UM achieves progress in addressing heterogeneity of autism

Li Rihui, assistant professor at the Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences of the University of Macau (UM), and his research team have achieved significant breakthroughs in addressing the heterogeneity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalogram (EEG) technologies, the team has revealed the atypical brain connectome of both symptom-based and genetic-based ASD subtypes. This provides a new perspective to address the heterogeneity in ASD research and can be applied to precise healthcare management and therapeutic interventions for individuals with ASD.

As one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders, ASD affects approximately 1 to 2 per cent of the population. Individuals diagnosed with ASD typically exhibit challenges in social communication and restricted repetitive behaviours. Understanding the intricate neural mechanisms underlying ASD has been a longstanding goal for researchers. However, the substantial heterogeneity in both causes and manifestations within the ASD population has posed a considerable challenge in finding a consistent neural signature for the condition. A consensus has emerged that ASD comprises various subgroups with diverse etiologies and developmental trajectories. Investigating the distinctive characteristics of these subgroups therefore offers promise in predicting symptom development and advancing precision intervention strategies for ASD.

One of the studies by the research team delved into the atypical functional connectivity patterns of patients with Fragile X syndrome (FXS). FXS is a genetic disorder frequently associated with ASD, serving as one of the most common heritable risk factors of ASD (about 40 to 50 per cent of patients with FXS will be diagnosed with ASD). The team collected resting-state fMRI data from 38 girls diagnosed with FXS, and compared them to 32 girls (control group) matched in IQ, social function, and age. Their results showed that compared with the control group, girls with FXS showed significantly greater resting-state functional connectivity of the default mode network, lower nodal strength at the right middle temporal gyrus, stronger nodal strength at the left caudate, and higher global efficiency of the default mode network. These aberrant brain network characteristics map directly onto the cognitive behavioural symptoms commonly observed in girls with FXS. An exploratory analysis suggested that brain network patterns at a prior time point were predictive of the longitudinal development of participants’ multidomain cognitive behavioural symptoms. These findings contribute valuable insights into the impact of FXS on the brain’s connectome and offer a potential tool for assessing the developmental trajectory of behavioural phenotypes in girls with FXS. Moreover, the study highlights the specific brain connectome patterns linked to the different subtypes and risk factors of ASD. The study has been published in Biological Psychiatry, a leading journal in psychiatry.

Prof Li is the first and corresponding author of the research, with Allan Reiss, professor at Stanford University, as the senior author. The research is supported by the National Institute of Mental Health in the US (File no: R01MH050047 and T32MH019908), the Maternal & Child Health Research Institute at Stanford University (File no: 1220552-152-DHPEU), the Start-up Research Grant of UM (File no: SRG2023-00015-ICI), and the Canel Family Fund. The full version of the article can be viewed at https://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(23)01168-X/fulltext.

In another study, the team employed a symptom-based subgroup identification method to explore the resting-state functional connectivity of ASD subgroups. They collected resting state EEG data and evaluated autism behavioural symptom scores from 72 children diagnosed with ASD, alongside 63 typically developing children matched in gender and age. Using this approach, which was based on clustering and participants’ multidomain autism symptom clinical scale scores (SRS-2—Social Responsiveness Scales-Second Edition, and Vineland-3—Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Third Edition), two ASD subgroups were identified: one with more severe symptoms (sASD) and another with milder symptoms (mASD). Subsequent analysis of their EEG data uncovered divergent abnormalities in the resting-state functional connectivity of these two subgroups. Specifically, mASD group displayed increased functional connectivity in the beta band, while sASD group exhibited decreased connectivity in the alpha band. Significant between-group differences in global and regional topological abnormalities were identified in both alpha and beta bands. These results imply that variations in symptom severity might account for previous inconsistencies in research regarding the functional connectome of ASD children. The study has introduced a fresh perspective for addressing heterogeneity in ASD research and has been published in Cerebral Cortex, a leading journal in neuroscience.

This research is co-led by Prof Li and the team of Prof Yang Guang from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital. Li Yuhang, a doctoral student at UM, and Zhu Gang, a postgraduate student at the Chinese PLA General Hospital, are the co-first authors of the research. The research is supported by the Start-up Research Grant of UM (File no: SRG2023-00015-ICI), the General Project of Beijing Natural Science Foundation (File no: 7222187), and the Special Scientific Research Project of Military Family Planning (File no: 22JSZ20). The full version of the article can be viewed at https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhad413.

