Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Autism

March 12, 2015 updated by: University of Florida

Using a new and more detailed approach to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) recently developed in our lab, the investigators hope to learn more about irregularities in the brain that are related to autism. The investigators are especially interested in brain regions that contribute to repetitive behaviors in children with autism. Repetitive behaviors include stereotyped motor movements (hand-flapping), self-injurious behaviors (head hitting), compulsions (lining up toys), insistence on things staying the same, and difficulty with change. These behaviors often interfere with learning, can disrupt daily functioning, and can lead to other behavioral problems. Two specific aims will be accomplished:

Aim 1: To examine the integrity of white matter pathways in high functioning autistic children. The investigators hypothesize that autism is associated with specific white matter abnormalities in the cerebellum and other motor circuits. Additionally, the investigators expect to confirm and expand on previous reports of cerebral abnormalities by using newly developed DTI methods.

Aim 2: To determine whether there is a relationship between white matter abnormalities and the occurrence of restricted repetitive behaviors in children with autism. The investigators hypothesize that differences in the occurrence and type of restricted repetitive behaviors between autistic individuals are correlated with specific regional white matter abnormalities.

Results from the proposed experiments should contribute to current knowledge of brain abnormalities in autism and their relationship to restricted repetitive behaviors, and may be relevant to understanding the mechanisms underlying motor deficits in this disorder.

Study Overview

Status

Withdrawn

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Using a new and more detailed approach to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) recently developed in our lab, the investigators aim to confirm and expand upon previous findings of white matter abnormalities throughout the brain in individuals with autism. The investigators have chosen to focus particularly on cerebellar and motor pathways in consideration of the prevalence of motor deficits in autism as well as brain structural studies that have indicated cerebellar abnormalities in autistic children. Finally, a proposal to investigate a possible functional association between white matter structure and the expression of restricted repetitive behaviors in autistic children, by correlating measures of white matter integrity with behavioral assessments indicating the severity of various forms of restricted repetitive behaviors. Two specific aims will be accomplished. Aim 1: To examine the integrity of white matter pathways in high functioning autistic children. The hypothesis is that autism is associated with specific white matter abnormalities in the cerebellum and other motor circuits. Additionally, it is expect to confirm and expand on previous reports of cerebral abnormalities by using newly developed DTI methods. Aim 2: To determine whether there is a relationship between white matter abnormalities and the occurrence of restricted repetitive behaviors in children with autism. The hypothesis is that differences in the occurrence and type of restricted repetitive behaviors between autistic individuals are correlated with specific regional white matter abnormalities. Results from the proposed experiments should contribute to current knowledge of brain abnormalities in autism and their relationship to restricted repetitive behaviors, and may be relevant to understanding the mechanisms underlying motor deficits in this disorder.

Study Type

Interventional

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Florida
      • Gainesville, Florida, United States, 32611
        • McKnight Brain Institute of the University of Florida

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

4 years to 8 years (Child)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • male, aged 8-12 years of age
  • clinical diagnoses of autism from a licensed professional for Autism or Asperger's Syndrome
  • IQ >80
  • no speech delay
  • no major sensory or motor deficits

Exclusion Criteria:

  • known genetic or medical conditions (e.g. Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, Turner's syndrome)
  • currently (within prior 3 months) taking anti-psychotic/dopamine-modulating medications

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Other: Children with Autism
A diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) will be done to examine the integrity of the white matter pathways in high functioning austistic children.
Other: diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)
Both groups will have a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) perform.
Other: Healthy Volunteers
A diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) will be done to examine the integrity of the white matter pathways in healthy volunteers.
Other: diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)
Both groups will have a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) perform.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
RBS-R scores, including both total and subset scores
Time Frame: once
once

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Florida

Investigators

  • Study Director: Mark H. Lewis, PhD, University of Florida

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

July 1, 2008

Primary Completion (Actual)

July 1, 2009

Study Completion (Actual)

July 1, 2009

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 28, 2006

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 28, 2006

First Posted (Estimate)

September 29, 2006

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

March 13, 2015

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 12, 2015

Last Verified

March 1, 2015

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 1R03HD051656 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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