Figure 2.

A. Coronal, Nissl-stained 100 µm thick section through the superior temporal lobe. The black line defines the region of interest. B. Layer I of the superior temporal cortex delineated by black lines (10× magnification). C. Example of a neuron in layer I of the superior temporal lobe shown at the magnification at which stereological estimates were performed (60×). This neuron is present inside the counting frame (red and green lines). D. Nissl-staining of neurons from layer I of the superior temporal cortex (60×). 1. Neurons with distinct features that are outlined with the dashed line: radially ascending process extending toward the pia and a horizontal axon plexus. 2. Most adult neurons in layer I have a small or bursiform body. 3, 4. Some neurons have a large soma with one or two thick, long and poorly branched dendrites that expand parallel to the cortical surface just beneath the pia. Arrowheads point to glial nuclei. E-G: There was no difference in the density of neurons between groups (control versus autism) when compared all samples (p = 0.27), right hemispheres (p = 0.90), or left hemispheres (p = 23). Scale: A. 5 mm, B. 200 µm, C, D. 30 µm.