MRI Brain (Volumetry, fMRI & MRS) in Autism

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

To reach a feasible method for diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) outcome measures:

1. Primary (main):

   Measurement of various brain structures, including the total brain volume, the volumes of specific brain regions (such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and cerebellum), and the thickness of the cortex.

   Detection of other concurrent lesions, e.g. tuberous sclerosis

2. Secondary (subsidiary):

levels of various neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and GABA, and other metabolites, such as N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), in specific regions of the brain Assessing neural activity and connectivity in the brain in the resting state

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: MRI

Detailed Description

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous disorder (or collection of related disorders) of multifactorial etiology, and with a great range in severity of symptoms. ASD affects approximately 1 in 166 children and is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls. Core features of individuals with autism include 1) impairment in reciprocal social interactions; 2) verbal and nonverbal communication deficits; 3) repetitive and ritualized behaviors; and 4) a narrow range of interests. Approximately 30% of individuals with ASD manifest some degree of mental retardation.

Magnetic-resonance (MR) examination allows researchers and clinicians to noninvasively examine brain anatomy in vivo. Structural MR examination is widely used to investigate brain morphology because of its high contrast sensitivity and spatial resolution, and because it entails no radiation exposure; the last feature is particularly important for children and adolescents.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has proven to be a useful tool to investigate aberrant neurobiological function in ASDs because of its excellent contrast properties, spatial resolution, and temporal resolution. fMRI uses specialized pulse sequences to localize metabolic correlates of neural activity linked to relevant neurocognitive processes

Investigating brain network activity during the resting state has emerged as a new method that eliminates the caveats of task-based fMRI studies

The fMRI signal is measured during the resting state and the data is analyzed based on a connectivity approach between subdivisions. To date, brain network activity during the resting state has been investigated in subjects with ASD and typical development in numerous studies. Overall, intrinsic connectivity between subdivisions of the brain is altered in patients with ASD compared to controls.

MRS's finding is that gamma oscillations are reduced in ASD patients. Gamma oscillations are generated by GABAergic neurons and are involved in sensory binding and higher cognitive functions.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 25

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Mohamed Ab Sayed, MSc; Phone Number: 00201008253457; Email: dr.abudeif@gmail.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Mohamed ab AbdelTawab, MD; Phone Number: 01009319309; Email: dr.m.tawab@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 3 years to 12 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children clinically diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Males and Females.
• Children with an IQ of more than 70%

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe forms of ASD.
• Children with IQ less than 70%.
• Children with claustrophobia.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Structural MRI brain volumetry	Measurement of various brain structures, including the total brain volume, the volumes of specific brain regions (such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and the cerebellum), and the thickness of the cortex.	Baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
resting functional MRI & MR spectroscopy	levels of various neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and GABA, and other metabolites, such as N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), in specific regions of the brain Assessing neural activity and connectivity in the brain in the resting state	Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Assiut University
• Investigators: Study Chair: Mohamed ab AbdelTawab, MD, Assiut University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Chakrabarti S, Fombonne E. Pervasive developmental disorders in preschool children. JAMA. 2001 Jun 27;285(24):3093-9. doi: 10.1001/jama.285.24.3093.
• Eliez S, Reiss AL. MRI neuroimaging of childhood psychiatric disorders: a selective review. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2000 Sep;41(6):679-94.
• Chao HT, Chen H, Samaco RC, Xue M, Chahrour M, Yoo J, Neul JL, Gong S, Lu HC, Heintz N, Ekker M, Rubenstein JL, Noebels JL, Rosenmund C, Zoghbi HY. Dysfunction in GABA signalling mediates autism-like stereotypies and Rett syndrome phenotypes. Nature. 2010 Nov 11;468(7321):263-9. doi: 10.1038/nature09582.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Anticipated): April 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): April 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Anticipated): May 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 24, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 24, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): March 7, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 14, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 12, 2023
• Last Verified: March 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: MRI brain in ASD
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Other Study ID Numbers: MRI Brain in Autism

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No