlated with the clinical symptoms, indicating a possible pathological mechanism of LFASD.

Identifying and Predicting Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on Multi-Site Structural MRI With Machine Learning

“…In light of the meta-analysis based on large samples, the volume of GM in the insula and inferior parietal lobe decreased (Cauda et al, 2011). Li et al (2019) have found that the GM volume of the bilateral gyrus rectus decreased, and the left rectus was negatively correlated with the clinical symptom score. Although it is not reported that the volume changes in the olfactory cortex of patients with ASD, the olfactory cortex is located at the anterior bottom of the limbic system and reciprocally connected with other structures, such as the amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, the olfactory cortex is related to emotion and memory.…”

Abnormalities of Gray Matter Volume and Its Correlation with Clinical Symptoms in Adolescents with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Our results showed both increases and decreases in cerebellar GMV in adolescents with ASD with VBM analysis, which is consistent with some previous studies. 16 , 20 , 21 However, some previous studies failed to find any significant difference in cerebellar GMV between patients with ASD and TD controls, 28 , 61 even only increased 39 , 62 or decreased 41 , 63 , 64 cerebellar GMV in individuals with ASD. There may be several reasons for this discrepancy, such as the small sample size, differences in sample characteristics (eg, different developmental ages, gender, and IQ), differences in scanner techniques, including field strengths and sequence parameters, and differences in GMV analysis (postmortem autopsy vs region of interest analysis vs voxel-based approach) in these previous studies.…”

“…However, some other studies failed to report any difference in GMV values between patients with ASD and TD controls, 17 , 26–28 or even most of the brain regions with decreased GMV in Chinese boys with low functioning ASD. 41 The discrepancy of the studies above could be partly due to the relatively small sample size, different sample characteristics, limited brain regions investigated, and differences in GMV analysis (voxel-based approach vs ROI-based approach) in these previous studies.…”

“…A more recent study observed that GMV of the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), rectus, and caudate were negatively correlated with the subscale scores or total score on the Scale for the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) in Chinese boys with low functioning ASD. 41 The inconsistency of the studies above could be due, in part, to the relatively small sample size, or differences in sample characteristics and methodological approaches. In the current study, we used VBM approach 42 to investigate alterations in regional GMV of individuals with ASD.…”