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Acta Neuropathologica
Published in: Acta Neuropathologica 1/2012

01-07-2012 | Original Paper

Decreased pyramidal neuron size in Brodmann areas 44 and 45 in patients with autism

Authors: Sarah Jacot-Descombes, Neha Uppal, Bridget Wicinski, Micaela Santos, James Schmeidler, Panteleimon Giannakopoulos, Helmut Heinsein, Christoph Schmitz, Patrick R. Hof

Published in: Acta Neuropathologica | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction and social communication, as well as by the presence of repetitive and stereotyped behaviors and interests. Brodmann areas 44 and 45 in the inferior frontal cortex, which are involved in language processing, imitation function, and sociality processing networks, have been implicated in this complex disorder. Using a stereologic approach, this study aims to explore the presence of neuropathological differences in areas 44 and 45 in patients with autism compared to age- and hemisphere-matched controls. Based on previous evidence in the fusiform gyrus, we expected to find a decrease in the number and size of pyramidal neurons as well as an increase in volume of layers III, V, and VI in patients with autism. We observed significantly smaller pyramidal neurons in patients with autism compared to controls, although there was no difference in pyramidal neuron numbers or layer volumes. The reduced pyramidal neuron size suggests that a certain degree of dysfunction of areas 44 and 45 plays a role in the pathology of autism. Our results also support previous studies that have shown specific cellular neuropathology in autism with regionally specific reduction in neuron size, and provide further evidence for the possible involvement of the mirror neuron system, as well as impairment of neuronal networks relevant to communication and social behaviors, in this disorder.
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Metadata
Title
Decreased pyramidal neuron size in Brodmann areas 44 and 45 in patients with autism
Authors
Sarah Jacot-Descombes
Neha Uppal
Bridget Wicinski
Micaela Santos
James Schmeidler
Panteleimon Giannakopoulos
Helmut Heinsein
Christoph Schmitz
Patrick R. Hof
Publication date
01-07-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Acta Neuropathologica / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 0001-6322
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0533
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-012-0976-6

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