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https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/campus-news/detail/57392/

UM, Nanjing Medical University sign MOU

Hu Zhibin, president of Nanjing Medical University (NMU), led a delegation to visit the University of Macau (UM) and was warmly received by UM Rector Yonghua Song and Vice Rector Ge Wei. During the visit, in the presence of Song and Hu, Chen Xin, director of UM’s Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, and Han Feng, dean of NMU’s School of Pharmacy, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on educational and scientific cooperation. The MOU aims to strengthen cooperation and exchanges in the field of traditional Chinese medicine research, as well as student and faculty exchange programmes. The two parties also hope that the signed MOU will allow both universities to leverage their respective strengths, thereby promoting collaborative innovation in higher education, particularly in the fields of science and high technology. In addition, the delegation visited the University Gallery and the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine. They spoke highly of the development of UM, particularly its laboratories.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57386/

Delegation from National Development and Reform Commission visits UM

Xu Jianping, director of the Department of Regional Opening-up at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), led a delegation to visit the University of Macau (UM) today and was warmly received by Yonghua Song, rector of UM. During the visit, Song introduced to the delegation UM’s academic layout, research achievements, and development directions, and expressed gratitude to NDRC for its long-standing support for the university’s development. He added that UM will continue to closely follow the country’s strategic development, produce more high-quality research outcomes, and cultivate more talent who love the country and Macao, thereby helping Macao integrate into national development. Xu spoke highly of UM’s academic development and achievements, and noted that the university’s research development in areas such as Chinese medicine and the expansion of its soft power are evident to all. He expressed hope that UM will continue to leverage its strengths to cultivate talent for the country and Macao, and contribute to the high-quality development of higher education. In addition, the NDRC delegation visited the University Gallery and the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and praised the research development of the university.

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https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57385/

UM holds international conference on big data and intelligent systems

The Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City, and the Institute of Collaborative Innovation of the University of Macau (UM), together with the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Institute of Semiconductors of CAS, jointly held the Fifth International Joint Conference on High Performance Big Data and Intelligent Systems and the Third Macao Symposium on Cloud Computing and Intelligent Driving at UM. The conferences focused on hot topics such as high-performance computing technology, big data, intelligent technology and its applications, providing a platform to promote exchanges in academic and technological innovation.

Speaking at the conference, Xu Cheng-Zhong, chair of the conferences, chair professor in the Department of Computer and Information Science of FST and dean of FST at UM, said that in the face of new trends of global technological development and the challenges of industrial transformation, computing technology, big data, and intelligent technological innovation will empower various industries. The international conference brought together domestic and foreign scholars to discuss key technologies and research achievements, successfully facilitating collaborations between multiple universities and research institutes. Xu also expressed hope that the symposium would provide a platform for in-depth exchanges between participants from around the world, enabling scholars to share their research findings and cutting-edge technologies and students to gain a better understanding of the development trends in fields such as high-performance computing, big data, the internet of things, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, thereby broadening their research perspectives. Additionally, it aimed to strengthen academic research and discussions between scholars and facilitate cooperation on the industrialisation of academic achievements.

The conferences were sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society, with several international computer science experts serving as keynote speakers, including Roger Wattenhofer, professor at ETH Zurich in Switzerland; Xia Xiang-Gen, Charles Black Evans Professor at the University of Delaware; Jin Hai, chair professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Fu Xiaoming, chair professor at the University of Göttingen in Germany; and Tomoyuki Yokota, associate professor at the University of Tokyo.

In addition, the awards presentation ceremony for the Grand Prix Metaverse Autonomous Driving Challenge was held concurrently. City University of Hong Kong and Pui Ching Middle School (Macau) won the championship in the university and secondary school categories respectively.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57383/

Delegation from Chinese Academy of Sciences visits UM

Zhang Yaping, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), led a delegation to visit the University of Macau (UM) today (13 December) and was received by UM Rector Yonghua Song and Vice Rector Ge Wei. During the visit, Song introduced to the delegation UM’s history and research layout at the University Gallery, emphasising the university’s commitment to talent cultivation, research outcomes, and contributing to Macao’s economic diversification and the city’s integration into national development. In addition, the delegation discussed with UM representatives at a meeting on cooperation in key areas, including aerospace information, artificial intelligence and robotics, neuroscience and cognitive science, oncology, and ocean environment and engineering. The delegation also visited the UM-CAS joint laboratories, including the Joint Laboratory of Aerospace Information, the Joint Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, and the Joint Research Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. Wang Chunming, director of UM’s Research Services and Knowledge Transfer Office, presented to CAS an overview of the cooperation between the two parties, while other UM representatives introduced the joint laboratories and their collaborative projects. Acknowledging the remarkable achievements resulting from the close relationship between CAS and UM, Zhang expressed hope that the two parties will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in more academic fields to cultivate more high-calibre talent.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57375/

