Detecting abnormalities of corpus callosum connectivity in autism using magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor tractography

The corpus callosum (CC) has emerged as one of the primary targets of autism research. To detect aberrant CC interhemispheric connectivity in autism, we performed T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-based tractography in 18 children with high functioning autism (HFA) and 16 well-matched typically developing (TD) children. We compared global and regional T1 measures (CC volume, and CC density), and the DTI measures [fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), average fiber length (AFL), and fiber number (FN)] of transcallosal fibers, between the two groups. We also evaluated the relationships between scores on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and CC T1 or DTI measurements. Significantly less white matter density in the anterior third of the CC, and higher ADC and lower FN values of the anterior third transcallosal fiber tracts were found in HFA patients compared to TD children. These results suggested that the anterior third CC density and transcallosal fiber connectivity were affected in HFA children.