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Functional activity in the anterior cingulate cortex and insula has been reported to be abnormal during social tasks in autism spectrum disorders. However, few studies have examined surface morphometry in these regions and how this may be related to autism spectrum disorder symptomatology. In this study, 27 individuals with autism spectrum disorders and 25 controls between the ages of 7 to 39 years underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging. Our primary analysis examined differences in surface area in the cingulate and insula, between individuals with and without autism spectrum disorders, as well as age-related changes and associations with social impairments. Surface area in the right cingulate was significantly different between groups and decreased more rapidly with age in autism spectrum disorder participants. In addition, greater surface area in the insula and isthmus was associated with poorer social behaviors. Results suggest atypical surface morphometry in brain regions involved in social function, which appeared to be related to poorer social ability scores.

Original publication

DOI

10.1177/0883073812451496

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Child Neurol

Publication Date

06/2013

Volume

28

Pages

732 - 739

Keywords

autism spectrum disorders, cingulate cortex and insula, structural MRI, surface morphometry, Adolescent, Age Factors, Atrophy, Cerebral Cortex, Child, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Child, Preschool, Dominance, Cerebral, Female, Gyrus Cinguli, Humans, Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Organ Size, Parahippocampal Gyrus, Reference Values, Social Adjustment, Young Adult