Morphometric analysis of Corpus Callosum in autistic and typically developing Indian children.

Corpus callosum (CC) is the largest commissural white matter bundle in the brain, responsible for the integration of information between hemispheres. Reduction in the size of the CC structure has been predominantly reported in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to typically developing children (TD). However, most of these studies are based on high-functioning individuals with ASD but not on an inclusive sample of individuals with ASD with varying abilities. Our current study aimed to examine the CC morphometry between children with ASD and TD in the Indian population. We also compared CC morphometry in autistic children with autism severity, verbal IQ (VIQ) and full-scale IQ (FSIQ). T1-weighted structural images were acquired using a 3T MRI scanner to examine the CC measures in 62 ASD and 17 TD children. The length and height of the CC and the width of genu were decreased in children with ASD compared to TD. There was no significant difference in CC measures based on autism severity, VIQ or FSIQ among children with ASD. To our knowledge, this is the first neuroimaging study to include a significant number (n = 56) of low-functioning ASD children. Our findings suggest the atypical interhemispheric connectivity of CC in ASD.

Comparison of dysphonia severity index between younger and older carnatic classical singers and nonsingers.

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to compare dysphonia severity index (DSI) and its parameters between Carnatic classical singers and nonsingers. The second objective was to investigate the effect of age on DSI and its parameters in both singers and nonsingers. STUDY DESIGN: This study included 30 female Carnatic classical singers who were subdivided into two groups based on their age: 15 younger singers and 15 older singers. These 30 singers were compared with 30 age and gender matched nonsingers. METHODS: From each participant, measures of highest phonational frequency, lowest intensity, jitter, and maximum phonation time were obtained. Using these, DSI values were calculated. RESULTS: Singers had significantly greater highest phonational frequency, longer maximum phonation time, and higher DSI values. When compared with the younger participants, older participants had significantly reduced highest phonational frequency, maximum phonation time, and DSI values. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that DSI values vary between Carnatic classical singers and nonsingers, and hence separate normative data may need to be established for this group of singers for clinical comparison purposes.