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Autism Spectrum Disorder

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: Apr 16, 2026

Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Published on: September 12, 2011

Multicenter mapping of structural network alterations in autism.

Sofie L Valk¹, Adriana Di Martino, Michael P Milham

¹Department of Social Neuroscience, Max-Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.

Human Brain Mapping

|March 3, 2015

Summary

Structural MRI reveals increased cortical thickness in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study also found decreased network covariance in ASD individuals, suggesting widespread brain alterations.

Keywords:

ABIDE ASD connectivity connectome medial PFC neocortex

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Last Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

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Published on: September 12, 2011

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Modeling the Functional Network for Spatial Navigation in the Human Brain

Modeling the Functional Network for Spatial Navigation in the Human Brain

Published on: October 13, 2023

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Developmental Neuroscience
Radiology

Background:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by social cognition deficits.
Previous functional MRI studies show atypical brain activity in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and medial parietal regions (PCC/PCU) in ASD.
Structural brain anomaly research in ASD has yielded inconsistent findings.

Purpose of the Study:

To reliably detect structural brain changes in ASD using a large, multicenter dataset.
To investigate cortical thickness and structural covariance in individuals with ASD.
To explore the relationship between structural alterations and socio-cognitive functions in ASD.

Main Methods:

Utilized a comprehensive structural MRI framework including cortical thickness mapping and structural covariance analysis.
Analyzed three independent samples from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (n=220).
Employed surface-based analysis to compare individuals with ASD and controls.

Main Results:

Increased cortical thickness was observed in the mPFC and lateral prefrontal cortex in individuals with ASD compared to controls.
mPFC clusters showed decreased inter-regional covariance with PCC/PCU and inferior parietal regions in ASD.
These structural alterations were consistent across multiple sites and observed in both children and adults with ASD.

Conclusions:

ASD is associated with regional and network-level structural alterations in the mPFC.
These findings suggest that structural brain changes in ASD may underlie atypical socio-cognitive functions.
Multisite structural MRI analysis provides reliable detection of brain anomalies in ASD.