title: Neuroimaging endophenotypes in autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has a strong genetic basis, and is heterogeneous in its etiopathogenesis and clinical presentation. Neuroimaging studies, in concert with neuropathological and clinical research, have been instrumental in delineating trajectories of development in children with ASD. Structural neuroimaging has revealed ASD to be a disorder with general and regional brain enlargement, especially in the frontotemporal cortices, while functional neuroimaging studies have highlighted diminished connectivity, especially between frontal-posterior regions. The diverse and specific neuroimaging findings may represent potential neuroendophenotypes, and may offer opportunities to further understand the etiopathogenesis of ASD, predict treatment response, and lead to the development of new therapies.
authors.affiliation: 1Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research (CNIR),Kennedy Krieger Institute,Baltimore,Maryland,USA.
authors.forename: Rajneesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.affiliation: 1Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research (CNIR),Kennedy Krieger Institute,Baltimore,Maryland,USA.
authors.forename: Stewart H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Mostofsky
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D058068:Endophenotypes; D006801:Humans
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; DTI; MRI; endophenotypes; neuroimaging