Morphometric analysis of language-related cortex and its association with cognitive and verbal abilities in Indian children with autism and controls

Background: and aim Research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has highlighted abnormal asymmetry patterns in brain regions associated with language. Despite the rising prevalence of ASD in India, there is a dearth of neurobiological studies within the Indian population. This investigation explores morphometric differences and asymmetry patterns in language-related brain regions among Indian children with ASD and typically developing (TD) children, examining their correlation with cognitive abilities. Methods: and Procedures Utilizing T1-weighted volumetric images from a 3T MRI scanner, we measured cortical volume (CV) and cortical thickness (CT) in 61 ASD and 17 TD children. Outcomes and Results Children with ASD displayed smaller cortical measures in bilateral insula (Ins) and planum polare (PP). Furthermore, ASD children displayed decreased leftward CV asymmetry in superior temporal gyrus (STG), reversed CV asymmetry in pars triangularis (Ptri) and Ins, and absence of CV asymmetry in PP compared to TD children. Additionally, increased rightward CT asymmetry in STG, decreased rightward CT asymmetry in supramarginal gyrus, and reversed CT asymmetry in Ptri and angular gyrus compared to TD children. No significant associations were found between these brain regions, their asymmetry, and VIQ, FSIQ, or autism severity. Conclusions: These findings shed light on atypical language area development in Indian children with ASD.