Rightward hemispheric asymmetries in auditory language cortex in children with autistic disorder: An MRI investigation

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Abstract

Purpose: determine if language disorder in children with autistic disorder (AD) corresponds to abnormalities in hemispheric asymmetries in auditory language cortex. Methods: MRI morphometric study in children with AD (n=50) to assess hemispheric asymmetries in auditory language cortex. A key region of interest was the planum temporale (PT), which is larger in the left hemisphere in most healthy individuals. Results: (i) Heschl's gyrus and planum polare showed typical hemisphere asymmetry patterns; (ii) posterior Superior Temporal Gyrus (pSTG) showed significant rightward asymmetry; and (iii) PT showed a trend for rightward asymmetry that was significant when constrained to right-handed boys (n=30). For right-handed boys, symmetry indices for pSTG were significantly positively correlated with those for PT. PT asymmetry was age dependent, with greater rightward asymmetry with age. Conclusions: results provide evidence for rightward asymmetry in auditory association areas (pSTG and PT) known to subserve language processing. Cumulatively, our data provide evidence for a differing maturational path for PT for lower functioning children with AD, with both pre-and post-natal experience likely playing a role in PT asymmetry.

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Gage, N. M., Juranek, J., Filipek, P. A., Osann, K., Flodman, P., Isenberg, A. L., & Spence, M. A. (2009). Rightward hemispheric asymmetries in auditory language cortex in children with autistic disorder: An MRI investigation. Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 1(3), 205–214. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11689-009-9010-2

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