Reduced integration and differentiation of the imitation network in autism: A combined functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Converging evidence indicates that brain abnormalities in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involve atypical network connectivity, but few studies have integrated functional with structural connectivity measures. This multimodal investigation examined functional and structural connectivity of the imitation network in children and adolescents with ASD, and its links with clinical symptoms.

Methods

Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging were performed in 35 participants with ASD and 35 typically developing controls, aged 8 to 17 years, matched for age, gender, intelligence quotient, and head motion.

Results

Within-network analyses revealed overall reduced functional connectivity (FC) between distributed imitation region

SUBMITTER: Fishman I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4729560 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature