Project Details

Characterizing the trajectory of functional brain network subtypes for language outcomes in ASD

Haerin Chung, PhD

Summary

BACKGROUND: ASD is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with at least half of children diagnosed by 3-years of age presenting a language delay. However, despite its importance, the underlying neurobiology of language development in ASD remains poorly understood. Thus, identifying sensitive clinically relevant biomarkers of ASD subgroups, particularly of those more likely to exhibit expressive language delays, preceding language outcomes, can inform early diagnosis and intervention. GAP: While alterations in brain network organization have been observed in ASD, most studies have been cross-sectional and focused on older children or adults, missing the dynamic age-related changes in neural networks during early development. Specific analyses of how early brain network development relates to expressive language delays in ASD are lacking. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesize that ASD trajectories will demonstrate reduced network metrics across the brain over time, particularly within the ASD subgroup exhibiting language delays. Differential trajectories of language-related network measures will be associated with language outcomes within ASD. METHODS: We will assess whether measures of network specialization (e.g., modularity) and efficiency (e.g., path-length) predict later ASD diagnosis and expressive language outcomes. Participants include 243 infants enrolled from 3 to 36 months in prospective longitudinal studies. Graph theory metrics will be computed from high-density resting-state EEG, relating these metrics to ASD outcomes and expressive language. RESULTS: Pending. IMPACT: This project will strengthen our understanding of the neurobiology underlying language delays in ASD, yielding insights on translational biomarkers and targeted interventions.