Abstract
Background
Recent neuroimaging studies suggest that autism spectrum disorder results from abnormalities
in the cortical folding pattern. Usual morphometric measurements have failed to provide
reliable neuroanatomic markers. Here, we propose that sulcal pits, which are the deepest
points in each fold, are suitable candidates to uncover this atypical cortical folding.
Methods
Sulcal pits were extracted from a magnetic resonance imaging database of 102 children
(1.5–10 years old) distributed in three groups: children with autistic disorder (n = 59), typically developing children (n = 22), and children with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified
(n = 21). The geometrical properties of sulcal pits were compared between these three
groups.
Results
Fold-level analyses revealed a reduced pit depth in the left ascending ramus of the
Sylvian fissure in children with autistic disorder only. The depth of this central
fold of Broca’s area was correlated with the social communication impairments that
are characteristic of the pathology.
Conclusions
Our findings support an atypical gyrogenesis of this specific fold in autistic disorder
that could be used for differential diagnosis. Sulcal pits constitute valuable markers
of the cortical folding dynamics and could help for the early detection of atypical
brain maturation.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 23, 2015
Accepted:
November 5,
2015
Received in revised form:
November 4,
2015
Received:
September 29,
2015
Footnotes
☆Authors LB and GA contributed equally to this work.
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
