Cerebellum, language, and cognition in autism and specific language impairment.
We performed cerebellum segmentation and parcellation on magnetic resonance images from right-handed boys, aged 6-13 years, including 22 boys with autism [16 with language impairment (ALI)], 9 boys with Specific Language Impairment (SLI), and 11 normal controls. Language-impaired groups had reversed asymmetry relative to unimpaired groups in posterior-lateral cerebellar lobule VIIIA (right side larger in unimpaired groups, left side larger in ALI and SLI), contralateral to previous findings in inferior frontal cortex language areas. Lobule VIIA Crus I was smaller in SLI than in ALI. Vermis volume, particularly anterior I-V, was decreased in language-impaired groups. Language performance test scores correlated with lobule VIIIA asymmetry and with anterior vermis volume. These findings suggest ALI and SLI subjects show abnormalities in neurodevelopment of fronto-corticocerebellar circuits that manage motor control and the processing of language, cognition, working memory, and attention.
Hodge
Steven M
SM
Center for Morphometric Analysis, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Makris
Nikos
N
Kennedy
David N
DN
Caviness
Verne S
VS
Howard
James
J
McGrath
Lauren
L
Steele
Shelly
S
Frazier
Jean A
JA
Tager-Flusberg
Helen
H
Harris
Gordon J
GJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D002525:Cerebellar Cortex / Q000473:pathology; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D007807:Language Tests; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance