Morphometric analysis of Corpus Callosum in autistic and typically developing Indian children.

This brain imaging study looked at a structure called the corpus callosum in children with autism compared to typical children. The corpus callosum connects the left and right sides of the brain. Researchers found that children with autism had smaller measurements in this brain area. Importantly, this study included many children with more significant support needs, which hasn't been done much before. The size differences weren't related to autism severity or IQ levels.

This neuroimaging study examined corpus callosum (CC) morphometry in 62 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 17 typically developing children in an Indian population using 3T MRI. The corpus callosum is the brain's largest white matter structure connecting the hemispheres. Results showed that children with ASD had significantly reduced CC length, height, and genu width compared to typically developing peers. Notably, this study included 56 low-functioning children with ASD, representing a more inclusive sample than previous research.

CC measurements did not differ based on autism severity, verbal IQ, or full-scale IQ within the ASD group. The findings suggest atypical interhemispheric connectivity in autism and contribute to understanding neuroanatomical differences across the autism spectrum.

Findings support the presence of neuroanatomical differences in autism across functioning levels. This may inform understanding of interhemispheric communication challenges in autism. The inclusion of low-functioning individuals suggests that structural brain differences are not limited to high-functioning autism, potentially informing more inclusive research approaches and clinical assessments.

Small control group (n=17) compared to ASD group (n=62). Cross-sectional design prevents understanding of developmental trajectories. Limited to structural measures without functional connectivity data. Single-site study may limit generalizability beyond Indian population.

Corpus callosum (CC) is the largest commissural white matter bundle in the brain, responsible for the integration of information between hemispheres. Reduction in the size of the CC structure has been predominantly reported in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to typically developing children (TD). However, most of these studies are based on high-functioning individuals with ASD but not on an inclusive sample of individuals with ASD with varying abilities. Our current study aimed to examine the CC morphometry between children with ASD and TD in the Indian population.

We also compared CC morphometry in autistic children with autism severity, verbal IQ (VIQ) and full-scale IQ (FSIQ). T1-weighted structural images were acquired using a 3T MRI scanner to examine the CC measures in 62 ASD and 17 TD children. The length and height of the CC and the width of genu were decreased in children with ASD compared to TD. There was no significant difference in CC measures based on autism severity, VIQ or FSIQ among children with ASD.

To our knowledge, this is the first neuroimaging study to include a significant number (n = 56) of low-functioning ASD children. Our findings suggest the atypical interhemispheric connectivity of CC in ASD.