阿斯伯格综合征与高功能孤独症在脑网络上的差异:静息态fMRI的图论研究

The differences between Asperger's syndrome and high functioning autism in brain network:A resting-state fMRI graph theory study

目的关于阿斯伯格综合征(Asperger's syndrome,AS)和高功能孤独症(high functioning autism,HFA)之间的差异的争论已经持续了数十年,本研究拟采用静息态功能磁共振成像图论的方法来探索这两种疾病在脑功能上的差异。材料与方法使用美国孤独症脑成像交换数据库Ⅰ(Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange,ABIDEI)的影像数据,其中包括AS患者(n=55)和HFA患者(n=53)的静息态功能磁共振成像数据。对两组影像数据进行处理,并计算出两组的脑网络图论参数。使用两样本t检验比较两组间的脑网络图论参数,并进行事后检验(Bonferroni校正)。使用偏相关分析分别探索两组中有显著差异的图论指标与临床数据的相关性。结果AS组和HFA组在右颞上回的节点效率(P=0.016)、右额中回的节点聚类系数(P=0.044)等多个脑区的多个图论指标分别存在显著差异。这些脑区涉及社会、共情、语言和认知功能。此外,AS组患者在双侧脑岛的节点局部效率(nodal local efficiency,NLE)与孤独症诊断观察量表评分呈负相关(左脑岛:r=-0.366,P=0.033;右脑岛:r=-0.412,P=0.016)。结论本研究结果可能为不同类型孤独症谱系障碍的脑功能机制提供新的思路和见解,从而有助于揭示孤独症不同亚型诊断和治疗的特异性。

Objective:The debate about the differences between Asperger's syndrome(AS)and high functioning autism(HFA)has been ongoing for decades.Many previous studies have explored the differences between them from the perspective of cognitive psychology,but few studies have explored them from the perspective of functional brain imaging.In this study,we intend to use graph theory to explore the differences in brain function between these two diseases.Materials and Methods:Imaging data from the American Autism Brain Imaging Exchange DatabaseⅠ(ABIDEI)were used,including resting fMRI data from patients with AS(n=55)and HFA(n=53).The two groups of image data were preprocessed,and the brain network graph theory parameters of the two groups were calculated.The two sample t test was used to compare the brain network graph theory parameters between the two groups,and a post hoc test(Bonferroni's correction)was performed.Partial correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between graph theory indicators with significant differences and clinical data in the two groups.Results:There were significant differences in the graph theory indexes of right superior temporal gyrus(P=0.016)and right middle frontal gyrus(P=0.044)between AS group and HFA group.These brain regions are involved in social,empathy,language and cognitive functions.In addition,nodal local efficiency(NLE)was negatively correlated with Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule(ADOS)score in AS group(left insula:r=-0.366,P=0.033;right insula:r=-0.412,P=0.016).Conclusions:The results of this study may provide new ideas and insights into the brain function mechanism of different types of autism and help to reveal the specificity of diagnosis and treatment of different subtypes of autism.