Cognitive and Neural Correlates of Aging in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Abstract
Purpose: As the first diagnosed ASD individuals are now reaching old age, it is imperative that we understand the impact of aging on individuals with ASD. We developed a model predicting greater executive dysfunction and frontal lobe susceptibility in ASD beyond normal aging. Scope: This study, which is a collaborative study of the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center and the Barrow Neurological Institute, produces comprehensive cognitive, behavioral, and neuroimaging data on a set of well-characterized older ASD individuals who can be used as a reference for clinical diagnosis, therapeutics, and care plans. The scope of the second year was to continue with recruitment and data collection, and produce results from cross-sectional analyses of the initial assessment. Results and significance: We published our first in a series of studies from the initial cross-sectional data analysis in a high impact Autism journal (Autism Research). We found that the older ASD group performed significantly worse in executive functioning and showed decreased white matter connectivity in the frontal and temporal lobes. We also submitted resting state data regarding frontal connectivity group differences to the Society for Neuroscience meeting and Dr. Braden was selected to chair a nanosymposium on Autism: Physiology and Behavior. We have two additional data analyses on other brain-behavior relationships that are being prepared for publication, and we continue to collect data from new recruits and from returning participants.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1044369
Entities
People
- Brittany B. Braden
- Leslie C Baxter
Organizations
- St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center