Autism spectrum disorders: Neuroimaging findings from systematic reviews

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a cluster of neurodevelopmental conditions associated with core deficits in social communication, social interaction, and restricted and repetitive behaviours. Current evidence suggests a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors that underlie the heterogeneity of neuroanatomy and clinical symptomatology of ASD across a spectrum. Although abnormalities in brain structure and function have been implicated in the neurodevelopmental trajectory of ASD, the search for definitive neuroimaging markers remains obscured by inconsistent or incompatible findings. Specifically, discrepancies between independent studies impede reliable identificatio..