Autism attenuates sex differences in brain structure: a combined voxel-based morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging study.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

It has been proposed that autism spectrums condition may represent a form of extreme male brain (EMB), a notion supported by psychometric, behavioral, and endocrine evidence. Yet, limited data are presently available evaluating this hypothesis in terms of neuroanatomy. Here, we investigated sex-related anatomic features in adults with AS, a "pure" form of autism not involving major developmental delay.

Materials and methods

Males and females with AS and healthy controls (n = 28 and 30, respectively) were recruited. Structural MR imaging was performed to measure overall gray and white matter volume and to assess regional effects by means of VBM. DTI was used to investigate the integrity of the main white matter tracts.

Results

Significant interac

SUBMITTER: Beacher FD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6345364 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature