What part of the brain is affected by autism?

The boys with SPD and autism had reduced connectivity in certain areas of the brain involved in basic sensory information. However, only the boys with autism had impairment in specific parts of the brain essential for social-emotional processing. read more

Two of the neurotransmitters that appear to be affected are serotonin (which affects emotion and behavior) and glutamate (which plays a role in neuron activity). Together, these brain differences may account for autistic behaviors. Scientists continue to look for clues to the origins of autism. read more

Using an advanced form of MRI, the researchers were able to examine white matter, the "wiring" that links different areas of the brain. The boys with SPD and autism had reduced connectivity in certain areas of the brain involved in basic sensory information. read more

A newly published brain-tissue study suggests that children affected by autism have a surplus of synapses, or connections between brain cells. The excess is due to a slowdown in the normal pruning process that occurs during brain development, the researchers say. read more