BOSTON, Oct 11, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Massachusetts General Hospital researchers in Boston have found an anatomic feature might underlie language difficulty in some people suffering autism.

The study examined 16 boys with autism, six of whom had normal language development; 9 boys with specific language impairment (SLI); and 11 without any developmental disabilities. Only boys participated since autism predominantly affects males. The boys, ages 6 through 13, were all right-handed.

Detailed magnetic resonance imaging studies were taken of the participants' brains. The images showed the reversal of the normal left/right asymmetry of language-associated brain structures -- the Broca's area -- was strongly associated with language impairment, but not necessarily with autism. In both the participants with SLI and the autistic boys with language problems, the Broca's area in most right-handed individuals, was larger on the right side.

The right side was largest in those with the most serious impairments. In the autistic boys with normal language development, Broca's area was larger on the left, as was seen in normal controls.

The findings are published in the Annals of Neurology.

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