Choroid plexus alterations in autism spectrum disorder: A PET-MRI study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Radiology

Background:

• The choroid plexus (CP) produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and regulates immune responses.
• CP enlargement has been observed in neurological and psychiatric disorders involving immune system dysregulation.
• Investigating CP alterations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may reveal neuroimmune mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate in vivo neuroimmune and structural changes in the CP in adults with ASD.
• To assess CP volume and mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) expression in autistic adults.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-five participants (36 autistic, 29 controls) underwent simultaneous positron emission tomography-magnetic resonance imaging (PET-MRI).
• TSPO radiotracer [¹¹C]PBR28 was used to measure TSPO expression.
• CP volume was segmented from anatomical MRI scans.

Main Results:

• Autistic adults exhibited significantly enlarged CP volume compared to controls.
• Approximately 30% of autistic adults had CP volume exceeding 2 standard deviations above the control average.
• CP volume correlated with symptom severity in autistic males, and TSPO levels were elevated in autistic females.

Conclusions:

• This study reveals significant volumetric alterations in the human CP in adults with ASD.
• Findings suggest a role for the CP in the neuroimmune aspects of ASD.
• Further research into CP function in ASD is warranted.