TY - JOUR
T1 - Visuospatial processing and the function of prefrontal-parietal networks in autism spectrum disorders
T2 - A functional MRI study
AU - Silk, Timothy J.
AU - Rinehart, Nicole
AU - Bradshaw, John L.
AU - Tonge, Bruce
AU - Egan, Gary
AU - O'Boyle, Michael W.
AU - Cunnington, Ross
PY - 2006/8
Y1 - 2006/8
N2 - Objective: Individuals with autism spectrum disorders typically have normal visuospatial abilities but impaired executive functioning, particularly in abilities related to working memory and attention. The aim of this study was to elucidate the functioning of frontoparietal networks underlying spatial working memory processes during mental rotation in persons with autism spectrum disorders. Method: Seven adolescent males with normal IQ with an autism spectrum disorder and nine age- and IQ-matched male comparison subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scans while performing a mental rotation task. Results: The autism spectrum disorders group showed less activation in lateral and medial premotor cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus, and caudate nucleus. Conclusions: The finding of less activation in prefrontal regions but not in parietal regions supports a model of dysfunction of frontostriatal networks in autism spectrum disorders.
AB - Objective: Individuals with autism spectrum disorders typically have normal visuospatial abilities but impaired executive functioning, particularly in abilities related to working memory and attention. The aim of this study was to elucidate the functioning of frontoparietal networks underlying spatial working memory processes during mental rotation in persons with autism spectrum disorders. Method: Seven adolescent males with normal IQ with an autism spectrum disorder and nine age- and IQ-matched male comparison subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scans while performing a mental rotation task. Results: The autism spectrum disorders group showed less activation in lateral and medial premotor cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus, and caudate nucleus. Conclusions: The finding of less activation in prefrontal regions but not in parietal regions supports a model of dysfunction of frontostriatal networks in autism spectrum disorders.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85047695687&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1176/ajp.2006.163.8.1440
DO - 10.1176/ajp.2006.163.8.1440
M3 - Article
C2 - 16877661
AN - SCOPUS:85047695687
VL - 163
SP - 1440
EP - 1443
JO - American Journal of Psychiatry
JF - American Journal of Psychiatry
SN - 0002-953X
IS - 8
ER -