DTI Evaluation of Language Tracts in Autistic Patients with and Without Language Impairment Compared to Typically Developing Children

Lidia M. Nagae¹, John Dell¹, Robert A. Zimmerman¹, Timothy P.L. Roberts¹

The superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), related to language, was evaluated using diffusion tensor imaging in autistic patients, in particular in a specific group of autistics patients with language impairment (ASD/+LI), compared to autistic patients without language impairment (ASD/-LI), and typically developing children and adolescents (TD). Mean diffusivity, along with axial diffusivity were found to be increased in ASD/+LI when compared to TD. Intermediate values were obtained in ASD/-LI. These findings might reflect reported microstructural abnormalities of the brain, thought to be related to immature white matter development.