Fusiform correlates of facial memory in autism.

Alyson Froehlich,Annahir Cariello,Janet Lainhart,Andrew Alexander,Jason Cooperrider,Tyler Duffield,Brittany Travers,Nicholas Lange,Brandon Zielinski,Jeffrey Anderson,Erin Bigler,Haley Trontel,Jared Nielsen,Molly Prigge

doi:10.3390/bs3030348

Abstract

Prior studies have shown that performance on standardized measures of memory in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is substantially reduced in comparison to matched typically developing controls (TDC). Given reported deficits in face processing in autism, the current study compared performance on an immediate and delayed facial memory task for individuals with ASD and TDC. In addition, we examined volumetric differences in classic facial memory regions of interest (ROI) between the two groups, including the fusiform, amygdala, and hippocampus. We then explored the relationship between ROI volume and facial memory performance. We found larger volumes in the autism group in the left amygdala and left hippocampus compared to TDC. In contrast, TDC had larger left fusiform gyrus volumes when compared with ASD. Interestingly, we also found significant negative correlations between delayed facial memory performance and volume of the left and right fusiform and the left hippocampus for the ASD group but not for TDC. The possibility of larger fusiform volume as a marker of abnormal connectivity and decreased facial memory is discussed.

Highlights

Prior studies have shown that performance on standardized measures of memory in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is substantially reduced in comparison to matched typically developing controls (TDC) [1,2,3,4,5,6]
The current study investigated whether hippocampal, amygdala, or fusiform gyral volume related to performance on the Test of Memory and Learning (TOMAL) Facial Memory task, both immediate and 30-minute delayed recall, in children 5 to 19 years of age with ASD compared to TDC age-matched individuals
The objective of the current study was to examine facial memory in autism and to explore the relation of facial memory performance with anatomical regions of interest (ROI) volumes known to be involved in face processing

Summary

Introduction

Prior studies have shown that performance on standardized measures of memory in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is substantially reduced in comparison to matched typically developing controls (TDC) [1,2,3,4,5,6]. This is not surprising given speculation of various white matter temporal lobe abnormalities in ASD [7] and the role that temporal structures play in memory and learning [8]. Despite the large amount of research pertaining to facial processing in ASD, the literature examining facial memory is more limited, and a comprehensive understanding of facial memory functioning in this population is lacking [13,14,15]

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Conclusion