Two teams
of researchers from Bucknell
University and its Geisinger Autism and Developmental Medicine
Institute (ADMI) are conducting different studies to explore the same thing: how to diagnose autism earlier. Ultimately, the researchers
hope their work will lead to earlier clinical and therapeutic interventions for
children with neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.
Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized
by deficits in social and communication skills, and by abnormal coherence to
repetitive behaviors. Experts claim that ASD, which typically manifests before
age three, is the fastest-growing childhood development disorder (13% to 15%
annual growth).
Scientists
aren’t certain about what causes ASD, but it’s likely that both genetics and
environment play a role. Because of the unknown and complex nature of this
disorder, effective diagnosis and treatment of ASD has proven challenging.
In one of
the studies, Aaron Mitchel, assistant professor of psychology at Bucknell, and his
research partners will investigate how two genetic causes of autism spectrum
disorder impact children's abilities to integrate visual, auditory and other
stimuli. They will examine multisensory integration, or the ability to connect
stimuli perceived with different senses.
"Previous
research on multisensory integration has studied dyslexia, ADHD, autism. It was
focused on behavioral diagnoses," Mitchel said. "We're going to the
heart of matter, to the genetic diagnoses to see if there is commonality."
Rich
Kozick, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Bucknell, and
Andrew Michael, director of
ADMI’s neuroimaging analytics laboratory, are studying methods for capturing the work of brain
networks using functional MRI technology. The researchers hope their work will
lead to a more accurate tool for diagnosing ASD.
Their
project draws upon the deep database of brain-imaging data available through
the ADMI, Michael's knowledge of brain imaging and Kozick's expertise in signal
processing, which he has previously applied to military and robotics projects.
For our BCC Research report on autism spectrum disorder, visit the
following link:
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