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Updated: Jun 26, 2025
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Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Published on: September 12, 2011
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Reduced lateralization of multiple functional brain networks in autistic males
Madeline Peterson1, Molly B D Prigge2,3, Dorothea L Floris4,5
1Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 1070 KMBL, 84602, USA.
Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
|May 9, 2024
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder is associated with altered brain lateralization, particularly in language networks. Findings reveal less asymmetry in autistic males across language, salience, and control networks, linked to language delays.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Autism Research
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by brain organizational and developmental deviations.
- Hemispheric lateralization differences are a key area of investigation in ASD.
- These lateralization differences may be confined to language regions or more widespread.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate brain hemispheric lateralization in autism using individual functional neuroanatomy.
- To explore the relationship between language network lateralization and behavioral phenotypes in ASD.
- To test hypotheses regarding localized versus pervasive lateralization differences in autism.
Main Methods:
- Utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on 118 participants (48 autistic, 70 neurotypical).
- Generated individual network parcellations and estimated network asymmetries via a surface area-based approach.
- Employed multiple regressions to compare network asymmetries across eight lateralized networks between groups.
Main Results:
- Found significant group differences in lateralization for Language, Salience/Ventral Attention-A, and Control-B networks.
- Observed less asymmetry in autistic males compared to neurotypical individuals across these networks.
- Language delay was associated with greater differences in language lateralization in autistic males.
Conclusions:
- Autism involves a complex pattern of functional lateralization differences, not limited to the language network.
- Findings suggest selective divergence in lateralization rather than pervasive differences across all networks.
- Language network lateralization is associated with language delay in autistic males.
Keywords:
ASDAsymmetryAutismAutism spectrum disorderBrain networksLateralizationNetwork lateralizationNeurodevelopmental conditionsNeuroimagingfMRIMore Related Videos
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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.
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01:28Lateralization
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Brain lateralization refers to the division of mental processes and functions between the two hemispheres of the brain, a phenomenon that optimizes neural efficiency and underpins complex abilities in humans. This specialization allows each hemisphere to perform tasks where it has a comparative advantage, facilitating more refined cognitive capabilities across different domains.
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