Journal Article Epublish 6 citations
PubMed: 38694903 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1356241
Diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder children using T1-based gray matter and arterial spin labeling-based cerebral blood flow network metrics.
Front Neurosci 18:1356241
Authors: Mingyang Liu, Weibo Yu, Dandan Xu, Miaoyan Wang, Bo Peng, Haoxiang Jiang, Yakang Dai
Affiliations
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun, China.
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Children's Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
- Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Suzhou, China.
Abstract
Introduction
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in motor skills, communication, emotional expression, and social interaction. Accurate diagnosis of ASD remains challenging due to the reliance on subjective behavioral observations and assessment scales, lacking objective diagnostic indicators.
Methods
In this study, we introduced a novel approach for diagnosing ASD, leveraging T1-based gray matter and ASL-based cerebral blood flow network metrics. Thirty preschool-aged patients with ASD and twenty-two typically developing (TD) individuals were enrolled. Brain network features, including gray matter and cerebral blood flow metrics, were extracted from both T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ASL images. Feature selection was performed using statistical -tests and Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance (mRMR). A machine learning model based on random vector functional link network was constructed for diagnosis.
Results
The proposed approach demonstrated a classification accuracy of 84.91% in distinguishing ASD from TD. Key discriminating network features were identified in the inferior frontal gyrus and superior occipital gyrus, regions critical for social and executive functions in ASD patients.
Discussion
Our study presents an objective and effective approach to the clinical diagnosis of ASD, overcoming the limitations of subjective behavioral observations. The identified brain network features provide insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying ASD, potentially leading to more targeted interventions.
MeSH
Gray Matter, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Blood, Autistic Disorder, Machine Learning, Diagnosis, Behavior Observation Techniques, Blood Circulation, Child