Journal article
Associations between autistic traits and fractional anisotropy values in white matter tracts in a nonclinical sample of young adults
Experimental brain research, Vol.235(1), pp.259-267
Jan 2017
PMID: 27699442
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Whereas a number of studies have examined relationships among brain activity, social cognitive skills, and autistic traits, fewer studies have evaluated whether structural connections among brain regions relate to these traits and skills. Uncinate fasciculus (UF) and inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) are white matter tracts that may underpin the behavioral expression of these skills because they connect regions within or provide sensory information to brain areas implicated in social cognition, and structural differences in these tracts have been associated with autistic traits. We examined relationships among self-reported autistic traits, mentalizing, and water diffusivity in UF and ILF in a nonclinical sample of 24 young adults (mean age = 21.92 years, SD = 4.72 years; 15 women). We measured autistic traits using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, and we measured mentalizing using the Dynamic Interactive Shapes Clips task. We used Tract-Based Spatial Statistics and randomize to examine relationships among fractional anisotropy (FA) values in bilateral ILF and UF, age, cognitive abilities, autistic traits, and mentalizing. Autistic traits were positively related to FA values in left ILF. No other relationships between FA values and other variables were significant. Results suggest that left ILF may be involved in the expression of autistic traits in individuals without clinical diagnoses.
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Details
- Title
- Associations between autistic traits and fractional anisotropy values in white matter tracts in a nonclinical sample of young adults
- Creators
- Lauren E Bradstreet - A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market Street, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. lb684@drexel.eduErin E Hecht - Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 5030, Atlanta, GA, 30302-5030, USATricia Z King - Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 5030, Atlanta, GA, 30302-5030, USAJessica L Turner - Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 5030, Atlanta, GA, 30302-5030, USADiana L Robins - A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market Street, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Publication Details
- Experimental brain research, Vol.235(1), pp.259-267
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Germany
- Grant note
- R01 GM097435 / NIGMS NIH HHS P01 HD060563 / NICHD NIH HHS U01 NS082074 / NINDS NIH HHS R56 MH097870 / NIMH NIH HHS R01 MH094524 / NIMH NIH HHS R01 HD039961 / NICHD NIH HHS R01 MH104423 / NIMH NIH HHS HD035621 / NICHD NIH HHS
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
- Identifiers
- 991014878441604721
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- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Neurosciences