title: Children with autism adapt normally during a catching task requiring the cerebellum.
abstract: The cerebellum, which has been found to be abnormal in histopathological studies of autism, is important for motor adaptation. We studied controls and children with high functioning autism (HFA) performing a catching adaptation test that is known to be impaired following cerebellar damage. Results showed no differences in adaptation rates or after-effects for HFA subjects versus controls. The findings indicate normal motor adaptation in HFA, suggesting normal or compensated cerebellar function for this task.
authors.affiliation: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. mostofsky@kennedykrieger.org
authors.forename: Stewart H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Mostofsky
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bunoski
authors.forename: Susanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: Melissa C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: Amy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bastian
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*