Imaging data in autism: from structure to malfunction.
During the last two decades, neuroimaging studies have improved our knowledge of brain development and contributed to our understanding of disorders involving the developing brain. Differences in cerebral anatomy have been determined in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Morphological studies by magnetic resonance imaging have provided evidence of structural differences in ASD compared with the normal population. This has enhanced our view of autism as a neurobiological disorder corresponding with different stages and events in brain development. Alterations in volume of the total brain and specifically the cerebellum, frontal lobe, and limbic system have been identified. There appears to be a pattern of increased and then decreased rate of brain growth over time. We integrate these observations with neurobehavioral findings to provide a developmental hypothesis of the pathophysiology of autism.
Acosta
Maria T
MT
Department of Neurology, Children's National Medical Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20010-2970, USA. macosta@cnmc.org
Pearl
Phillip L
PL
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000473:pathology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008032:Limbic System / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011603:Psychophysiology