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Brain-stem volume may predict aggression in ASD

Brain-stem volume may indicate risk for aggression in autism spectrum disorders, according to recent findings.

“Aggressive behaviors are common in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and may be phenotypic indicators of different subtypes within ASD. In research literature for non-ASD samples, aggression has been linked to several brain structures associated with emotion and behavioral control,” Rebecca A. Lundwall, PhD, of Brigham Young University, and colleagues wrote. “However, few, if any, studies exist investigating brain volume differences in individuals with ASD who have comorbid aggression as indicated by standardized diagnostic and behavioral measures.”

To explore the relationship between brain-stem volume and aggression in ASD, researchers analyzed neuroimaging data for a sample of 150 individuals, which included 45 male children with ASD. Study participants’ ages ranged from 3 to 13 years.

Among participants with ASD, analysis using the regularization parameter that minimized binomial deviance indicated brain-stem volume as the only predictor that remained significant (P = .0453), with a regression coefficient of –0.0001.

This indicated that the risk for high aggression in ASD decreased as brain-stem volume increased, according to researchers.

Similar associations were found when analysis included both participants with and without ASD.

“This line of research has the potential to improve proactive approaches to aggression in ASD. Understanding what is happening in the brain shortly before an aggressive episode could lead to better interventions ... . Some treatments might be in regard to baseline physiological arousal levels and/or modulation of physiological arousal in response to threatening or frustrating situations,” the researchers wrote. “Improved regulation (by psychopharmacology and/or behavioral methods) may provide a window of opportunity to ameliorate distress before aggressive behavior escalates.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.