Abstract
Impairments in language and communication are core features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The anatomy of critical language areas has been studied in ASD with inconsistent findings. We used MRI to measure gray matter volume and asymmetry of Heschl’s gyrus, planum temporale, pars triangularis, and pars opercularis in 40 children and adolescents with ASD and 40 typically developing individuals, each divided into younger (7–11 years) and older (12–19 years) cohorts. The older group had larger left planum temporale volume and stronger leftward asymmetry than the younger group, regardless of diagnosis. The pars triangularis and opercularis together were larger in ASD than controls. Correlations between frontal language areas with language and symptom severity scores were significant in younger ASD children. Results suggest similar developmental changes in planum temporale anatomy in both groups, but group differences in pars triangularis and opercularis that may be related to language abilities and autism symptom severity.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported by a program project grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (U19 DC 03610), which is part of the NICHD/NIDCD funded Collaborative Programs on Excellence in Autism, as well as funding for the GCRC at Boston University School of Medicine (M01-RR0533). This study was also supported by NINDS F30 NS055511. We thank Lin Themelis for help with screening and scheduling participants and Danielle Delosh for help with measurements of total hemisphere volume. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the children and families who participated in this study.
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Knaus, T.A., Silver, A.M., Dominick, K.C. et al. Age-Related Changes in the Anatomy of Language Regions in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Brain Imaging and Behavior 3, 51–63 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-008-9048-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-008-9048-x