Subtly altered topological asymmetry of brain structural covariance networks in autism spectrum disorder across 43 datasets from the ENIGMA consortium

• DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01452-7
• Publication Date: 2022-02-08T14:04:04Z
• Authors: Zhiqiang Sha; Daan van Rooij; Evdokia Anagnostou; Celso Arango; Guillaume Auzias; Marlene Behrmann; Boris Bernhardt; Sven Bolte; Geraldo F. Busatto; Sara Calderoni; Rosa Calvo; Eileen Daly; Christine Deruelle; Meiyu Duan; Fabio Luis Souza ...; Sarah Durston; Christine Ecker; Stefan Ehrlich; Damien Fair; Jennifer Fedor; Jacqueline Fitzge...; Dorothea L. Floris; Barbara Franke; Christine M. Freitag; Louise Gallagher; David C. Glahn; Shlomi Haar; Liesbeth Hoekstra; Neda Jahanshad; Maria Jalbrzikowski; Joost Janssen; Joseph A. King; Luisa Lazaro; Beatriz Luna; Jane McGrath; Sarah E. Medland; Filippo Muratori; Declan G. M. Murphy; Janina Neufeld; Kirsten O’Hearn; Bob Oranje; Mara Parellada; Jose C. Pariente; Merel C. Postema; Karl Lundin Remne...; Alessandra Retico; Pedro Gomes Pente...; Katya Rubia; Devon Shook; Kristiina Tammimies; Margot J. Taylor; Michela Tosetti; Gregory L. Wallace; Fengfeng Zhou; Paul M. Thompson; Simon E. Fisher; Jan K. Buitelaar; Clyde Francks
• Keywords: Brain asymmetry; Orbitofrontal cortex; Broca's area; Neurodevelopmental disorder

Abstract Small average differences in the left-right asymmetry of cerebral cortical thickness have been reported individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to typically developing controls, affecting widespread regions. The possible impacts these regional alterations terms structural network effects not previously characterized. Inter-regional morphological covariance analysis can capture connectivity between different areas at macroscale level. Here, we used data from 1455 ASD and 1560 across 43 independent datasets ENIGMA consortium’s Working Group, assess hemispheric asymmetries intra-individual networks, using graph theory-based topological metrics. Compared typical features small-world architecture sample showed significantly altered networks involving fusiform, rostral middle frontal, medial orbitofrontal cortex, higher randomization corresponding right-hemispheric ASD. A superior frontal cortex decreased right-hemisphere randomization. Based on comparisons meta-analyzed functional neuroimaging data, particularly affected that subserve executive functions, language-related sensorimotor processes. These findings provide a network-level characterization brain ASD, based large combined sample. Altered asymmetrical development may be partly propagated among spatially distant regions through connectivity.