Cerebellar grey and white matter changes in children with Autism spectrum disorders

Summary Recent evidence suggests that the cerebellum may be a key site of neuropathology in individuals with Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and may therefore play a critical role in the symptoms that characterise these disorders. This study will examine cerebellar grey matter and white matter changes during maturation and with the emergence of ASD symptoms.

Project Details

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by deficits in social skills and communication, stereotyped and repetitive behaviour, and impairments in cognitive functioning. Recent evidence suggests that the cerebellum may be a key site of neuropathology in individuals with ASD, and may therefore play a critical role in the symptoms that characterise these disorders. However, further research is required better to understand both the direct effects of cerebellar pathology, and the role of cerebello-cortical circuitry, on the aetiology of ASD symptoms. The aims of this project are therefore

1. To investigate volumetric changes in the cerebellum in high-risk children who develop ASD (HR-ASD), compared to high-risk children who do not (HR-Neg), and low-risk (LR) children

(2) 2. To determine whether baseline cerebellar volumes, or change in cerebellar volume from 6 to 12 or 24 months of age is relation to motor abilities in HR-ASD, HR-Neg, and LR children

3. To investigate the development of white matter and functional connectivity from the cerebellum to key cortical and subcortical targets in HR-ASD, HR-Neg, and LR children, and determine whether this development is related to motor abilities

Data for this study will be derived from the IBIS study, a longitudinal data set comprising over 2,500 baseline and longitudinal scans in over 400 children at high or low genetic risk of ASD, and include both structural and functional MRI scans

The student will have the opportunity to learn advanced brain imaging analysis techniques, and publication of results is expected at the end of the project. The study would be most suitable for a student who is interested in or has a good understanding of neuroscience, biology and medicine as well as some experience in computer programming.