Abstract
This study assessed metabolic functioning of regional brain areas to address whether there is a neurometabolic profile reflecting the underlying neuropathology in individuals with autism spectrum disorders, and if varied profiles correlate with the clinical subtypes. Thirteen children (7-16 years) with autism spectrum disorders and 8 typically developing children were compared on 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy data collected from hippocampus-amygdala and cerebellar regions. The autism spectrum disorder group had significantly lower N-acetyl-aspartate/creatine ratios bilaterally in the hippocampus-amygdala but not cerebellum, whereas myo-inositol/creatine was significantly increased in all measured regions. Choline/creatine was also significantly elevated in the left hippocampus-amygdala and cerebellar regions of children with autism spectrum disorder. Comparisons within the autism spectrum disorder group when clinically subdivided by history of speech delay revealed significant metabolic ratio differences. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy can provide important information regarding abnormal brain metabolism and clinical classification in autism spectrum disorders.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 766-774 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of child neurology |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Brain imaging
- Language
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Clinical Neurology