Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Autism

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Abstract

In this chapter, we describe the methods of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and we describe how these imaging methods have been applied to the study of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This chapter extends upon a recent review of the literature (Travers et al. 2012), by providing information on more recent studies and in-depth information regarding the white matter integrity of the cerebellar, frontal, and thalamic tracts. Therefore, we first review DTI studies of young children with ASD because these children are closest in age to the primary, initiating pathology of autism. Then, we present and discuss results from particular white matter tracts and brain regions of high interest from childhood into adulthood. Specific factors that may potentially influence and at times confound case–control differences in DTI studies are mentioned. We then discuss what DTI findings to date suggest about biological mechanisms involved in autism. Results from the reviewed studies are included in Table 8.7, which is an extension of the table presented in the review by Travers et al. (2012).

Keywords

Autism Spectrum Disorder White Matter Autism Spectrum Disorder Fractional Anisotropy Diffusion Tensor Imaging 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Notes

Acknowledgments

This chapter extended upon the review article (Travers et al. 2012), and we therefore thank Nagesh Adluru PhD, Chad Ennis, Do Tromp, Dan Destiche, Sam Doran, Erin D. Bigler PhD, and Nicholas Lange ScD, who contributed to the Autism Research review. This work was supported by NICHD T32 HD07489 Postdoctoral Training Award (BGT); NICHD P30 HD003352 (ALA); NIMH P50 MH84051 (ALA), NIMH R01 MH080826 (JEL, ALA), NIMH R01 MH084795 (JEL). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIMH, NICHD, or the NIH. The authors would also like to thank Frances Haeberli and Bimi Pangli for their assistance with selecting and reviewing the articles, and Dr. Alyson Froehlich and Annahir Cariello for preparing the chapter for publication.

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© Springer New York 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Waisman CenterUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonMadisonUSA
  2. 2.Waisman CenterUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonMadisonUSA

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