Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social functioning and language and communication, with restricted interests or stereotyped behaviors. Anatomical differences have been found in the parietal cortex in children with ASD, but parietal subregions and associations between Sylvian fissure (SF) and parietal anatomy have not been explored. In this study, SF length and anterior and posterior parietal volumes were measured on MRI in 30 right-handed boys with ASD and 30 right-handed typically developing boys (7–14 years), matched on age and non-verbal IQ. There was leftward SF and anterior parietal asymmetry, and rightward posterior parietal asymmetry, across groups. There were associations between SF and parietal asymmetries, with slight group differences. Typical SF asymmetry was associated with typical anterior and posterior parietal asymmetry, in both groups. In the atypical SF asymmetry group, controls had atypical parietal asymmetry, whereas in ASD there were more equal numbers of individuals with typical as atypical anterior parietal asymmetry. We did not find significant anatomical-behavioral associations. Our findings of more individuals in the ASD group having a dissociation between cortical asymmetries warrants further investigation of these subgroups and emphasizes the importance of investigating anatomical relationships in addition to group differences in individual regions.
Highlights
Both lesion and neuroimaging studies have shown that the left inferior parietal lobule plays a critical role in the representation of learned, skilled movements
This study was designed to evaluate anatomical differences in Sylvian fissure (SF) length and in anterior and posterior parietal lobe volumes in right-handed boys with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to matched controls, ages 7 to 14 years
SF length was associated with anterior parietal volume in the typically developing right-handed boys
Summary
Both lesion and neuroimaging studies have shown that the left inferior parietal lobule (supramarginal gyrus, Brodmann area, BA 40) plays a critical role in the representation of learned, skilled movements (i.e. praxis representations) (for review [1]). Both action production and action understanding are thought to relate to language development and understanding of speech and gestures [2]. Mirror neurons have been found in the inferior frontal gyrus, as well as in parietal areas, namely the supramarginal gyrus, providing further support for the importance of the inferior parietal cortex in action production and understanding [6,7, for review, 8]. When we witness actions performed by another the informa-
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.
