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Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
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Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

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Regional brain chemical alterations in young children with autism spectrum disorder

S D Friedman1, D W Shaw, A A Artru

  • 1Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98105-6099, USA.

Neurology
|January 15, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Brain chemistry differences in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were found, including lower N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and creatine (Cre) levels. These findings do not support the theory of increased neuronal packing density in ASD.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
  • The hypothesis of increased neuronal packing density in ASD has been proposed.
  • Understanding brain chemistry in early childhood is crucial for ASD research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate regional brain chemistry in young children with ASD.
  • To assess concentrations and relaxation times of key brain metabolites.
  • To evaluate the neuronal packing density hypothesis in ASD.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized dual-echo proton echoplanar spectroscopic imaging in 3- to 4-year-old children.
  • Measured brain chemical concentrations (N-acetylaspartate, creatine, myo-inositol, choline) and relaxation times (T(2r)).
  • Compared brain chemistry between children with ASD, typical development (TD), and delayed development (DD), correcting for partial volume effects.

Main Results:

  • Children with ASD showed reduced concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine (Cre), and myo-inositol compared to TD controls.
  • ASD subjects exhibited prolonged NAA T(2r) compared to TD and DD groups.
  • ASD subjects also showed prolonged T(2r) for choline and Cre compared to the DD group, with subtle regional chemical alterations observed.

Conclusions:

  • Brain chemical abnormalities are evident in young children with ASD.
  • The observed chemical alterations do not support the hypothesis of diffuse increased neuronal packing density in ASD.
  • These findings highlight specific neurochemical differences in early-stage ASD.
Abstract

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