Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39797542›Full record

ArticlePsychiatry and clinical neurosciences2025

Identifying Distinct Developmental Patterns of Brain Complexity in Autism: A Cross-Sectional Cohort Analysis Using the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange.

I-Jou Chi, Shih-Jen Tsai, Chun-Houh Chen, Albert C Yang

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Article in Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

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3citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Visual function and autism spectrum disorder.Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) · 2026
    Review
  3. Article
4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

I-Jou ChiInstitute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Shih-Jen TsaiInstitute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chun-Houh ChenInstitute of Statistical Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
Albert C YangInstitute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5589-4513

Funding

Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, and the Ministry of EducationNational Science and Technology Council 110-2926-I-A49-001-MY4National Science and Technology Council 111-2634-F-A49-014National Science and Technology Council 111-2823-8-A49-003National Science and Technology Council 112-2321-B-A49-013National Science and Technology Council 112-2321-B-A49-021National Science and Technology Council 112-2634-F-A49-003National Science and Technology Council 112-2823-8-A49-001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimAutistic traits exhibit neurodiversity with varying behaviors across developmental stages. Brain complexity theory, illustrating the dynamics of neural activity, may elucidate the evolution of autistic traits over time. Our study explored the patterns of brain complexity in autistic individuals from childhood to adulthood.

methodsWe analyzed functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 1087 autistic participants and neurotypical controls aged 6 to 30 years within the ABIDE I (Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange) data set. Sample entropy was calculated to measure brain complexity among 90 brain regions, utilizing an automated anatomical labeling template for voxel parcellation. Participants were grouped using sliding age windows with partial overlaps. We assessed the average brain complexity of the entire brain and brain regions for both groups across age categories. Cluster analysis was conducted using generalized association plots to identify brain regions with similar developmental complexity trajectories. Finally, the relationship between brain region complexity and autistic traits was examined.

resultsAutistic individuals may tend toward higher whole-brain complexity during adolescence and lower complexity during childhood and adulthood, indicating possible distinct developmental trajectories. However, these results do not remain after Bonferroni correction. Two clusters of brain regions were identified, each with unique patterns of complexity changes over time. Correlations between brain region complexity, age, and autistic traits were also identified.

conclusionThe study revealed brain complexity trajectories in autistic individuals, providing insight into the neurodiversity of autism and suggesting that age-related changes in brain complexity could be a potential neurodevelopmental marker for the dynamic nature of autism.

Indexed as

Autism Spectrum DisorderAutistic DisorderBrainAdolescentAdultChildCohort StudiesCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleYoung Adultautism spectrum disorderbrain complexitydevelopmental trajectoriesfunctional magnetic resonance imagingsample entropy

Identifiers

PMID39797542
PMCPMC11874071

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