New UNC study refines link between autism and brain size

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Autism researchers at UNC and elsewhere have known for years now that young children with autism tend to have slightly larger brains than children without autism. They call this phenomenon “brain overgrowth,” and think it’s something that starts happening after birth, during the first year of life.

Now this week a new UNC study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, refines that link a bit further.

In particular, the new study found that toddlers with autism are more likely to have an enlarged amygdala. That’s a part of the brain that plays a key role in recognizing faces and emotion.

The UNC study is one of the most popular stories at CNN.com today.

The study got big coverage today on CNN’s American Morning show, with a report from CNN’s medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta. CNN also published a separate story written by Danielle Dellorto on their Web site.

UNC’s Dr. Joe Piven, the senior and corresponding author of the study, explained the  findings to CNN as follows:

“We would basically try to get the child to look one way, we’d turn and point to a clock and see whether or not the child would notice it,” explained Piven. “The 2-year-olds without autism would see your face, see where you are looking and join you but the children with autism, with large amygdalas, would not.”

Other coverage so far  includes these stories in MedPage Today, Newsday, Agence France Presse and HealthDay.

Stay tuned for further updates.