Shared and Distinct Topologically Structural Connectivity Patterns in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious neuroimaging studies have described shared and distinct neurobiological mechanisms between autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, little is known about the similarities and differences in topologically structural connectivity patterns between the two disorders.MethodsDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and deterministic tractography were used to construct the brain white matter (WM) structural networks of children and adolescents (age range, 6–16 years); 31 had ASD, 34 had ADHD, and 30 were age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD) individuals. Then, graph theoretical analysis was performed to investigate the alterations in the global and node-based properties of the WM structural networks in these groups. Next, measures of ASD traits [Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS)] and ADHD traits (Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham, version IV scale, SNAP-IV) were correlated with the alterations to determine the functional significance of such changes.ResultsFirst, there were no significant differences in the global network properties among the three groups; moreover, compared with that of the TD group, nodal degree (Ki) of the right amygdala (AMYG.R) and right parahippocampal gyrus (PHG.R) were found in both the ASD and ADHD groups. Also, the ASD and ADHD groups shared four additional hubs, including the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG.L), left superior temporal gyrus (STG.L), left postcentral gyrus (PoCG.L), and right middle frontal gyrus (MFG.R) compared with the TD group. Moreover, the ASD and ADHD groups exhibited no significant differences regarding regional connectivity characteristics. Second, the ADHD group showed significantly increased nodal betweenness centrality (Bi) of the left hippocampus (HIP.L) compared with the ASD group; also, compared with the ADHD group, the ASD group lacked the left anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG.L) as a hub. Last, decreased nodal efficiency (Enodal) of the AMYG.R, Ki of the AMYG.R, and Ki of the PHG.R were associated with higher SRS scores in the ASD group. Decreased Ki of the PHG.R was associated with higher SRS scores in the full sample, whereas decreased Bi of the PHG.R was associated with lower oppositional defiance subscale scores of the SNAP-IV in the ADHD group, and decreased Bi of the HIP.L was associated with lower inattention subscale scores of the SNAP-IV in the full sample.ConclusionFrom the perspective of the topological properties of brain WM structural networks, ADHD and ASD have both shared and distinct features. More interestingly, some shared and distinct topological properties of WM structures are related to the core symptoms of these disorders.

How does brain structure and function on MRI differ in children with autism spectrum disorder, developmental coordination disorder, and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?

“…There was also one DTI study that compared DCD with ADHD (Langevin et al, 2014). Section 3.3.2 of the results illustrate studies that compared ASD and ADHD (Table 5), 10 of which conducted structural MRI (Albajara et al, 2020;Baribeau et al, 2019;Bethlehem et al, 2017;Boedhoe et al, 2020;Brieber et al, 2007;Fine et al, 2014;Lim et al, 2015;Mostofsky et al, 2007;Park et al, 2018;Vasa et al, 2012), three DTI (Ameis et al, 2016;Aoki et al, 2017;Qian et al, 2021), two resting-state fMRI (Di Martino et al, 2013;Jung et al, 2019), and three multimodality MRI (Cordova et al, 2020;Henry et al, 2019;Ray et al, 2014).…”

“…The sample size of these studies varied from n = 10 to n = 723. Fifteen studies used structural MRI to measure brain size (Albajara et al, 2020; Baribeau et al, 2019; Bethlehem et al, 2017; Boedhoe et al, 2020; Brieber et al, 2007; Caeyenberghs et al, 2016; Fine et al, 2014; Langevin et al, 2015; Lim et al, 2015; Mahajan et al, 2016; Mostofsky et al, 2007; Nickel et al, 2018; Shaw et al, 2016; Shook, 2015; Vasa et al, 2012), five studies used diffusion tensor imaging for structural connectivity (Ameis et al, 2016; Aoki et al, 2017; Langevin et al, 2014; Qian et al, 2021; Shook, 2015), and eight studies used resting‐state fMRI to investigate functional connectivity between brain regions (Dajani et al, 2019; Di Martino et al, 2013; Jung et al, 2019; McLeod et al, 2014, 2016; Rohr et al, 2021; Shook, 2015; Wan et al, 2019). There were also three multimodality studies—structural and resting‐state MRI (Cordova et al, 2020; Henry et al, 2019; Ray et al, 2014).…”

Transdiagnostic Profiles of Behaviour and Communication Relate to Academic and Socioemotional Functioning and Neural White Matter Organisation

“…Variation in global white matter organisation has been linked to differences in general cognitive abilities, reading and mathematics skills (Bathelt et al, 2018a;Bathelt et al, 2019, Koenis et al, 2015. It has also been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and ASD (Beare et al, 2017;Cao et al, 2013;Qian et al, 2021), with both shared and distinct differences reported in white matter organisation across children with different neurodevelopmental disorders (Ameis et al, 2016;Qian et al, 2021).…”

“…Variation in global white matter organisation has been linked to differences in general cognitive abilities, reading and mathematics skills (Bathelt et al, 2018a; Bathelt et al, 2019, Koenis et al, 2015). It has also been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and ASD (Beare et al, 2017; Cao et al, 2013; Qian et al, 2021), with both shared and distinct differences reported in white matter organisation across children with different neurodevelopmental disorders (Ameis et al, 2016; Qian et al, 2021). Examples of structural neural substrate variation implicated in multiple neurodevelopmental conditions include the corticostriatal circuits, thalamic radiations, and interhemispheric pathways (Ameis et al, 2016; Aoki et al, 2017; Arnsten & Rubia, 2012; Tung et al, 2021; Zhao et al, 2022).…”

Associations between Neonatal Jaundice and Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Nationwide Population Based Cohort Study

“…More than half of children on the autism spectrum have symptoms of attention de cit disorder [11] . Through neuroimaging studies mapping the social brain showed patterns of associations were similar in ASD and ADHD, also supporting a common underlying biology and boundaries between these disorders [12,13] .…”