Neuroanatomy of Autism Reading Guide

Amaral et al. 2008, Neuroanatomy of autism Guide

Amaral, D. G., Schumann, C. M., & Nordahl, C. W. (2008). Neuroanatomy of autism. Trends in 

Neuroscience, 31(3), 137-145.

The purpose of this article is to add to review research that has explored how the anatomy or structure of the brains of individuals with ASD may differ from individuals who do not have ASD. Many regions of the brain that are important in terms of social interaction, communication, and routines and repetitive behavior have been studied. 

Why is the focus of this article important?      

• The focus of this article is that there could be research in the future to conclusively show as autistic brain verses a typical allistic brain which is important because it would help autistics understand their neural makeup more thoroughly.

What are two common ways that researchers study the brains of individuals with ASD?

1.  Structural magnetic resonance imaging    

2.  Measuring head circumference    

One of the most important and replicated findings in this review is the identification of differences in the total brain volume of children with ASD. Be able to identify if this overgrowth is mostly gray or white matter (refer to Figure 2). 

• A normal brain has equal branches.

• Overgrowth of gray matter has more growth on the outside of the brain.

• An overgrowth of white matter is the opposite.    

What might be the reason for this overgrowth?      

• Autistic minds have more difficulty pruning extra brain connections

Is this something that children with ASD are born with? If not, what happens after birth to result in this increased volume?

• This is something that children with ASD are born with and it becomes for apparent with age.     

Some studies have found differences in the cerebellum of individuals with ASD. What is the purpose of the cerebellum and how might differences in that brain structure contribute to behavior differences observed in individuals with ASD?      

• The cerebellum receives information from the sensory system and the spinal cord and other parts of the brain and regulates our basic motor movements, this might affect those with ASD differently since they tend to be more sensitive to their sensory input. 

Some studies have found differences in the amygdala of individuals with ASD. What is the purpose of the amygdala and how might differences in that brain structure contribute to behavior differences observed in individuals with ASD?      

• The amygdala is thought to be really important in terms of kind of emotions, survival instincts and memory, and is strongly linked to our limbic system. A difference in this section of the brain would explain why those with autism experience different ways of thinking when it comes to emotions and why they struggle with change in routine.

What is your take-away message from this article?      

• Though the studies are inconclusive, we may be on our way to a reality where autism diagnoses could be made by studying the brain of the individual in question.