Resources available for autism research in the big data era: a systematic review

Abstract

Recently, there has been a move encouraged by many stakeholders towards generating big, open data in many areas of research. One area where big, open data is particularly valuable is in research relating to complex heterogeneous disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The inconsistencies of findings and the great heterogeneity of ASD necessitate the use of big and open data to tackle important challenges such as understanding and defining the heterogeneity and potential subtypes of ASD. To this end, a number of initiatives have been established that aim to develop big and/or open data resources for autism research. In order to provide a useful data reference for autism researchers, a systematic search for ASD data resources was conducted using the Scopus database, the Google search engine, and the pages on ‘recommended repositories’ by key journals, and the findings were translated into a comprehensive list focused on ASD data. The aim of this review is to systematically search for all available ASD data resources providing the following data types: phenotypic, neuroimaging, human brain connectivity matrices, human brain statistical maps, biospecimens, and ASD participant recruitment. A total of 33 resources were found containing different types of data from varying numbers of participants. Description of the data available from each data resource, and links to each resource is provided. Moreover, key implications are addressed and underrepresented areas of data are identified.

Immersive 5G Virtual Reality Visualization Display System Based on Big-Data Digital City Technology

“…In the threedimensional space, we also use (x, y, z) to represent a vector. According to the context, we can understand whether it represents a point or a vector [7].…”

Coupling of autism genes to tissue-wide expression and dysfunction of synapse, calcium signalling and transcriptional regulation

“…The genetic studies have allowed formation of ASD databases for investigations [ 27 , 28 ]. The early network analyses using the SFARI database have identified ASD pathways of abnormal synaptic function, chromatin remodelling and ion channel activity [ 29 ] which are highly connected by MAPK signalling and calcium channels, with some genes associated with cardiac and neurodegenerative disorders [ 30 ].…”

Ethical issues in genomics research on neurodevelopmental disorders: a critical interpretive review

“…At the same time, NDD research poses specific challenges and risks to data protection and privacy. It often includes collection of large amounts of sensitive information not only about research subjects, but also about their family members, which requires protection against access by third parties [61]. Breaches of confidentiality and privacy, as well as ill-considered publishing of individual-level research results, may lead to discrimination and stigmatization of individuals of group by insurers or employers [62,63] or by social institutions and public policies [64].…”