Figure 3

The graph illustrate regional differences of neuron volume and neuron volume deficit in autism. Upper graph shows the range of the mean volume of neuronal soma in 16 examined brain structures from the largest Purkinje cells (PC) to the smallest neurons in the nucleus accumbens (Ac) in from 4- to 8-year old control subjects. In 14 examined structures, the neuronal soma volume was significantly less (p < 0.05) than in age-matched control subjects, but the volume deficit (control, 100%) varied in examined regions and ranged from mild (< 10%), moderate (11–20%), severe (21–30%) to very severe (> 30%). Whiskers, SE. Symbols: Purkinje cells (Pc), substantia nigra (SN), magnocellular basal complex (MC), dentate nucleus (DN), globus pallidus (GP), magnocellular LGB (mL), thalamus (Th), Ammons horn (AH), amygdala (Am), parvocellular LGB (pL), entorhinal cortex (EC), claustrum (Cl), caudate nucleus (CN), and nucleus accumbens (Ac). The deficit in the putamen (Pu) and in the inferior olive (IO) was not significant.