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Autism and unfavorable left-right asymmetries of the brain

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Abstract

Utilizing computerized brain tomography, left-right morphologic asymmetries of the parietooccipital region were judged in 16 autistic patients, 44 mentally retarded patients, and 100 miscellaneous neurological patients. In 57% of the autistic patients the right parietooccipital region was wider than the left, while this pattern of cerebral asymmetry was found in only 23% of the mentally retarded patients and 25% of the neurological patients. It is suggested that unfavorable morphologic asymmetries of the brain near the posterior language zone may contribute to the difficulties autistic children experience in acquiring language.

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Hier, D.B., LeMay, M. & Rosenberger, P.B. Autism and unfavorable left-right asymmetries of the brain. J Autism Dev Disord 9, 153–159 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01531531

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01531531

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