Transcript

Orbitofrontal cortex
The orbitofrontal cortex is involved in decision making, an ability that is fundamental to effective social interactions. Differences in orbitofrontal processing may be linked to the social impairments and repetitive behaviour seen in autism.

Cingulate gyrus and anterior cingulate cortex

The cingulate gyrus is part of the limbic system. It coordinates sensory input with emotions and is involved in regulating attention. Autism is associated with unusual patterns of switching of attention.
The anterior cingulate cortex, part of the cingulate gyrus is linked to several functions that underlie effective social interactions. Differences in anterior cingulate processing could be linked to the social impairments and repetitive behaviour seen in autism.

Fusiform gyrus

The fusiform gyrus is a key contributor to visual perception and is particularly linked to the processing of face images. Differences in the ways that faces are processed may contribute to the social interaction impairments seen in autism
Superior temporal sulcus
The superior temporal sulcus is associated with observation of the actions of others, a skill that is required for effective social interaction and communication. Differences in processing in the superior temporal sulcus could contribute to the social and communicative impairments seen in autism

Amygdala
The amygdala is part of the limbic system. It governs the emotional response to stimuli. The ability to decode emotion is central to social interactions. Differences in amygdala function could lead to the differences in emotional processing seen in autism.

Inferior frontal gyrus
The Inferior frontal gyrus is central to the production of language and has frequently been associated with developmental disorders with a language component, including autism. Social interactions and communication are of course mediated by language.

Posterior parietal cortex
The posterior parietal cortex appears to have many functions centred on spatial awareness but including attention. Differences in posterior parietal processing could underlie the particular abilities of some people with autism to carry out some visual tasks and contribute to different patterns of social interaction.

Supplementary motor area
The supplementary motor area and the cerebellum are both involved in coordinating skilled motor activity. A different pattern of producing skilled movements could contribute to the communication difficulties seen in autism.

Basal ganglia (and substantia nigra)
The basal ganglia, which include the substantia nigra, are associated with control of muscle activity, learning and the selection of actions. It is thought that the repetitive activity and communication difficulties found in autism may be associated with deficits in action selection.

Thalamus
The thalamus is part of the limbic system. It acts as the brain’s relay station, processing stimuli and passing them on to cortical structures, as well as influencing attention and arousal. Differences in the processing in the thalamus could lead to differences in patterns of communication and could underlie repetitive behaviours. Both are associated with the impairments seen in autism.

Pontine nuclei
The pontine nuclei store intended motor activity and are associated with patterns of gazing. They may be implicated in the communication characteristics associated with autism.

Cerebellum
The cerebellum has been associated with coordination and motor control and is thought to influence attention and the processing of sensory stimuli. Cerebellar differences could feed into the communication differences seen in autism.