Chairman of CPPCC Anhui Provincial Committee visits UM

Tang Liangzhi, chairman of the Anhui Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), led a delegation to visit the University of Macau (UM) today (13 December) and was received by Yonghua Song, rector of UM. Song introduced to the delegation UM’s history and developments. He highlighted that UM is committed to cultivating more talent who love the country and Macao and producing more research achievements to help the Macao SAR promote economic diversification and integrate into national development. The delegation also visited the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Moon Chun Memorial College to learn about UM’s research achievements in Chinese medicine as well as its residential college system. Tang expressed hope that UM will strengthen its cooperation with higher education institutions and enterprises in Anhui so as to jointly promote cooperation and exchanges between the two places.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57374/

Delegation from Harbin Institute of Technology visits UM

Han Jiecai, president of Harbin Institute of Technology, led a delegation to visit the University of Macau (UM) today (12 December) and was received by Yonghua Song, rector of UM. The two parties held in-depth discussions on strengthening cooperation and talent cultivation. Song said that UM is committed to nurturing more talent who love the country and Macao and producing more research achievements to help the Macao SAR promote economic diversification and integrate into national development. He added that Harbin Institute of Technology is an important strategic partner of UM, and expressed hope that the two universities will continue to deepen their cooperation and leverage their complementary advantages in feature disciplines, basic disciplines, as well as emerging and interdisciplinary subjects, so as to contribute to the country’s technological development and cultivation of innovative talent. Members of the delegation visited the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City, the State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, the Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering, and Chao Kuang Piu College to learn about UM’s research achievements in recent years and its residential college system. They also spoke highly of the rapid development of the university.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57363/

Representative of UNESCO Beijing Office visits UM

Shahbaz Khan, representative of the UNESCO Beijing Office, led a delegation to visit the University of Macau (UM) today (12 December). The delegation was received by UM Rector Yonghua Song, and a meeting was held between the two parties. During the meeting, Song introduced to the delegation UM’s history, latest developments, academic layout, and research development, as well as the four elements that make UM a unique university, namely its location in a special administrative region, its special mission, its special status, and its unique model of education. Khan spoke highly of UM’s achievements in talent cultivation and research innovation and looks forward to working with UM to promote engineering education and research development. The delegation also visited the UM Gallery to learn about UM’s developments.

In addition, Khan gave a talk at the university on UNESCO’s role in sustainable development. He pointed out that the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, based on the development needs and capacities of individual countries, provides a clear strategic direction for the UN system. To achieve sustainable development, UNESCO collaborates with all its partners, actively promotes the Agenda for Sustainable Development, and plays a leading role in the process.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57362/

UM, University of Science and Technology of China sign cooperation agreement

Bao Xinhe, president of the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), led a delegation to visit the University of Macau (UM) today (12 December) and was received by Yonghua Song, rector of UM. During the visit, the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding on educational and scientific cooperation, as well as a student exchange agreement, with a view to deepening cooperation between the two universities and expanding exchange programmes.

During the meeting, Song said that UM is committed to cultivating more excellent and innovative talent for Macao, the country, and the world. UM and USTC have established extensive cooperation in terms of student exchange, academic exchange, and research collaboration. He added that the signing of the cooperation agreement means that the two universities will continue to leverage their complementary advantages, deepen cooperation, and establish a long-term partnership based on the principles of mutual benefit, mutual promotion, and mutual development. Bao noted that in recent years, UM has made remarkable progress in cultivating talent, significantly enhancing its research capacity and international influence. He also expressed hope that USTC will deepen cooperation with UM in various disciplines and facilitate exchanges between the residential colleges of both universities. In addition, the delegation visited the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City, the Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, and Cheong Kun Lun College.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57361/

UM becomes member university of C9 League+

The University of Macau (UM) has joined the Association of University Presidents of China (AUPC), following deliberation by the Board of Directors of the alliance. In addition, Yonghua Song, rector of UM, attended the Forum on Building First-Class Universities 2023. During the forum, Song gave a speech on the topic ‘Strategies for Talent Cultivation and Innovation of First-class Universities upon Resumption of Normalcy’ and shared UM’s characteristics, missions, as well as its practices and experiences of industry-academia collaboration. He also had in-depth discussions with delegates from other prestigious higher education institutions in China on the innovation and development of higher education in the new era. Chen Jie, vice minister of Education, and Choi Yuk-lin, secretary for education of Hong Kong, also delivered a speech at the forum respectively.

AUPC was established in 1997 under the approval of the Ministry of Education, with the aim of coordinating resources for higher education development in China. In 2009, the nine mainland member universities of AUPC—Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Peking University, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Nanjing University, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, Tsinghua University, University of Science and Technology of China, and Harbin Institute of Technology—formed the C9 League. They also established a cooperation framework called ‘C9+3’ with three Hong Kong member universities, namely The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. With UM joining the association, the cooperation framework has further expanded to ‘C9+3+1’.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57344/