Glymphatic system dysfunction in children with autism spectrum disorder as evidenced by the diffusion tensor imaging along perivascular spaces index.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

This study aims to evaluate glymphatic system function in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by employing diffusion tensor imaging along perivascular spaces (DTI-ALPS), and investigate its relationship with visual-motor integration (VMI) function.

Materials and methods

A total of 78 individuals with ASD and 48 typically developing (TD) children were enrolled. All participants underwent diffusion tensor imaging on a 3-T MRI scanner. The DTI-ALPS index was calculated, and data on IQ and VMI function were obtained. Independent-samples t-test was used to compare the DTI-ALPS index between groups. Correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between the DTI-ALPS index and clinical variables, including core symptoms, within the ASD group. Mediation anal

SUBMITTER: Zhao S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12605367 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature