Volumetric alterations of the orbitofrontal cortex in autism.
Recent evidence has implicated the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in the pathophysiology of social deficits in autism. An MRI-based morphometric study of the OFC was conducted involving 11 children with autism (age range 8.1-12.7 years) and 18 healthy, age-matched controls (age range 8.9-12.8 years). Decreased grey matter volume in the right lateral OFC in the patient group was found, and correlations were observed between social deficits and white, but not grey, matter structures of the OFC. These findings support the role of OFC in autism and warrant further investigations of this structure using structural and functional methodologies.
Girgis
Ragy R
RR
Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.
Minshew
Nancy J
NJ
Melhem
Nadine M
NM
Nutche
Jeffrey J
JJ
Keshavan
Matcheri S
MS
Hardan
Antonio Y
AY
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000473:pathology*; D012919:Social Behavior