von Economo neurons in autism: A stereologic study of the frontoinsular cortex in children

• Published in: Brain research Vol. 1380; pp. 206 - 217
• Main Authors: Santos, Micaela, Uppal, Neha, Butti, Camilla, Wicinski, Bridget, Schmeidler, James, Giannakopoulos, Panteleimon, Heinsen, Helmut, Schmitz, Christoph, Hof, Patrick R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 22.03.2011
• Subjects: abnormalities; Adolescent; apoptosis; Autism; Autistic Disorder; Autistic Disorder - pathology; Autistic Disorder - physiopathology; brain; Cell Count; Cell Count - methods; Cell Shape; Cell Shape - physiology; Cerebral Cortex; Cerebral Cortex - abnormalities; Cerebral Cortex - pathology; Cerebral Cortex - physiopathology; Child; Child, Preschool; children; classification; cognition; cortex; Female; Frontal Lobe; Frontal Lobe - abnormalities; Frontal Lobe - pathology; Frontal Lobe - physiopathology; Frontoinsular cortex; Humans; Male; methods; Neurology; neurons; Neurons - classification; Neurons - pathology; Neuropathology; pathology; patients; physiology; physiopathology; Pyramidal Cells; Pyramidal Cells - pathology; Stereology; von Economo neurons; Autism; Stereology; Frontoinsular cortex; Neuropathology; von Economo neurons

The presence of von Economo neurons (VENs) in the frontoinsular cortex (FI) has been linked to a possible role in the integration of bodily feelings, emotional regulation, and goal-directed behaviors. They have also been implicated in fast intuitive evaluation of complex social situations. Several s...