Abstract: Objective To analyze the functional connectivity characteristics between primary auditory brain regions and whole brain in resting state in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD),and to explore the correlation with sensory behaviors. Methods The fMRI data of 34 ASD boys and 29 healthy boys were collected.And BA41/42,which was related to primary auditory,was used as the seed region to generate intrinsic functional connectivity maps based on resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fcMRI) to identify brain regions with altered connectivity.Short Sensory Profile (SSP) was used to assess the sensory behaviors of ASD children.Correlation between the altered functional connectivity and sensory behaviors in ASD children was examined by Pearson analysis. Results ASD group had decreased functional connectivity between BA41/42 and left posterior cingulate gyri,and it was negatively correlated with tactile sensitivity,taste/olfactory sensitivity and total scale scores in the SSP scale (r=-0.496,-0.420,-0.415,P<0.05).ASD group had increased functional connectivity between BA41/42 and left median cingulate and paracingulate gyri,and there was a negative correlation with tactile sensitivity,low response/seeking stimulus,auditory filtering,and total score of the SSP scale(r=-0.650,-0.499,-0.447,-0.541,P＜0.05),and a positive correlation with SSP level,including tactile sensitivity,taste/olfactory sensitivity,motor sensitivity,low response/seeking stimulation,low strength/weakness,and total scale score (r=0.423,0.527,0.467,0.471,0.470,0.642,P＜0.05).And ASD group had increased functional connectivity between BA41/42 and left supplementary motor area. Conclusion ASD children have abnormal functional connectivity characteristics between primary auditory brain regions and whole brain in resting state,providing an objective evidence of brain functional connectivity for abnormal sensory behaviors.

Key words: autism spectrum disorder, primary auditory brain regions, resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging, brain connectivity, sensory behavior

摘要： 目的 研究孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)儿童静息态下初级听觉脑区与全脑的功能连接特征,并与其感觉行为进行关联性分析。方法 收集34例ASD男童和29例健康对照男童的功能磁共振(fMRI)数据,基于静息态功能连接(rs-fcMRI)分析方法,将初级听觉脑区BA41/42作为种子区域,计算该区域与全脑的功能连接水平,并比较两组差异。采用简易感觉(SSP)量表评估ASD儿童的感觉行为,应用Pearson相关分析探索ASD儿童大脑rs-fcMRI功能连接强度与感觉行为之间的关联。结果 与对照组相比,ASD儿童BA41/42与左侧后扣带回正连接减弱,与SSP量表中触觉敏感、味觉/嗅觉敏感以及量表总分呈显著负相关(r=-0.496、-0.420、-0.415,P＜0.05);BA41/42与左内侧和旁扣带回正连接增强,与SSP量表中触觉敏感、低反应/寻求刺激、听觉过滤以及量表总分呈显著负相关(r=-0.650、-0.499、-0.447、-0.541,P＜0.05),与SSP量表等级中触觉敏感、味觉/嗅觉敏感、运动敏感、低反应/寻求刺激、力量低下/虚弱以及总量表得分均呈显著正相关(r=0.423、0.527、0.467、0.471、0.470、0.642,P＜0.05);BA41/42与左侧补充运动区正连接增强。结论 静息态下ASD儿童初级听觉脑区与全脑的功能连通性异于健康儿童,并与其异常的感觉行为明显相关。

关键词: 孤独症谱系障碍, 初级听觉脑区, 静息态功能磁共振, 脑连通性, 感觉行为