Three-Dimensional Representation of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Neuroanatomy

This video illustrates results from the semisupervised Heterogeneity through Discriminative Analysis (HYDRA) clustering model on ASD. The model attempted to achieve maximum separation between a group of individuals with ASD and a typically developing group based on their brain structures, while searching for 3 distinct dimensions to capture the neuroanatomical variabilities of the ASD group. This yielded a 3-dimensional space, as shown in the video, and individuals with ASD who showed increased patterns in any of the 3 dimensions are highlighted. Individuals with ASD with all dimension scores less than zero (black dots) indicate those with neuroanatomy similar to a typically developing individual. The 3 neuroanatomical dimensions of ASD—A1 (aginglike), A2 (schizophrenialike), A3 (typical ASD)—not only demonstrated distinct brain signatures but also distinct clinical and genetic characteristics, which can be used to aid personalized diagnostics and care of the affected individuals. Click the Related Article link for full details.