Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Autism

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• Status: Withdrawn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: Autistic Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)

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

Study Locations

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

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 6 years to 10 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

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

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	once

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Study record dates

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: Autism; Human Volunteers; Asperger Syndrome; Restricted repetitive behavior; Stereotyped patterns of behavior; Typically Developing children
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder
• Other Study ID Numbers: 1R03HD051656 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)