Heterogeneity is a key characteristic of many neurodevelopmental disorders. These include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), for which heterogeneous profiles of symptoms, social abilities and cognitive abilities are reported in the literature. ASD is estimated to affect 1 in 160 children worldwide, and severely impacts the wellbeing of affected individuals' and their families. ASD is characterised by brain dysfunctions in many brain regions, however, the underlying neural mechanisms of the heterogeneous profiles in ASD remain poorly understood.
The goal of this Research Topic is to examine recent evidence from neuroimaging studies that focus on brain dysfunctions in ASD. Specifically, how abnormal functions or structures in different brain regions may associate with individual differences or heterogeneous patterns of symptoms or behaviours in ASD.
We encourage researchers to contribute findings relating to the neural bases of heterogeneous patterns in ASD. Here heterogeneity is broadly defined, and includes differences between individuals, between groups of certain characteristics (e.g. gender, age and cognitive abilities) and between subgroups with distinct profiles (e.g. subgroups with different patterns in social abilities and subgroups with or without comorbid conditions such as ADHD). We are particularly interested in studies that examine the structural and functional abnormalities in the human brain that underlie heterogeneous patterns in symptoms, social abilities and cognitive abilities. We hope these studies will provide insights into the neural dysfunctions in ASD and the subsequent implications to the clinical and educational practices employed to improve the life quality of affected individuals.
Heterogeneity is a key characteristic of many neurodevelopmental disorders. These include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), for which heterogeneous profiles of symptoms, social abilities and cognitive abilities are reported in the literature. ASD is estimated to affect 1 in 160 children worldwide, and severely impacts the wellbeing of affected individuals' and their families. ASD is characterised by brain dysfunctions in many brain regions, however, the underlying neural mechanisms of the heterogeneous profiles in ASD remain poorly understood.
The goal of this Research Topic is to examine recent evidence from neuroimaging studies that focus on brain dysfunctions in ASD. Specifically, how abnormal functions or structures in different brain regions may associate with individual differences or heterogeneous patterns of symptoms or behaviours in ASD.
We encourage researchers to contribute findings relating to the neural bases of heterogeneous patterns in ASD. Here heterogeneity is broadly defined, and includes differences between individuals, between groups of certain characteristics (e.g. gender, age and cognitive abilities) and between subgroups with distinct profiles (e.g. subgroups with different patterns in social abilities and subgroups with or without comorbid conditions such as ADHD). We are particularly interested in studies that examine the structural and functional abnormalities in the human brain that underlie heterogeneous patterns in symptoms, social abilities and cognitive abilities. We hope these studies will provide insights into the neural dysfunctions in ASD and the subsequent implications to the clinical and educational practices employed to improve the life quality of affected individuals.
