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Abstract #3133

Toward an Integrated Structural-Functional Characterization of the Posterior Superior Temporal Sulcus Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Mariana Lazar1, Laura Miles1, Jeffrey Donaldson1

1Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, United States

We present a multimodal imaging approach for characterizing the macrostructure, microstructure, and anatomical and functional connectivity of the Posterior Superior Temporal Sulcus (PSTS) in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Anatomical, Resting-State Functional MRI, and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging data were acquired in young adults with ASD and comparison typically developing subjects. We report for the first time decreased PSTS microstructural organization in ASD. This decreased microstructural organization correlates negatively with increased cortical thickness. Decreased anatomical and functional connectivity of the PSTS with the prefrontal cortex is also observed in the same ASD population.

Keywords

abnormalities abstract adults agreement analyses anatomical applied artifacts atlas atypical autism autistic axial bandpass behavioral better brain characterization characterize characterized child close cognitive collected communication compensatory completing complex complexity connecting connections connectivity construct correction correlates correlation cortex cortical cortices decreased deficits developing developmental diagnosis diffusion diffusional diffusivity discarded disorders dorsal employ evidence exhibits filtering formalism framework front function functional functioning fusiform generated hemisphere hypotheses impaired implicated importance importantly included input integrated involved kernel kurtosis language laura locus longitudinal macro maps measures mechanisms medicine middle miles motion negative nucleus occipital organization package packages parietal part pathological patterns pipeline placed poorly posterior preprocessing primary processed processing properties proposed psychiatry radial radiology registering regression relevant rely report representing resting school seeds segmented sets several significantly slice smoothing social software spectrum structural subgroups subject subjects suggest suggests superior table temporal thalamus timing tissue toward tracts typically underlines understood versus white wide year young