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Updated: Mar 13, 2026
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Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Published on: September 12, 2011
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Anterior cingulate folding pattern is altered in autism spectrum disorder
Ethan H Willbrand1,2,3, Enrique Martinez4, Jacob J Ludwig1
1School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Health Sciences Learning Center, 750 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705, United States.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|March 11, 2026
Summary
Neuroimaging reveals differences in brain folding patterns in males with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Neurotypical individuals showed more asymmetrical paracingulate sulcus patterns, suggesting variations in early brain development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Background:
- Focal differences in the cerebral cortex, specifically sulcal patterns, are observed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays a crucial role in social cognition and executive functions, areas often affected in ASD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sulcal patterning and morphology of the ACC, specifically the paracingulate sulcus (PCGS), in male individuals with ASD compared to neurotypical (NT) controls.
- To determine if PCGS asymmetry or quantitative morphological features differ between ASD and NT groups.
Main Methods:
- Utilized neuroimaging data from 200 male participants (100 ASD, 100 NT, ages 5-18), divided into discovery and replication samples.
- Manually identified the PCGS, a key ACC sulcal feature, and extracted quantitative morphological data (length, depth, cortical thickness) using FreeSurfer.
- Performed statistical analyses controlling for age, IQ, and scanner site to compare PCGS patterns and morphology between ASD and NT groups.
Main Results:
- Neurotypical participants demonstrated a significantly higher likelihood of asymmetrical PCGS patterns compared to ASD participants in both discovery and replication samples.
- No significant differences were found in quantitative morphological features (length, depth, cortical thickness) of the PCGS between the ASD and NT groups.
- These findings were consistent across both independent samples, strengthening their reliability.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests a potential variation in the prenatal neurodevelopment of the ACC in young males with ASD, indicated by altered PCGS patterning.
- While PCGS asymmetry may represent a trait marker across neurodevelopmental disorders, its specific role in ASD pathogenesis requires further investigation.
- This research contributes to understanding neuroanatomical differences in ASD and highlights the potential of PCGS variations as a biomarker.
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