An MRI study of the corpus callosum and cerebellum in mentally retarded autistic individuals

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 1999 Fall;11(4):470-4. doi: 10.1176/jnp.11.4.470.

Abstract

The areas of seven subregions of the corpus callosum and three subregions of the cerebellum were examined on midsagittal magnetic resonance imaging scans of 27 low-IQ autistic individuals and 17 nonautistic individuals of comparable mental age. Autistic individuals had a significantly smaller corpus callosum (most marked in the body). No significant between-group differences were found in cerebellum areas. Results demonstrate that abnormalities of the corpus callosum reported in high-functioning autistic individuals are also present in autistic individuals with mental retardation and extend previous reports showing no evidence for a selective hypoplasia of cerebellar lobules VI-VII.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Autistic Disorder*
  • Cerebellum / pathology*
  • Corpus Callosum / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male