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Cerebellum, Language, and Cognition in Autism and Specific Language Impairment

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Abstract

We performed cerebellum segmentation and parcellation on magnetic resonance images from right-handed boys, aged 6–13 years, including 22 boys with autism [16 with language impairment (ALI)], 9 boys with Specific Language Impairment (SLI), and 11 normal controls. Language-impaired groups had reversed asymmetry relative to unimpaired groups in posterior-lateral cerebellar lobule VIIIA (right side larger in unimpaired groups, left side larger in ALI and SLI), contralateral to previous findings in inferior frontal cortex language areas. Lobule VIIA Crus I was smaller in SLI than in ALI. Vermis volume, particularly anterior I–V, was decreased in language-impaired groups. Language performance test scores correlated with lobule VIIIA asymmetry and with anterior vermis volume. These findings suggest ALI and SLI subjects show abnormalities in neurodevelopment of fronto-corticocerebellar circuits that manage motor control and the processing of language, cognition, working memory, and attention.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by a grant from NIDCD to Drs. Tager-Flusberg and Harris, U19/PO1 DC 03610, which is part of the NICHD/NIDCD funded Collaborative Programs of Excellence in Autism; a grant from the NIMH to Dr. Jean Frazier, K08 MH01573; and by a Young Investigator Award funded by NARSAD and a grant from ALSA to Dr. Nikos Makris. The authors also thank Trinity Urban and Joyce Miller for proofreading comments on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Morphometric Analysis, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Steven M. Hodge, Nikos Makris, David N. Kennedy, Verne S. Caviness Jr. & James Howard

  2. Radiology Computer Aided Diagnostics Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, 25 New Chardon St. Suite 400C, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Steven M. Hodge & Gordon J. Harris

  3. Lab of Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Lauren McGrath, Shelly Steele & Helen Tager-Flusberg

  4. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Jean A. Frazier

  5. Center for Child and Adolescent Development, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Jean A. Frazier

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  1. Steven M. Hodge
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  2. Nikos Makris
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gordon J. Harris.

Appendix

Appendix

Author Names and Affiliations at the Time of the Study

Steven M. Hodge: Radiology Computer Aided Diagnostics Laboratory and Center for Morphometric Analysis, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA. Nikos Makris: Center for Morphometric Analysis, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA. David N. Kennedy: Center for Morphometric Analysis, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA. Verne S. Caviness, Jr.: Center for Morphometric Analysis, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA. James Howard: Center for Morphometric Analysis, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA. Lauren McGrath: Boston University School of Medicine, Lab of Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston, MA, USA. Shelly Steele: Boston University School of Medicine, Lab of Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston, MA, USA. Jean A. Frazier: Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Center for Child and Adolescent Development, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA, USA. Helen Tager-Flusberg: Boston University School of Medicine, Lab of Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston, MA, USA. Gordon J. Harris: Radiology Computer Aided Diagnostics Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

Changes in Author Affiliations Since the Study Took Place

Steven M. Hodge—none. Nikos Makris—none. David N. Kennedy—none. Verne S. Caviness, Jr.—none. James Howard—Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL,60611. Lauren McGrath—Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, 80208. Shelly Steele—Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612. Jean A. Frazier—none. Helen Tager-Flusberg—none. Gordon J. Harris—none.

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Hodge, S.M., Makris, N., Kennedy, D.N. et al. Cerebellum, Language, and Cognition in Autism and Specific Language Impairment. J Autism Dev Disord 40, 300–316 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-009-0872-7

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