An Investigation of Age-related Neuropathophysiology in Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Fixel-based Analysis of Corpus Callosum White Matter Micro- and Macrostructure

Fixel-based analysis was used to probe age-related changes in white matter micro- and macrostructure of the corpus callosum between participants with (N = 54) and without (N = 50) autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Data were obtained from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange-II (ABIDE-II). Compared to age-matched controls, young adolescents with ASD (11.19 ± 7.54 years) showed reduced macroscopic fiber cross-section (logFC) and combined fiber-density and cross-section (FDC). Reduced fiber-density (FD) and FDC was noted in a marginally older (13.87 ± 3.15 years) ASD cohort. Among the oldest ASD cohort (17.07 ± 3.56 years), a non-significant trend indicative of reduced FD was noted. White matter aberration appears greatest and most widespread among younger ASD cohorts. This supports the suggestion that some early neuropathophysiological indicators in ASD may dissipate with age.