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No evidence for preferential involvement of medial temporal lobe structures in high-functioning autism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 March 2006

SASKIA J. M. C. PALMEN ,
SARAH DURSTON ,
HILDE NEDERVEEN  and
HERMAN VAN ENGELAND
SASKIA J. M. C. PALMEN
Affiliation:
Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
SARAH DURSTON
Affiliation:
Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
HILDE NEDERVEEN
Affiliation:
Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
HERMAN VAN ENGELAND
Affiliation:
Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract

Background. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with slight increases in brain volume. There has been some suggestion that medial temporal lobe structures may be preferentially involved in this disorder, although results have not always been consistent. Here, we investigate amygdala and hippocampus volumes in medication-naive subjects with high-functioning autism.

Method. Whole-brain magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired from 42 patients and 42 closely matched, healthy control subjects.

Results. Amygdala volume did not differ significantly between patients and controls. A significant increase in hippocampal volume was proportional to an increase in overall brain volume.

Conclusions. These results argue against preferential involvement of medial temporal lobe structures in autism, at least in high-functioning medication-naive individuals.

Type
Original Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 36 , Issue 6 , June 2006 , pp. 827 - 834
Copyright
© 2006 Cambridge University Press

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