Autism. Brain areas implicated in the three core deficits characteristic of autism: impaired social interaction, impaired language and communication, and severely restricted interests with repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. Areas implicated in social deficits include the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and the amygdala (A). Cortex bordering the superior temporal sulcus (STS) has been implicated in mediating the perception that a living thing is moving and gaze perception. Face processing involves a region of the inferior temporal cortex within the fusiform gyrus (FG). Comprehension and expression of language involve a number of regions including the inferior frontal region, the striatum, and subcortical areas such as the pontine nuclei (PN). The striatum has also been implicated in the mediation of repetitive behaviors. A number of imaging and postmortem studies have indicated that the cerebellum may also be pathological in autism.
Create a Free MyAccess Profile
AccessMedicine Network is the place to keep up on new releases for the Access products, get short form didactic content, read up on practice impacting highlights, and watch video featuring authors of your favorite books in medicine. Create a MyAccess profile and follow our contributors to stay informed via email updates.