Brain Differences in Relatives of Autistic People

Here's a write up from Nature highlighting two studies about similarities between the brains of autistic people and close relatives who aren't diagnosable with autism. (Via Mind Hacks--lots of good links this week)

People can have physical brain abnormalities similar to those found in autistic individuals without having the disorder themselves. These results come from two studies, which were presented at a conference over the weekend. Brain scans show striking similarities between the brains of autistic patients and those of their non-autistic parents and siblings.