Investigation for neural basis of PTSD-like symptoms in autism spectrum disorder.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17116
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
• Research Institution: Nara Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Soichiro Kitamura 奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 研究員 (10714389)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 自閉スペクトラム症 / PTSD / 幼少期逆境体験 / MRI

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the current study, we investigated structural abnormality of the brain related to posttraumatic steress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) . Then, we examined the relationships between the severity of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and neurala abnormalities as mentioned above. In ASD, there were singificant correlations between severity of PTSD symptoms and reduced gray matter volume and increased neurite density in the frontal and parietal cortices and precuneus. Additionally, these gray matter strcutural abnormalities were related to severity of ACEs. These finidings were not shown in typically developed persons. Our results found ASD specific brain abnormalities related to PTSD symptoms, which were related to severity of ACEs.

Free Research Field

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Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ASDは様々な精神症状を合併することが知られる。これら二次性精神症状はASDの日常生活や社会機能に深刻な影響を及ぼすこと、薬物療法など治療への反応性に乏しいことがしばしば認められるため、その病態基盤を解明することは重要であると考える。本研究ではASDにしばしば併発するPTSD症状に関連する脳領域の灰白質構造異常と、それらが幼少期逆境体験の重症度と関連することを明らかにした。今回の知見を基にした薬物療法やニューロモデュレーションのような非薬物療法的なアプローチの検討が期待される。またASDにおける幼少期からの適切な養育が青年期以降の脳構造異常や二次性精神症状を予防する可能性が考えられる。