Identifying Biomarkers for Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Complex Network Analysis

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University have conducted a study to identify potential biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using complex network analysis. The study aimed to identify functional closed-loop pathways in the brains of children with ASD and compared them to typically developing children. The researchers found that children with ASD had numerous aberrant functional pathways, particularly in the junction of the frontal and parietal lobes, as well as the occipital lobes. These findings provide insights into the neurobiological basis of social impairments and stereotyped behaviors in children with ASD, which may aid in the development of personalized interventions and therapeutic targets.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 58 ASD patients and 57 typically developing children ages 6-12 years.
  • Brain causal networks and temporal-lag networks were constructed using a deep learning model to infer the causal relationships between brain regions and the temporal-lag of signal transmissions.
  • The results revealed numerous aberrant functional pathways in children with ASD, particularly in the junction of the frontal and parietal lobes, as well as the occipital lobes.
  • Three closed-loop pathways were significantly negatively correlated with the total score of the combined social-communication domain in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2).
  • A positive interaction among these closed-loop pathways was observed with a weak intensity, indicating that social impairments and stereotyped behaviors were interrelated with a weak effect in children with ASD.
  • The study showed the potential of identifying multiple abnormal closed-loop pathways using complex network analysis in aiding early diagnosis and treatment of ASD.

Statistics:

  • 58 ASD patients were included in the study.
  • 57 typically developing children ages 6-12 years were included in the study.
  • 3 closed-loop pathways were significantly negatively correlated with the total score of the combined social-communication domain in the ADOS-2.
  • The correlation coefficients for the three closed-loop pathways were -0.448 (P=0.001), -0.362 (P=0.012), and -0.345 (P=0.016).
  • The study was published in the journal Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery.

Sources:

  • Closed-loop pathways associated with clinical symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder: a complex network analysis. Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery, 2025;15(10):9921-9936.
  • Ame Publishing Company, Flat-Rm C 16F, Kings Wing Plaza 1, No 3 Kwan St, Shatin, Hong Kong 00000, Peoples R China.
  • Researchers at Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Report New Data on Personalized Medicine (Closed-loop pathways associated with clinical symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder: a complex network analysis). Pediatrics Week. November 1, 2025; p 874.