title: Regional white matter development in children with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: In this pilot study the severity of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) was associated with alterations in white matter development. Children with ASD and without ASD were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for their myelination development on a regional basis. Measures were obtained in medial frontal cortex, temporal poles, and temporo-parietal junction in both left and right hemispheres. Children with ASD showed myelination that was greater than expected for their age in both left and right medial frontal cortex and showed myelination that was less than expected in left temporo-parietal junction. The severity of ASD symptoms, as assessed by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic, was associated more with left hemisphere alterations than right hemisphere.
authors.affiliation: Institute for the Study of Child Development, Robert Wood Johnson Autism Center, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 97 Paterson Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA. carmoddp@umdnj.edu
authors.forename: Dennis P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Carmody
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000473:pathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000473:pathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index