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World Journal of Pediatrics

25-03-2024 | Autism Spectrum Disorder | Original Article

Biomarkers of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder: quantitative analysis of whole-brain tissue component volumes, intelligence scores, ADOS-CSS, and ages of first-word production and walking onset

Authors: Xiang Zhou, Wu-Sheng Lin, Feng-Yun Zou, Shuang-Shuang Zhong, Ya-Yin Deng, Xiao-Wen Luo, Li-Shan Shen, Shi-Huan Wang, Ruo-Mi Guo

Published in: World Journal of Pediatrics

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Abstract

Background

Preschooling is a critical time for intervention in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); thus, we analyzed brain tissue component volumes (BTCVs) and clinical indicators in preschool children with ASD to identify new biomarkers for early screening.

Methods

Eighty preschool children (3–6 years) with ASD were retrospectively included. The whole-brain myelin content (MyC), white matter (WM), gray matter (GM), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and non-WM/GM/MyC/CSF brain component volumes were obtained using synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (SyMRI). Clinical data, such as intelligence scores, autism diagnostic observation schedule-calibrated severity scores, age at first production of single words (AFSW), age at first production of phrases (AFP), and age at walking onset (AWO), were also collected. The correlation between the BTCV and clinical data was evaluated, and the effect of BTCVs on clinical data was assessed by a regression model.

Results

WM and GM volumes were positively correlated with intelligence scores (both P < 0.001), but WM and GM did not affect intelligence scores (P = 0.116, P = 0.290). AWO was positively correlated with AFSW and AFP (both P < 0.001). The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that MyC, AFSW, AFP, and AWO were significantly different (P = 0.005, P < 0.001, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study revealed positive correlations between WM and GM volumes and intelligence scores. Whole-brain MyC affected AFSW, AFP, and AWO in preschool children with ASD. Noninvasive quantification of BTCVs via SyMRI revealed a new visualizable and quantifiable biomarker (abnormal MyC) for early ASD screening in preschool children.

Graphical Abstract

Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Biomarkers of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder: quantitative analysis of whole-brain tissue component volumes, intelligence scores, ADOS-CSS, and ages of first-word production and walking onset
Authors
Xiang Zhou
Wu-Sheng Lin
Feng-Yun Zou
Shuang-Shuang Zhong
Ya-Yin Deng
Xiao-Wen Luo
Li-Shan Shen
Shi-Huan Wang
Ruo-Mi Guo
Publication date
25-03-2024
Publisher
Springer Nature Singapore
Published in
World Journal of Pediatrics
Print ISSN: 1708-8569
Electronic ISSN: 1867-0687
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-024-00800-7