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Larger brains in medication naive high-functioning subjects with pervasive developmental disorder
Saskia J M C Palmen1, Hilleke E Hulshoff Pol, Chantal Kemner
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. s.palmen@azu.nl
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|February 1, 2005
Summary
Brain enlargement, particularly in gray matter and cerebellum, persists into adulthood for individuals with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). Ventricular volumes also showed disproportionate increases in patients with PDD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Radiology
Background:
- Investigating persistent brain volume changes in Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) into adolescence and adulthood.
- Determining if brain enlargement is global or region-specific, and affects gray and/or white matter.
Purpose of the Study:
- To ascertain if brain volumes remain enlarged in adolescents and adults with PDD.
- To identify specific brain matter (gray/white) and regions affected by potential enlargement.
- To assess the proportionality of brain enlargement and its relation to ventricular volumes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) brain scans.
- Compared 21 adolescents diagnosed with PDD against 21 closely matched control subjects.
Main Results:
- Significantly larger total brain volumes were observed in patients with PDD, excluding white matter.
- Ventricular volumes remained significantly enlarged in patients even after correcting for overall brain volume.
- Gray matter and cerebellum volumes showed proportional increases, while ventricular volumes increased disproportionally.
Conclusions:
- Brain enlargement, specifically in gray matter and cerebellum, can persist into adult life for individuals with Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
- Disproportionate enlargement of ventricular volumes is a notable finding in patients with PDD.
- These findings suggest ongoing neurodevelopmental alterations in high-functioning individuals with PDD into adulthood.