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Updated: Mar 22, 2026
Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Published on: September 12, 2011
FDG PET/CT findings in a clinically diagnosed case of childhood autism
Ashmi S Manglunia1, Ameya D Puranik1
1Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT, Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Insights
Positron emission tomography (PET) revealed reduced brain metabolism in a child with autism. While not standard, PET imaging may support autism diagnosis by showing characteristic brain patterns.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition requiring early diagnosis for effective intervention.
- Diagnostic confidence in autism can be enhanced by ancillary investigations.
Observation:
- A 6-year-old child with a clinical diagnosis of autism and normal MRI underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose brain positron emission tomography (PET).
Findings:
- The PET scan demonstrated diffuse bilateral temporal hypometabolism, indicating reduced metabolic activity in these brain regions.
- This specific pattern of hypometabolism was observed despite a normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) result.
Implications:
- While PET imaging is not currently a routine diagnostic tool for autism, these findings suggest its potential role.
- Characteristic neuroimaging patterns on PET scans could offer corroborative evidence, potentially increasing diagnostic certainty in complex cases.
Abstract:
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with multifactorial etiology and varied presentation, in which early diagnosis is crucial to the implementation of early treatment. A 6-year-old child clinically diagnosed with autism, and a normal magnetic resonance imaging underwent dedicated 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose brain positron emission tomography (PET) as an ancillary investigation. PET image showed diffuse bilateral temporal hypometabolism. Although PET imaging is currently not indicated in the evaluation of autism, characteristic imaging patterns on PET can provide corroborative information and increase the diagnostic confidence for the same.
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