@article{2fa0624355a24ebd92c85119b9dacd1f,
title = "Longitudinal development of thalamic and internal capsule microstructure in autism spectrum disorder",
abstract = "The thalamus is a key sensorimotor relay area that is implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, it is unknown how the thalamus and white-matter structures that contain thalamo-cortical fiber connections (e.g., the internal capsule) develop from childhood into adulthood and whether this microstructure relates to basic motor challenges in ASD. We used diffusion weighted imaging in a cohort-sequential design to assess longitudinal development of the thalamus, and posterior- and anterior-limbs of the internal capsule (PLIC and ALIC, respectively) in 89 males with ASD and 56 males with typical development (3–41 years; all verbal). Our results showed that the group with ASD exhibited different developmental trajectories of microstructure in all regions, demonstrating childhood group differences that appeared to approach and, in some cases, surpass the typically developing group in adolescence and adulthood. The PLIC (but not ALIC nor thalamus) mediated the relation between age and finger-tapping speed in both groups. Yet, the gap in finger-tapping speed appeared to widen at the same time that the between-group gap in the PLIC appeared to narrow. Overall, these results suggest that childhood group differences in microstructure of the thalamus and PLIC become less robust in adolescence and adulthood. Further, finger-tapping speed appears to be mediated by the PLIC in both groups, but group differences in motor speed that widen during adolescence and adulthood suggest that factors beyond the microstructure of the thalamus and internal capsule may contribute to atypical motor profiles in ASD. Autism Res 2018, 11: 450–462.",
keywords = "autism spectrum disorder, diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, internal capsule, thalamus, white matter",
author = "Kristine McLaughlin and Travers, {Brittany G.} and Dadalko, {Olga I.} and Dean, {Douglas C.} and Do Tromp and Nagesh Adluru and Daniel Destiche and Abigail Freeman and Prigge, {Molly D.} and Alyson Froehlich and Duffield, {Tyler C.} and Zielinski, {Brandon A.} and Bigler, {Erin D.} and Nicholas Lange and Anderson, {Jeff S.} and Alexander, {Andrew L.} and Lainhart, {Janet E.}",
note = "Funding Information: We sincerely thank the children, adolescents, and adults with autism and with typical development, and all the families who participated in this study. We thank Danica Samsin for her contributions to this work. This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (RO1 MH080826 to J.E.L., A.L.A., N.L., E.D.B.; RO1 MH084795 to J.E.L., N.L.; RO1 MH097464 to J.E.L., N.L., A.L.A.; K08 MH100609 to B.A.Z.; KO8 MH092697 to J.S.A.; and K99 MH110596 to D.C.D.), the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (T32 HD007489 to D.C.D., B.G.T., and P30 HD003352 and U54 HD090256 to the Waisman Center), the Poelman Foundation (to E.D.B.), the Primary Children{\textquoteright}s Foundation (Early Career Development Award to B.A.Z.), the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (NARSAD Young Investigator Award to B.G.T.), and the Hartwell Foundation (to B.G.T.). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Child Health and Development, or the National Institutes of Health. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Funding Information: We sincerely thank the children, adolescents, and adults with autism and with typical development, and all the families who participated in this study. We thank Danica Samsin for her contributions to this work. This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (RO1 MH080826 to J.E.L., A.L.A., N.L., E.D.B.; RO1 MH084795 to J.E.L., N.L.; RO1 MH097464 to J.E.L., N.L., A.L.A.; K08 MH100609 to B.A.Z.; KO8 MH092697 to J.S.A.; and K99 MH110596 to D.C.D.), the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (T32 HD007489 to D.C.D., B.G.T., and P30 HD003352 and U54 HD090256 to the Waisman Center), the Poelman Foundation (to E.D.B.), the Primary Children's Foundation (Early Career Development Award to B.A.Z.), the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (NARSAD Young Investigator Award to B.G.T.), and the Hartwell Foundation (to B.G.T.). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Child Health and Development, or the National Institutes of Health.",
year = "2018",
month = mar,
doi = "10.1002/aur.1909",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "11",
pages = "450--462",
journal = "Autism Research",
issn = "1939-3806",
publisher = "John Wiley and Sons Inc.",
number = "3",
}