Corpus callosum volume in children with autism.
The corpus callosum (CC) is the main commissure connecting the cerebral hemispheres. Previous evidence suggests the involvement of the CC in the pathophysiology of autism. However, most studies examined the mid-sagittal area and investigations applying novel methods are warranted. The goal of this investigation is to apply a volumetric method to examine the size of the CC in autism and to identify any association with clinical features. An MRI-based morphometric study of the total CC volume and its seven subdivisions was conducted and involved 22 children with autism (age range 8.1-12.7 years) and 23 healthy, age-matched controls. Reductions in the total volume of the CC and several of its subdivisions were found in the autism sample. Associations were observed between CC structures and clinical features including social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and sensory abnormalities. Volumetric alterations of the CC observed in this investigation are consistent with midsagittal area tracings of decreased CC size in autism. These findings support the aberrant connectivity hypothesis with possible decrease in interhemispheric communications.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. hardanay@stanford.edu
Antonio Y
AY
Hardan
Melissa
M
Pabalan
Nidhi
N
Gupta
Rahul
R
Bansal
Nadine M
NM
Melhem
Serguei
S
Fedorov
Matcheri S
MS
Keshavan
Nancy J
NJ
Minshew
D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male