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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Published on: September 12, 2011
Radiological findings in autistic and developmentally delayed children
Mijke Zeegers1, Jeroen Van Der Grond, Sarah Durston
1Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.zeegers@umcutrecht.nl
Insights
Nearly half of young children with developmental disorders show brain abnormalities, including arachnoid cysts and Chiari I malformations. Neuroimaging may aid clinical assessment in these cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Neuroradiology
Background:
- Developmental disorders in young children can have various underlying causes.
- Identifying potential neurological contributors is crucial for comprehensive assessment.
- Early detection of brain abnormalities may inform management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of brain abnormalities in young children with developmental disorders.
- To investigate neuroimaging findings in children referred to child psychiatry before age 3.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed on 45 children (mean age 43 months).
- Two radiologists independently assessed scans for gray and white matter malformations.
- Inter-rater reliability was assessed using Cohen's kappa (0.79).
Main Results:
- Brain abnormalities were reported in 49% of the children studied.
- Specific findings included arachnoid cysts (8.5%), Chiari I malformation (1 case), and enlarged Virchow-Robin spaces.
- The occurrence of enlarged Virchow-Robin spaces was higher than in the general population.
Conclusions:
- A significant rate of intracranial abnormalities was observed in this cohort.
- While not diagnostic, neuroimaging findings can be valuable in the clinical evaluation of young children with developmental disorders.
- The inability of young children to articulate symptoms underscores the importance of objective assessments like neuroimaging.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of brain abnormalities in a group of young children with developmental disorders, specifically including children that came to the attention of a child psychiatrist before the age of 3 years.
Methods:
Forty-five children participated in an MR study (mean age 43 months, SD=12, four females). The study design was approved by the local Medical Ethical Review Board. All parents gave written informed consent. Scans were independently assessed by two board-certified radiologists for malformations of gray and white matter.
Results:
Cohen's kappa for the consensus between the two raters was 0.79. In 22 children (49%) abnormalities were reported. Four patients (8.5%) had an arachnoid cyst. One female was diagnosed with a Chiari I malformation. Three children show enlarged Virchow-Robin spaces, an increased occurrence when compared to the normal population.
Conclusions:
A high rate of intracranial abnormalities was found in this study. Radiological findings do not contribute to the diagnosis of developmental disorders. However, young children with developmental disorders may not be able to express discomfort associated with brain abnormalities, such as a Chiari I malformation. Given the high prevalence of abnormalities in this sample neuroimaging may be a useful tool in clinically assessing children with developmental disorders.
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