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Structural Imaging in Autism

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Imaging the Brain in Autism

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Abstract

Advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have enabled an explosive phase of macroscopic structural brain research in autism. This chapter reviews structural MRI findings from investigations of brain volume and cortical thickness from early childhood into adulthood. Global and regional brain differences are described, as well as reported gender effects. In many individuals with autism, early total and regional brain overgrowth is found, followed by “normalization” during childhood and adolescence. Regional cortical decline extends through adolescence and into adulthood in some individuals. At all stages of development, total brain changes and functional differences between individuals are important for the interpretation of structural findings. The improvement of structural MRI techniques and combination of multimodal imaging analysis will elucidate the neurobiological correlates of macroscopic findings in the disorder.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Utah, 295 Chipeta Way, Rm 2S010, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA

    Brandon A. Zielinski

  2. The University of Utah, 650 Komas Dr., Suite 206, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA

    Molly D. Prigge Ph.D. & Jared A. Nielsen B.S.

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Waisman Center for Brain Imaging and Behavior, Waisman Center, Room T227, 1500 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53705, USA

    Janet E. Lainhart M.D.

Authors
  1. Brandon A. Zielinski
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  2. Molly D. Prigge Ph.D.
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  3. Jared A. Nielsen B.S.
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  4. Janet E. Lainhart M.D.
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Correspondence to Brandon A. Zielinski .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Psychiatry, University of Louisville, S. Preston Street 500, Louisville, 40292, Kentucky, USA

    Manuel F. Casanova

  2. , Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, 40208, USA

    Ayman S. El-Baz

  3. Global Biomedical Technologies, Otter Glen Ct. 208, Roseville, 95661, California, USA

    Jasjit S. Suri

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Zielinski, B.A., Prigge, M.D., Nielsen, J.A., Lainhart, J.E. (2013). Structural Imaging in Autism. In: Casanova, M., El-Baz, A., Suri, J. (eds) Imaging the Brain in Autism. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6843-1_7

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