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Related Concept Videos

Somatosensation01:33

Somatosensation

The somatosensory system relays sensory information from the skin, mucous membranes, limbs, and joints. Somatosensation is more familiarly known as the sense of touch. A typical somatosensory pathway includes three types of long neurons: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary neurons have cell bodies located near the spinal cord in groups of neurons called dorsal root ganglia. The sensory neurons of ganglia innervate designated areas of skin called dermatomes.
Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex01:14

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex

The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
Association Areas of the Cortex01:21

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex01:23

Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex

The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at the...
Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
12:21

Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Published on: September 12, 2011

Cortical sulcal maps in autism.

Jennifer G Levitt1, Rebecca E Blanton, Susan Smalley

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA. jlevitt@mednet.ucla.edu

Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|June 21, 2003
PubMed
Summary

This study mapped brain sulcal patterns in autism, revealing anatomical shifts in frontal and temporal regions. These findings suggest potential delays in brain maturation affecting key cognitive functions.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

  • The neurobiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains largely unknown.
  • Cortical development and neuroanatomy are critical areas for understanding ASD.
  • Previous research has not comprehensively mapped three-dimensional cortical sulcal patterns in ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the first three-dimensional (3D) mapping of cortical sulcal patterns in children and adolescents with autism.
  • To identify specific anatomical differences in cerebral cortex sulci between autistic and typically developing individuals.
  • To investigate potential correlations between sulcal pattern abnormalities and delayed brain maturation in ASD.

Main Methods:

  • Acquisition of high-resolution T(1)-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans from 21 autistic and 20 control subjects (children and adolescents).
  • Utilizing parametric mesh-based analytic techniques to construct 3D models of the cerebral cortex.
  • Detailed mapping of 22 major sulci in stereotaxic space to compare autistic and control groups.

Main Results:

  • Significant anatomical shifting of major sulci was observed, predominantly in frontal and temporal brain areas.
  • Specific findings include anterior and superior shifting of superior frontal sulci bilaterally, and anterior shifting of the right Sylvian fissure and superior temporal sulcus.
  • The autistic group exhibited anterior shifting of the left inferior frontal sulcus and less significant shifts in intraparietal and collateral sulci compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • The observed sulcal pattern shifts in autism may indicate delayed cortical maturation in specific brain regions.
  • These regions are implicated in crucial functions such as working memory, emotion processing, language, and eye gaze.
  • This study provides novel neuroanatomical insights into autism, highlighting potential developmental trajectories.