Autism severity and temporal lobe functional abnormalities

Ann Neurol. 2005 Sep;58(3):466-9. doi: 10.1002/ana.20597.

Abstract

Two independent studies have described bilateral temporal hypoperfusion in autistic children. Temporal regions are implicated in social perception, language, and "theory-of-mind," abilities that are impaired in autism. We investigated a putative relationship between cerebral blood flow (rCBF) measured at rest and clinical profile of 45 autistic children (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised [ADI-R] scores). A whole-brain covariance analysis was performed. Significant negative correlation was observed between rCBF and ADI-R score in the left superior temporal gyrus. The more severe the autistic syndrome, the more rCBF is low in this region, suggesting that left superior temporal hypoperfusion is related to autistic behavior severity.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autistic Disorder / diagnostic imaging
  • Autistic Disorder / physiopathology*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Temporal Lobe / abnormalities*
  • Temporal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Temporal Lobe / physiopathology*