Neuroimaging of Autism

Overview

Journal Neuroradiology

Specialties Neurology
Radiology

Date 2009 Dec 25

PMID 20033797

Citations 61

Authors

Judith S Verhoeven

Paul De Cock

Lieven Lagae

Stefan Sunaert

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Neuroimaging studies done by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have provided important insights into the neurobiological basis for autism. The aim of this article is to review the current state of knowledge regarding brain abnormalities in autism. Results of structural MRI studies dealing with total brain volume, the volume of the cerebellum, caudate nucleus, thalamus, amygdala and the area of the corpus callosum are summarised. In the past 5 years also new MRI applications as functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging brought considerable new insights in the pathophysiological mechanisms of autism. Dysfunctional activation in key areas of verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction, and executive functions are revised. Finally, we also discuss white matter alterations in important communication pathways in the brain of autistic patients.

Citing Articles

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Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on brain activity and cortical functional connectivity in children with autism spectrum disorders.

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Predicting Autism from Head Movement Patterns during Naturalistic Social Interactions.

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Examining the Dominant Presence of Brain Grey Matter in Autism During Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

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