Shared neuroanatomical substrates of impaired phonological working memory across reading disability and autism.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Individuals with reading disability or individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are characterized, respectively, by their difficulties in reading or social communication, but both groups often have impaired phonological working memory (PWM). It is not known whether the impaired PWM reflects distinct or shared neuroanatomical abnormalities in these two diagnostic groups.

Methods

White-matter structural connectivity via diffusion weighted imaging was examined in sixty-four children, ages 5-17 years, with reading disability, ASD, or typical development (TD), who were matched in age, gender, intelligence, and diffusion data quality.

Results

Children with reading disability and children with ASD exhibited reduced PWM compared to children with TD. The two

SUBMITTER: Lu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4776338 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature