ASSOCIATED CURRENT STUDIES
Diffusion Tensor Tracking of Connectivity Abnormalities in Autism
Nancy J. Minshew, MD; Thomas Conturo, PhD/MD;
Diane L. Williams, PhD; Susan Levy, MD
Nancy Lurie Marks Foundation
The neural basis of the cognitive and behavioral abnormalities is only
beginning to be understood. Recent functional imaging studies (fMRI) in
autism have revealed a reduction in functional connectivity across
cortical brain regions involved in language, problem solving and social
cognition; simple tasks showed normal connectivity. Structural brain
studies have shown an increase in brain volume attributable largely to
an increase in the outer white matter zone. This white matter connects
immediately adjacent areas of cortex and makes longer distant
connections between cortical regions within the same hemisphere. The
corpus callosum, the major white matter pathway connecting the two
hemispheres, is smaller in autism. Hence, connectivity has emerged as a
key issue in the neurobiology of autism.
This research study will investigate white matter connections using a
new method called diffusion tensor fiber tracking to map white matter
pathways related to each of the major symptom areas of autism. The size,
shape, and density of these pathways in high functioning autistic teens
and adults will be compared to matched controls and behavioral indices.
This research study will advance the understanding of connectivity in
autism, pave the way for comparisons with functional connectivity, guide
developmental neurobiologic studies, and provide an index for future
cognitive rehabilitation strategies designed to enhance connectivity.
Neurocognitive
Basis of Language Processing in Autism
Dr.
Diane Williams, PhD, Duquesne University
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Award (K23)
This research study will explore the neurobiologic basis of language
processing in autism. The objectives are to clarify the neurobiologic
and neurodevelopmental mechanisms underlying language processing
problems in developmental disabilities, particularly autism; to
characterize the functional and anatomical brain systems underlying
processing of complex linguistic concepts in high-functioning
individuals with autism; and to illustrate the functional and anatomical
brain systems underlying processing in this population.
The first research studies will examine the comprehension of ironic and
metaphoric language and theory of mind in 30 older adolescents and
adults with high-functioning autism. The data from the behavioral
studies will be integrated with data from fMRI studies conducted under
the direction of Dr. Just. The hope is that clearer understanding of
the underlying neural mechanisms will guide the development of more
efficient and effective therapeutic intervention, affecting positive
change in the linguistic processing and adaptive functioning of
individuals with autism.
The Development of
Visual Processing in Autism
Dr.
Kirsten O’Hearn, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Mentored
Research Scientist Development Award (K01)
Object recognition is
an essential function of the human visual system. People with autism
may display atypical object recognition, especially with certain objects
(e.g., animates, faces). The studies define the developmental
trajectory of object recognition, and explore how development is
atypical in autism. Recent evidence indicates that the structure and
the function of occipitotemproal areas continues to mature through
adolescence, suggesting that object recognition skills supported by
these brain regions show prolonged maturation. However, it is not yet
clear what aspects of object recognition are maturing during this
time.
The present
application proposes to:
1.
Identify components of object recognition that develop late
2.
Characterize changes in brain function related to this behavioral
development
3.
Describe atypical object recognition skills in autism
Initial behavioral
studies will test possible correlates of this late maturation on brain
function, including improved recognition of individuals and a shift from
relying on features to configural or holistic information. A
neuroimaging study will then examine the hypothesis that increased skill
using configural information underlies late age-related changes in
functional activation. In addition to characterizing typical
development, we will examine the deficits in object recognition in
people with autism.
Piloting Cognitive Enhancement Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum
Disorders
Dr. Shaun
Eack, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania Department of Health
In this
research we propose to pilot Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET), a
psychosocial educational and cognitive rehabilitation approach, for
improving cognition in 20 adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
All 20 adults will receive CET, and cognitive and behavioral measures
will be employed to provide preliminary measures of the efficacy of this
educational and cognitive training program.
Cognitive Enhancement
Therapy for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Dr. Shaun
Eack, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
National Institutes of Health
In this research we propose to examine the relative efficacy of
Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET), a psychosocial cognitive
rehabilitation approach, for improving cognition and brain function in
67 patients with autism-spectrum disorders (ASD). An initial pilot will
be conducted with 12 patients to adapt the approach to individuals with
ASD, and then a clinical trial with 55 patients will be conducted by
randomizing individuals to receive CET or treatment as usual. Cognitive,
behavioral, and neurobiological measures will be employed to measure
relative efficacy of CET compared to treatment as usual on these
domains.Facial
Recognition Intervention Study with Adolescents
Dr. Suzy Scherf, PhD, Carnegie
Mellon University
Children with autism often have
difficulty remembering people by their face as well as feel
uncomfortable and anxious when looking at people's faces. The goal
of this project is to help adolescents with autism, between the ages of
10 and 15, improve their ability to remember and recognize faces without
making them uncomfortable or anxious. |
Investigators
Associated Current Studies
Diffusion Tensor Tracking
Language Processing
Visual Processing
Cognitive Enhancement Therapy
Facial Recognition Intervention