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Autism attenuates sex differences in brain structure: a combined voxel-based morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging study
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 12:47 authored by F D Beacher, L Minati, S Baron-Cohen, M V Lombardo, M-C Lai, M A Gray, N A Harrison, Hugo CritchleyHugo CritchleyBACKGROUND AND PURPOSE It has been proposed that autism spectrums condition may represent a form of extreme male brain (EMB), a notion supported by psychometric, behavioral, and endocrine evidence. Yet, limited data are presently available evaluating this hypothesis in terms of neuroanatomy. Here, we investigated sex-related anatomic features in adults with AS, a "pure" form of autism not involving major developmental delay. MATERIALS AND METHODS Males and females with AS and healthy controls (n = 28 and 30, respectively) were recruited. Structural MR imaging was performed to measure overall gray and white matter volume and to assess regional effects by means of VBM. DTI was used to investigate the integrity of the main white matter tracts. RESULTS Significant interactions were found between sex and diagnosis in total white matter volume, regional gray matter volume in the right parietal operculum, and fractional anisotropy (FA) in the body of the CC, cingulum, and CR. Post hoc comparisons indicated that the typical sexual dimorphism found in controls, whereby males have larger FA and total white matter volume, was absent or attenuated in participants with AS. CONCLUSIONS Our results point to a fundamental role of the factors that underlie sex-specific brain differentiation in the etiology of autism.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
American Journal of NeuroradiologyISSN
1936-959XPublisher
American Society of NeuroradiologyExternal DOI
Issue
1Volume
33Page range
83-89Department affiliated with
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2012-11-09Usage metrics
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