Researchers study facial structures, brain abnormalities to reveal formula for detection...(ects also are supported by a $100000 con...)
ects also are supported by a $100,000 contribution from other MU sources and $30,000 in Research Scholar Funds.
"Instead of looking at brain structures slice-by-slice in an MRI (magnetic resonance image), we developed tools to create 3-D representations of the structures in order to visualize and make comparisons," said Kevin Karsch, a research assistant in Duan's computer graphics lab, MU senior and Goldwater Scholar. "Using the 3-D representations, we are comparing the brain structures of autistic children to those of non-autistic children; no one has ever done that."
Duan's facial and brain imaging work will focus on two ASD subgroups hypothetically identified by Judith Miles, the William and Nancy Thompson Endowed Chair in Child Health at the Thompson Center. She has observed and distinguished children with a tendency toward more physical and brain abnormalities and smaller heads as having complex autism. Only about 20 percent of affected children fit this subset. The other 80 percent are classified as having essential autism. Miles also has identified physical similarities in facial structure and increased cranium size among those in the essential group and has speculated that the traits may be related to brain abnormalities.
To address the pressing questions about brain development and function in autism, a dozen University of Missouri researchers from a variety of disciplines formed The Autism Neuroscience Research Group (ANRG).
"Our research group is exploiting a tremendous overlap of knowledge from many disciplines. Ye's work will be a pivotal part of ANRG's grand scheme," Miles said. "To solve these problems, it takes an entire community of specialists working together."
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| Contact: Emily Smith SmithEA@missouri.edu 573-882-3346 University of Missouri-Columbia Source:Eurekalert |
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 Researchers study facial structures, brain abnormalities to reveal formula for detection of autism |
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