Amygdala growth rate between 6 and 12 months linked to greater social deficits at 24 months when the infants were diagnosed <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
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THURSDAY, March 31, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Infants at high likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are subsequently diagnosed with ASD have significantly faster amygdala growth between 6 and 24 months of age, according to a study published online March 25 in The <\/em>American Journal of Psychiatry<\/em>.<\/p>\n Mark D. Shen, Ph.D., from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, and colleagues acquired longitudinal magnetic resonance images at 6 to 24 months in 29 infants with fragile X syndrome, 58 with a high likelihood for ASD who were subsequently diagnosed with ASD, 212 high-likelihood infants who were not diagnosed with ASD, and 109 controls (total of 1,099 scans).<\/p>\n The researchers found that at 6 months, infants who developed ASD had typically sized amygdala volumes, but amygdala growth was significantly faster between 6 and 24 months, such that amygdala volume was significantly larger than that of all other groups by 12 months. There was a significant association for amygdala growth rate between 6 and 12 months with greater social deficits at 24 months when the infants were diagnosed with ASD. Compared with other groups, infants with fragile X syndrome had a persistent and significantly enlarged caudate volume at all ages between 6 and 24 months, which was associated significantly with greater repetitive behaviors.<\/p>\n “Our research suggests an optimal time to start interventions and support children who are at highest likelihood of developing autism may be during the first year of life,” a coauthor said in a statement.<\/p>\n One author disclosed financial ties to the medical device industry.<\/p>\n