Altered Links Between Anterior Cingulate Cortex Anatomy and Inhibition Skills in Middle to Older Aged Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Abstract

Response inhibition, a component of executive function, may relate to core symptomatology in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays an important role in inhibition and has shown altered structure in previous studies of children and young adults with ASD. We examined relationships between ACC anatomy, inhibition skills, and age in later adulthood (40-70 years), when individuals with ASD may be at dual risk from existing developmental deficits and degenerative processes seen in typical aging.