Autism severity and temporal lobe functional abnormalities.
Two independent studies have described bilateral temporal hypoperfusion in autistic children. Temporal regions are implicated in social perception, language, and "theory-of-mind," abilities that are impaired in autism. We investigated a putative relationship between cerebral blood flow (rCBF) measured at rest and clinical profile of 45 autistic children (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised [ADI-R] scores). A whole-brain covariance analysis was performed. Significant negative correlation was observed between rCBF and ADI-R score in the left superior temporal gyrus. The more severe the autistic syndrome, the more rCBF is low in this region, suggesting that left superior temporal hypoperfusion is related to autistic behavior severity.
Gendry Meresse
Isabelle
I
ERM 0205 Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Médicale CEA, Service Hospitalier F Joliot, DSV, DRM, CEA, Orsay, France.
Zilbovicius
Mônica
M
Boddaert
Nathalie
N
Robel
Laurence
L
Philippe
Anne
A
Sfaello
Ignacio
I
Laurier
Laurence
L
Brunelle
Francis
F
Samson
Yves
Y
Mouren
Marie-Christine
MC
Chabane
Nadia
N
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*