Toward an Integrated Structural-Functional Characterization of the Posterior Superior Temporal Sulcus Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Mariana Lazar¹, Laura Miles¹, Jeffrey Donaldson¹

We present a multimodal imaging approach for characterizing the macrostructure, microstructure, and anatomical and functional connectivity of the Posterior Superior Temporal Sulcus (PSTS) in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Anatomical, Resting-State Functional MRI, and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging data were acquired in young adults with ASD and comparison typically developing subjects. We report for the first time decreased PSTS microstructural organization in ASD. This decreased microstructural organization correlates negatively with increased cortical thickness. Decreased anatomical and functional connectivity of the PSTS with the prefrontal cortex is also observed in the same ASD population.