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Subtypes of autism by cluster analysis based on structural MRI data

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Abstract

The aim of our study was to subcategorize Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) using a multidisciplinary approach. Sixty four autistic patients (mean age 9.4±5.6 years) were entered into a cluster analysis. The clustering analysis was based on MRI data. The clusters obtained did not differ significantly in the overall severity of autistic symptomatology as measured by the total score on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). The clusters could be characterized as showing significant differences: Cluster 1: showed the largest sizes of the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum (CC), the lowest pregnancy order and the lowest frequency of facial dysmorphic features. Cluster 2: showed the largest sizes of the amygdala and hippocampus (HPC), the least abnormal visual response on the CARS, the lowest frequency of epilepsy and the least frequent abnormal psychomotor development during the first year of life. Cluster 3: showed the largest sizes of the caput of the nucleus caudatus (NC), the smallest sizes of the HPC and facial dysmorphic features were always present. Cluster 4: showed the smallest sizes of the genu and splenium of the CC, as well as the amygdala, and caput of the NC, the most abnormal visual response on the CARS, the highest frequency of epilepsy, the highest pregnancy order, abnormal psychomotor development during the first year of life was always present and facial dysmorphic features were always present. This multidisciplinary approach seems to be a promising method for subtyping autism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child Psychiatry, Charles University 2nd Medical School, V Uvalu 84, 15006, Prague, Czech Republic

    Michal Hrdlicka, Iva Dudova & Irena Beranova

  2. Department of Imaging Methods, Charles University 2nd Medical School, V Uvalu 84, 15006, Prague, Czech Republic

    Jiri Lisy, Tomas Belsan & Jiri Neuwirth

  3. Department of Child Neurology, Charles University 2nd Medical School, V Uvalu 84, 15006, Prague, Czech Republic

    Vladimir Komarek & Ludvika Faladova

  4. Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, Charles University 2nd Medical School, V Uvalu 84, 15006, Prague, Czech Republic

    Marketa Havlovicova & Zdenek Sedlacek

  5. Institute of Psychology, Academy of Sciences, Veveri 97, 60200, Brno, Czech Republic

    Marek Blatny & Tomas Urbanek

Authors
  1. Michal Hrdlicka
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  2. Iva Dudova
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  3. Irena Beranova
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  4. Jiri Lisy
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  7. Vladimir Komarek
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  8. Ludvika Faladova
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  9. Marketa Havlovicova
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Hrdlicka, M., Dudova, I., Beranova, I. et al. Subtypes of autism by cluster analysis based on structural MRI data. Europ.Child & Adolescent Psych 14, 138–144 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-005-0453-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-005-0453-z

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