Topic: Research News

Scientists have found two distinct types of autism by studying brain scans. One type shows high connectivity between brain regions, while the other shows low connectivity. This discovery could lead to more personalized approaches to diagnosing and treating autism.

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects communication and social skills. Researchers have long known that there is great variability in how autism manifests itself in different people. Now, scientists have discovered two distinct biological subtypes of autism, each with its own unique pattern of brain connectivity.

The study was led by researchers at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT-Italian Institute of Technology) and the Child Mind Institute. They used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan the brains of 940 children and young adults with autism, as well as over 1,000 neurotypical individuals.

The researchers found that one subtype showed reduced communication between brain regions, known as hypoconnectivity. This was associated with synaptic pathways. The other subtype showed increased communication between brain regions, known as hyperconnectivity, and was linked to immune-related biological systems.

These findings could help pave the way for more personalized approaches to autism diagnosis, care, and treatment. By understanding the different biological subtypes of autism, researchers can develop targeted therapies that address specific underlying mechanisms.

Implications

Scientists have found two distinct types of autism by studying brain scans. One type shows high connectivity between brain regions, while the other shows low connectivity. This discovery could lead to more personalized approaches to diagnosing and treating autism.