An MRI study of the basal ganglia in autism

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Abstract

  • 1.

    1. High-resolution MRI scans were obtained from 35 relatively high-functioning persons with autism and 36 healthy controls, comparable in age, gender, and IQ.

  • 2.

    2. Volumetric measurements were obtained from manual tracing of the bilateral caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus.

  • 3.

    3. An increased volume of the caudate nuclei was found in subjects with autism. Caudate enlargement was proportional to increased total brain volume in subjects with autism.

  • 4.

    4. Caudate volume was associated with compulsions and rituals, difficulties with minor change, and complex motor mannerisms in autism.

  • 5.

    5. Based on evidence of caudate abnormalities, a second MRI study was completed which replicated the finding of caudate enlargement in autism using an independent sample.

  • 6.

    6. The caudate may be part of an abnormal distributed neural network in autism and involved in the ritualistic — repetitive behaviors of the disorder.

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