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<p>Recent increases in screen time (ST) among children, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), have raised concerns about its potential impact on neurodevelopment. However, the neural mechanisms linking ST to ASD are not yet fully understood. This study examines the effects of ST on white matter microstructure and neurodevelopment in children with ASD, using Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) to obtain more detailed insights. A total of 151 children with ASD, aged 24–60 months, were divided into low-dose exposure (LDE) and high-dose exposure (HDE) groups. DKI scans, along with behavioral and neurodevelopmental assessments, were employed to evaluate the relationship between ST, white matter integrity, and developmental outcomes. Key findings include significantly reduced white matter integrity in regions such as the fornix, corpus callosum (CC), and corona radiata (CR) in the HDE group. These abnormalities correlated with more severe ASD core symptoms and delayed language development. Mediation analysis revealed that ST partially mediated the relationship between white matter abnormalities and neurodevelopmental impairments. This study highlights ST’s dual role in children with ASD as both an environmental risk factor and a behavioral response to neurobiological vulnerabilities. It provides new insights into how excessive ST may exacerbate neurodevelopmental deficits and emphasizes the importance of managing ST in children with ASD to mitigate long-term developmental delays.</p>

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Impact of screen time on white matter integrity and neurodevelopment in children with autism spectrum disorder: a diffusional kurtosis imaging mediation analysis

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月25日

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  • Yang Xue,
  • Pu Tian,
  • Yu Zhang,
  • Miao-shui Bai,
  • Fei-yong Jia

摘要

Recent increases in screen time (ST) among children, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), have raised concerns about its potential impact on neurodevelopment. However, the neural mechanisms linking ST to ASD are not yet fully understood. This study examines the effects of ST on white matter microstructure and neurodevelopment in children with ASD, using Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) to obtain more detailed insights. A total of 151 children with ASD, aged 24–60 months, were divided into low-dose exposure (LDE) and high-dose exposure (HDE) groups. DKI scans, along with behavioral and neurodevelopmental assessments, were employed to evaluate the relationship between ST, white matter integrity, and developmental outcomes. Key findings include significantly reduced white matter integrity in regions such as the fornix, corpus callosum (CC), and corona radiata (CR) in the HDE group. These abnormalities correlated with more severe ASD core symptoms and delayed language development. Mediation analysis revealed that ST partially mediated the relationship between white matter abnormalities and neurodevelopmental impairments. This study highlights ST’s dual role in children with ASD as both an environmental risk factor and a behavioral response to neurobiological vulnerabilities. It provides new insights into how excessive ST may exacerbate neurodevelopmental deficits and emphasizes the importance of managing ST in children with ASD to mitigate long-term developmental delays.