Dataset Information

Enhancement of indirect functional connections with shortest path length in the adult autistic brain.

ABSTRACT: Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by atypical brain functional organization. Here we investigated the intrinsic indirect (semi-metric) connectivity of the functional connectome associated with autism. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired from 65 neurotypical adults (33 males/32 females) and 61 autistic adults (30 males/31 females). From functional connectivity networks, semi-metric percentages (SMPs) were calculated to assess the proportion of indirect shortest functional pathways at global, hemisphere, network, and node levels. Group comparisons were then conducted to ascertain differences between autism and neurotypical control groups. Finally, the strength and length of edges were examined to explore the patterns of semi-metric connections associated with autism. Compared with neurotypical controls, autistic adults displayed significantly higher SMP at all spatial scales, similar to prior observations in adolescents. Differences were primarily in weaker, longer-distance edges in the majority between networks. However, no significant diagnosis-by-sex interaction effects were observed on global SMP. These findings suggest increased indirect functional connectivity in the autistic brain is persistent from adolescence to adulthood and is indicative of reduced functional network integration.

SUBMITTER: Guo X

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6864892 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Enhancement of indirect functional connections with shortest path length in the adult autistic brain.

Guo Xiaonan X Simas Tiago T Lai Meng-Chuan MC Lombardo Michael V MV Chakrabarti Bhismadev B Ruigrok Amber N V ANV Bullmore Edward T ET Baron-Cohen Simon S Chen Huafu H Suckling John J

Human brain mapping 20190829 18

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by atypical brain functional organization. Here we investigated the intrinsic indirect (semi-metric) connectivity of the functional connectome associated with autism. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired from 65 neurotypical adults (33 males/32 females) and 61 autistic adults (30 males/31 females). From functional connectivity networks, semi-metric percentages (SMPs) were calculated to assess the proportion ...[more]

PMID: 31464062

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Project description:AIMS: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) requires a high degree of eye-hand coordination from the surgeon. To facilitate the learning process, objective assessment systems based on analysis of the instruments' motion are being developed. To investigate the influence of performance on motion characteristics, we examined goal-oriented movements in a box trainer. In general, goal-oriented movements consist of a retracting and a seeking phase, and are, however, not performed via the shortest path length. Therefore, we hypothesized that the shortest path is not an optimal concept in MIS. METHODS: Participants were divided into three groups (experts, residents, and novices). Each participant performed a number of one-hand positioning tasks in a box trainer. Movements of the instrument were recorded with the TrEndo tracking system. The movement from point A to B was divided into two phases: A-M (retracting) and M-B (seeking). Normalized path lengths (given in %) of the two phases were compared. RESULTS: Thirty eight participants contributed. For the retracting phase, we found no significant difference between experts [median (range) %: 152 (129-178)], residents [164 (126-250)], and novices [168 (136-268)]. In the seeking phase, we find a significant difference (<0.001) between experts [180 (172-247)], residents [201 (163-287)], and novices [290 (244-469)]. Moreover, within each group, a significant difference between retracting and seeking phases was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Goal-oriented movements in MIS can be split into two phases: retracting and seeking. Novices are less effective than experts and residents in the seeking phase. Therefore, the seeking phase is characteristic of performance differences. Furthermore, the retracting phase is essential, because it improves safety by avoiding intermediate tissue contact. Therefore, the shortest path length, as presently used during the assessment of basic MIS skills, may be not a proper concept for analyzing optimal movements and, therefore, needs to be revised.

Dataset Information

Enhancement of indirect functional connections with shortest path length in the adult autistic brain.

Publications

Enhancement of indirect functional connections with shortest path length in the adult autistic brain.

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