Learning Disability Today
Supporting professionals working in learning disability and autism services

Study reveals subtle brain differences in men with autism

brain 180Subtle brain differences have been identified in adult males with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), thanks to research using novel brain imaging technology.

The study from King’s College London (KCL), published in the journal Brain, used Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technique, to compare networks of white matter – large bundles of nerve cells that connect different regions of the brain – in 61 men with ASD and 61 controls.

The scans revealed that men with ASD had differences in brain connections in the frontal lobe, a part of the brain that is crucial to developing language and social interaction skills.

Dr Marco Catani from KCL’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience said: “We found subtle brain differences in men who at a very young age had severe problems with communication and social interaction. The differences appear to remain even if they have somehow learned to cope with these difficulties in adult life.

“It is worth noting that the brain differences are visible only with the special research techniques we now have at our disposal. These differences are very subtle and potentially reversible. Thanks to neuroimaging studies like this, it may one day be possible to stimulate the development of these faulty brain connections, or to predict how people with autism respond to treatment.

Related Posts
1 of 870

“Our study did not include women and children, so it would be interesting to explore whether similar differences exist within these groups. For example, research has shown that women appear more resilient than men when it comes to autism, so it will be important if this is explained biologically in their brain development.”

Men with ASD in the study had altered development of white matter connections in the left side of the brain, the arcuate bundle, which is involved in language. The resulting differences were particularly severe in those who had a significant history of ‘delayed echolalia’. Delayed echolalia is very common in ASD and manifests in the parrot-like repetition of words or sentences.

While the study did not include women and children, it also found ASD was associated with underdevelopment of white matter in the left uncinate bundle, which plays a significant role in face recognition and emotional processing. This also correlated with observations of ‘inappropriate use of facial expression’ in childhood.

ASD affects about 1 in 100 people in the UK and involves a spectrum of conditions that manifest themselves differently in different people. People with ASD can have varying levels of impairment across three common areas, which might include: deficits in social interactions and reciprocal understanding, repetitive behaviour and narrow interests, and impairment in language and communication.

author avatar
LDT Editor

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More