Autism is not one-size-fits-all — and now, global brain imaging research is confirming it.

A landmark study published in Communications Biology pooled MRI data from two major international groups — the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) and the China Autism Brain Imaging Consortium (CABIC) — to examine brain structure differences across cultures. Harnessing large-scale data and advanced modeling, researchers identified two distinct neuroanatomical subgroups within autistic individuals:

• Subgroup L, whose brain regions exhibited generally smaller volumes and higher levels of structural deviation, and

• Subgroup H, whose brain measurements were generally larger, with fewer focal abnormalities.

These findings illuminate the neurodevelopmental heterogeneity of autism — highlighting that brain structure can vary significantly across individuals and cultures. By identifying these anatomical patterns early, clinicians may soon tailor diagnoses and interventions more precisely, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies.

More broadly, this research emphasizes that autism is a spectrum not just behaviorally, but neurologically. Understanding these structural subtypes could unlock better-targeted therapies, more accurate prognoses, and more meaningful supports designed uniquely for each brain.