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Autism Spectrum Disorder: Does Neuroimaging Support the DSM-5 Proposal for a Symptom Dyad? A Systematic Review of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Diffusion Tensor Imaging Studies

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Abstract

A systematic review of 208 studies comprising functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging data in patients with ‘autism spectrum disorder’ (ASD) was conducted, in order to determine whether these data support the forthcoming DSM-5 proposal of a social communication and behavioral symptom dyad. Studies consistently reported abnormal function and structure of fronto-temporal and limbic networks with social and pragmatic language deficits, of temporo-parieto-occipital networks with syntactic–semantic language deficits, and of fronto-striato-cerebellar networks with repetitive behaviors and restricted interests in ASD patients. Therefore, this review partially supports the DSM-5 proposal for the ASD dyad.

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Acknowledgments

Supported by Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. Laura Pina-Camacho has received a grant from Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.

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Pina-Camacho, L., Villero, S., Fraguas, D. et al. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Does Neuroimaging Support the DSM-5 Proposal for a Symptom Dyad? A Systematic Review of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Diffusion Tensor Imaging Studies. J Autism Dev Disord 42, 1326–1341 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1360-4

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