Abstract
Computed tomographic (CT) scans of the brain were obtained in 10 autistic children ages 4 through 10, and compared with 10 age-matched normal controls. The diagnosis of autism was made by two independent doctors and The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) was administered. The scores in the autistic children were between 31-49 (moderately to severity autistic), and IQ's were under 50. All 20 children had normal sized lateral ventricles, but in 4 pairs, the autistic child's ventricles were larger. The third and fourth ventricles were not significantly different, or abnormal in any pair. Cortical sulci were abnormally prominent in one autistic child, and larger than those of the normal control in 2 additional pairs. Unusual asymmetries were seen only in one normal control. These findings suggest an organic basis for at least some cases of infantile autism. It is possible that a group, of autistic children have developmental brain abnormalities. To differentiate this group from other types of autism, CT studies will need to be done in autistic children.
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Hotson, G., Castells, S., Fusi, M. et al. 1680 CRANIAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN AUTISM. Pediatr Res 19, 390 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01704
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01704