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Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research

Stereological study of the neuronal number and volume of 38 brain subdivisions of subjects diagnosed with autism reveals significant alterations restricted to the striatum, amygdala and cerebellum

Authors: Jerzy Wegiel, Michael Flory, Izabela Kuchna, Krzysztof Nowicki, Shuang Yong Ma, Humi Imaki, Jarek Wegiel, Ira L Cohen, Eric London, Thomas Wisniewski, William Ted Brown

Published in: Acta Neuropathologica Communications | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Introduction

A total of 38 brain cytoarchitectonic subdivisions, representing subcortical and cortical structures, cerebellum, and brainstem, were examined in 4- to 60-year-old subjects diagnosed with autism and control subjects (a) to detect a global pattern of developmental abnormalities and (b) to establish whether the function of developmentally modified structures matches the behavioral alterations that are diagnostic for autism. The volume of cytoarchitectonic subdivisions, neuronal numerical density, and total number of neurons per region of interest were determined in 14 subjects with autism and 14 age-matched controls by using unbiased stereological methods.

Results

The study revealed that significant differences between the group of subjects with autism and control groups are limited to a few brain regions, including the cerebellum and some striatum and amygdala subdivisions. In the group of individuals with autism, the total number and numerical density of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum were reduced by 25% and 24%, respectively. In the amygdala, significant reduction of neuronal density was limited to the lateral nucleus (by 12%). Another sign of the topographic selectivity of developmental alterations in the brain of individuals with autism was an increase in the volumes of the caudate nucleus and nucleus accumbens by 22% and 34%, respectively, and the reduced numerical density of neurons in the nucleus accumbens and putamen by 15% and 13%, respectively.

Conclusions

The observed pattern of developmental alterations in the cerebellum, amygdala and striatum is consistent with the results of magnetic resonance imaging studies and their clinical correlations, and of some morphometric studies that indicate that detected abnormalities may contribute to the social and communication deficits, and repetitive and stereotypical behaviors observed in individuals with autism.

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Title: Stereological study of the neuronal number and volume of 38 brain subdivisions of subjects diagnosed with autism reveals significant alterations restricted to the striatum, amygdala and cerebellum
Authors: Jerzy Wegiel
Michael Flory
Izabela Kuchna
Krzysztof Nowicki
Shuang Yong Ma
Humi Imaki
Jarek Wegiel
Ira L Cohen
Eric London
Thomas Wisniewski
William Ted Brown
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Acta Neuropathologica Communications / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 2051-5960
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40478-014-0141-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Stereological study of the neuronal number and volume of 38 brain subdivisions of subjects diagnosed with autism reveals significant alterations restricted to the striatum, amygdala and cerebellum

Abstract

Introduction

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Results

Conclusions

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Intracellular Aβ pathology and early cognitive impairments in a transgenic rat overexpressing human amyloid precursor protein: a multidimensional study

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