Paternal age contribution to brain white matter aberrations in autism spectrum disorder

Aim Although advanced parental age holds an increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), its role as a potential risk factor for an atypical white matter development underlying the pathophysiology of ASD has not yet been investigated. The current study was aimed to detect white matter disparities in ASD, and further investigate the relationship of paternal and maternal age at birth with such disparities. Methods Thirty‐nine adult males with high‐functioning ASD and 37 typically developing (TD) males were analyzed in the study. The FMRIB Software Library and tract‐based spatial statistics were utilized to process and analyze the diffusion tensor imaging data. Results Subjects with ASD exhibited significantly higher mean diffusivity (MD) and radial diffusivity (RD) in white matter fibers, including the association (inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculus, right inferior longitudinal fasciculus, superior longitudinal fasciculi, uncinate fasciculus, and cingulum), commissural (forceps minor), and projection tracts (anterior thalamic radiation and right corticospinal tract) compared to TD subjects (Padjusted