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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research

Deficit of corpus callosum axons, reduced axon diameter and decreased area are markers of abnormal development of interhemispheric connections in autistic subjects

Authors: Jarek Wegiel, Wojciech Kaczmarski, Michael Flory, Veronica Martinez-Cerdeno, Thomas Wisniewski, Krzysztof Nowicki, Izabela Kuchna, Jerzy Wegiel

Published in: Acta Neuropathologica Communications | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Introduction

In autism spectrum disorder, lack of coherence and of complex information processing, and narrowly focused interests and repetitive behaviors are considered a sign of long-range underconnectivity and short-range overconnectivity. The goal of this morphometric study of five anatomically and functionally different segments of the corpus callosum (CC) was to establish patterns of differences between long-range interhemispheric connections in nine neurotypical and nine autistic subjects.

Results

Electron microscopy revealed a significant reduction in average axon diameter and axon cross-sectional area in autistic subjects, and reduction in CC segment–specific diversification of connections of functionally different cortical regions. The study shows an increase in the percentage of small diameter axons (< 0.651 μm) and a decrease in the percentage of axons with large diameter (> 1.051 μm). The total number of small-diameter axons is reduced in segment I and III by 43% on average. The number of medium- and large-diameter axons is reduced in all five CC segments by an average of 49 and 72%, respectively.

Conclusions

The detected pattern of pathology suggests a failure of mechanisms controlling guidance of axons during development leading to axonal deficit, and failure of mechanisms controlling axon structure. A reduction in axon diameter may affect the velocity and volume of signal transmission, and distort functional specialization of CC segments. Significant deficits in axon number and reduction in axon size in all five CC segments appear to be substantial components of brain connectome integrity distortion which may contribute to the autism phenotype.

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Title: Deficit of corpus callosum axons, reduced axon diameter and decreased area are markers of abnormal development of interhemispheric connections in autistic subjects
Authors: Jarek Wegiel
Wojciech Kaczmarski
Michael Flory
Veronica Martinez-Cerdeno
Thomas Wisniewski
Krzysztof Nowicki
Izabela Kuchna
Jerzy Wegiel
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Acta Neuropathologica Communications / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 2051-5960
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40478-018-0645-7

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Springer Medicine

Deficit of corpus callosum axons, reduced axon diameter and decreased area are markers of abnormal development of interhemispheric connections in autistic subjects

Abstract

Introduction

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Results

Conclusions

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