Mapping of cortical fold depths. In green: sulcal pits (the deepest point of each fold). In red: localization of the abnormality detected in autistic children (in Broca’s area). Credit: © SCALP team / INT
Scientists have identified a cerebral marker specific to autism that can be detected by MRI present from 2 yo. The abnormality consists in a less deep fold in Broca’s area, a region of the brain specialized in language and communication, functions that are impaired in autistic patients. This discovery may assist in the earlier diagnosis and management of these patients. It has been made possible by the medical imaging processing skills of the Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone (CNRS/Aix-Marseille Université) and access to a homogeneous cohort of patients diagnosed at a very young age and all assessed using the same protocol at the Centre de Ressources Autisme PACA.
The autistic spectrum covers a range of neuro-developmental disorders (typical autism, Asperger’s syndrome or pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified) which mainly affect social relationships and communication. Recent neuroimaging findings have notably suggested the existence of abnormal cortical folding (the formation of convolutions on the surface of the brain). However, standard neuro-anatomical measurement techniques had failed until now to demonstrate any markers specific to each of these disorders, and notably typical autism.
Scientists focused on a new geometric marker called the “sulcal pit.” This is the deepest point of each sulcus in the cerebral cortex, from which points all the folds on the brain’s surface develop. They are therefore put in place at a very early developmental stage, probably under genetic influences, ie they are indicators adapted to comparisons between different individuals.
Based on MRI findings, the scientists observed the sulcal pits of 102 young boys aged 2 to 10 years, placed in 3 groups (those with autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, and typically developing children). Interestingly, the highly localized atrophy was correlated with the social communication performance of children in the autistic group: the deeper the sulcal pits, the more impaired were their skills in terms of language production.
This study has also enabled a discovery concerning brain development. While it was previously thought that cortical folding was complete at birth, the scientists observed that some folds (the most superficial) continued to deepen with age and in an identical manner in both autistic and other children. Biomedical research may therefore help to improve our understanding of the mechanisms of life. http://www2.cnrs.fr/en/2677.htm
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