Abstract
Comparison of brain function between children and adults with autism provides an understanding of the effects of the disorder and associated maturational differences on language processing. Functional imaging (functional magnetic resonance imaging) was used to examine brain activation and cortical synchronization during the processing of literal and ironic texts in 15 children with autism, 14 children with typical development, 13 adults with autism, and 12 adult controls. Both the children and adults with autism had lower functional connectivity (synchronization of brain activity among activated areas) than their age and ability comparison group in the left hemisphere language network during irony processing, and neither autism group had an increase in functional connectivity in response to increased task demands. Activation differences for the literal and irony conditions occurred in key language-processing regions (left middle temporal, left pars triangularis, left pars opercularis, left medial frontal, and right middle temporal). The children and adults with autism differed from each other in the use of some brain regions during the irony task, with the adults with autism having activation levels similar to those of the control groups. Overall, the children and adults with autism differed from the adult and child controls in (a) the degree of network coordination, (b) the distribution of the workload among member nodes, and (3) the dynamic recruitment of regions in response to text content. Moreover, the differences between the two autism age groups may be indicative of positive changes in the neural function related to language processing associated with maturation and/or educational experience.
Highlights
Comparison of brain function between children and adults with autism provides an understanding of the effects of the disorder and associated maturational differences on language processing
Much like adults with typical development (TD), adults with autism demonstrate spillover processing from the language-dominant left hemisphere to right hemisphere language homologs in language-processing tasks that are relatively more difficult for them [Tesink et al, 2009]. These results indicate that, similar cortical regions are used in language comprehension in autism as in neurotypical participants, the brain affected by autism differs in three interesting respects: (a) the degree of network coordination; (b) the distribution of the workload among member nodes; and (c) the dynamic recruitment of regions in response to text content
Examination of activation in brain regions related to language and theory of mind processing revealed that, in general, the children and adults with autism used a language/discourse-processing network that incorporated the same left and right hemisphere cortical regions previously reported for individuals with TD [Ferstl et al, 2008], including left pars opercularis (LOPER), left pars triangularis (LTRIA), left superior temporal gyrus (LSTG), LMT and RMT, left medial frontal gyrus (LMedFG), right temporal parietal junction (RTPJ), and right prefrontal cortex (RPFC)
Summary
Comparison of brain function between children and adults with autism provides an understanding of the effects of the disorder and associated maturational differences on language processing. Much like adults with TD, adults with autism demonstrate spillover processing from the language-dominant left hemisphere to right hemisphere language homologs (i.e. right inferior frontal gyrus) in language-processing tasks that are relatively more difficult for them [Tesink et al, 2009] In combination, these results indicate that, similar cortical regions are used in language comprehension in autism as in neurotypical participants, the brain affected by autism differs in three interesting respects: (a) the degree of network coordination; (b) the distribution of the workload among member nodes; and (c) the dynamic recruitment of regions in response to text content. Wang and colleagues interpreted the increased activation as the effortful use of normative neural circuitry associated with the processing involved in understanding the mental states These studies suggest that children and adolescents with autism demonstrate difficulties in the neurofunctional basis of language processing, similar to those exhibited by the adults.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
