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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Published on: September 12, 2011
Corpus callosum morphology and microstructure assessed using structural MR imaging and diffusion tensor imaging:
E L Wignall1, P D Griffiths, N G Papadakis
1Academic Unit of Radiology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
Background And Purpose:
Imaging studies have shown that children with NF-1 have increased brain volumes compared with age-matched controls and the CCs are disproportionately large. The purpose of this study was to determine if the CC in adults with NF-1 differed from that in matched controls by using DTI and volumetric imaging.
Materials And Methods:
MR imaging with DTI was performed in 10 adults with NF-1 and in 10 age-, sex-, and handedness-matched controls by using a 3T system. Total brain volumes and the areas and central lengths of the CC were calculated, along with the radial width of callosal subdivisions, in the 2 groups.
Results:
Our results showed that the total brain volume was not significantly different between adults with NF-1 and matched controls. The length and total cross-sectional area of the CC were statistically larger in adults with NF-1 compared with controls (approximately 10% longer and 20% greater area). On DTI we found a preservation of the primary eigenvalue with increases in the minor eigenvalues at the genu.
Conclusions:
We have shown that the increased size of the CC found in children with NF-1 is also present in adults with the syndrome, whereas no difference in total brain volume was found.
