Subtle Brain Differences Identified in Male ASD Brains

Credit: King's College London

• Researchers used Diffusion Tensor Imaging (MRI technique) to compare white matter networks
• Findings suggest autism spectrum disorder male brains had frontal lobe connectional differences
  • Altered development in the the Arcuate Bundle (language)
  • White matter underdeveloped in left Uncinate Bundle (face recognition and emotional processing)
• Researchers found that even if coping strategies were learned, these subtle differences remained
• Study involved 61 adult ASD males and 61 controls
• ASD commonly associated with difficulties in social interaction, verbal/nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors
• Published in the Journal Brain