Psychotropic medication use in autism spectrum disorders may affect functional brain connectivity

Biological Psychiatry : Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging
Annika C LinkeRalph-Axel Müller

Abstract

Prescription of psychotropic medications is common in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), either off-label or to treat comorbid conditions such as ADHD or depression. Psychotropic medications are intended to alter brain function. Yet, studies investigating the functional brain organization in ASDs rarely take medication usage into account. This could explain some of the inconsistent findings of atypical brain network connectivity reported in the autism literature. The current study tested whether functional connectivity patterns, as assessed with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), differed in a cohort of 49 children and adolescents with ASDs based on psychotropic medication status, and in comparison with 50 matched typically developing (TD) participants. Twenty-five participants in the ASD group (51%) reported current psychotropic medication usage, including stimulants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anxiolytics. Age, IQ, head motion, and ASD symptom severity did not differ between groups. Whole-brain functional connectivity between 132 regions of interest was assessed. Different functional connectivity patterns were identified in the ASD group taking psychotropic medications (ASD-on), as compared to the TD group...Continue Reading

Citations

Dec 18, 2018·Autism Research : Official Journal of the International Society for Autism Research·Ralph-Axel Müller, Maya A Reiter
Oct 31, 2018·Autism Research : Official Journal of the International Society for Autism Research·Katherine E LawrenceMirella Dapretto
Mar 1, 2019·Science Translational Medicine·Štefan HoligaJuergen Dukart
Jul 7, 2019·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Khushmol K DhaliwalLonnie Zwaigenbaum
Oct 30, 2020·Brain Sciences·Jacob I FeldmanTiffany G Woynaroski
Jun 30, 2021·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Jinglun LiJianghai Ruan
Sep 7, 2021·Autism Research : Official Journal of the International Society for Autism Research·Karim IbrahimA Ting Wang

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Basal Ganglia

Basal Ganglia are a group of subcortical nuclei in the brain associated with control of voluntary motor movements, procedural and habit learning, emotion, and cognition. Here is the latest research.

Attention Disorders

Attention is involved in all cognitive activities, and attention disorders are reported in patients with various neurological diseases. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to attention disorders.

Antipsychotic Drugs

Antipsychotic drugs are a class of medication primarily used to manage psychosis (including delusions, hallucinations, paranoia or disordered thought), principally in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Discover the latest research on antipsychotic drugs here

Autism

Autism spectrum disorder is associated with challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues. Here is the latest research on autism.