White Matter Integrity and Asymmetry Alterations in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Automated Fiber Quantification Study

Motivation: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) display altered white matter (WM) microstructure, but the specific regions and patterns remain unclear. Goal(s): This study investigates WM abnormalities in young children with ASD and their relationships with behavioral symptoms using automated fiber quantification (AFQ). Approach: Diffusion tensor imaging data were collected from 36 children with ASD and 27 healthy controls to extract WM tract diffusion metrics. Results: Children with ASD exhibited WM microstructural abnormalities, atypical lateralization, and delayed development, which correlated with social and repetitive behavioral symptoms. Impact: This study identifies WM biomarkers linked to social and repetitive behaviors in ASD, guiding early diagnosis and intervention. These findings pave the way for research on targeted treatments addressing specific neurodevelopmental delays in ASD.