Abstract / Description of output
In this study we report a convergence of behavioural and neuroanatomical evidence in support of an amygdala hypothesis of autism. We find that people with high-functioning autism (HFA) show neuropsychological profiles characteristic of the effects of amygdala damage, in particular selective impairment in the recognition of facial expressions of fear, perception of eye-gaze direction, and recognition memory for faces. Using quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) image analysis techniques, we find that the same individuals also show abnormalities of medial temporal lobe (MTL) brain structure, notably bilaterally enlarged amygdala volumes. These results combine to suggest that developmental malformation of the amygdala may underlie the social-cognitive impairments characteristic of HFA. This malformation may reflect incomplete neuronal pruning in early development. NeuroReport 11:2931-2935 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2931-2935 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Neuroreport |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 13 |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Sept 2000 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- amygdala
- MRI
- neuropsychology
- social perception
- stereology
- FACE PROCESSING IMPAIRMENTS
- FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
- RECOGNITION
- EMOTION
- DAMAGE
- DISORDER
- VOLUME
- BRAIN
- FEAR