National Research Council Canada; NRC Institute for Biodiagnostics

English

Article

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

2011

13-22

17649092

Autism Disorder (AD); Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); Embedded Figures Task (EFT); Hidden Figures Task (HFT); Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

MR Research and Development; Recherche et dévelopment de RM

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during performance of a hidden figures task (HFT) was used to compare differences in brain function in children diagnosed with autism disorder (AD) compared to children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and typical controls (TC). Overall greater functional MRI activity was observed in the two control groups compared to children with AD. Laterality differences were also evident, with AD subjects preferentially showing activity in the right medial temporal region while controls tended to activate the left medial temporal cortex. Reduced fMRI activity was observed in the parietal, ventral-temporal and hippocampal regions in the AD group, suggesting differences in the way that children with AD process the HFT.