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Computerized tomographic scan findings in patients with autistic behavior
Archives of Neurology
|August 1, 1980
Summary
Computerized tomography scans revealed mild ventricular system abnormalities in patients with autistic behavior. No single pattern emerged, suggesting diverse central nervous system disease processes contribute to autistic behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Autistic behavior is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
- Neuroimaging plays a crucial role in understanding the underlying neuropathology.
- Previous research has explored structural brain differences in autism.
Observation:
- Computerized tomography (CT) scans of 17 patients with autistic behavior were analyzed.
- Investigators were independent from the subject selection process.
- Scans were reviewed for abnormalities in the ventricular system and brain parenchyma.
Findings:
- Mild abnormalities of the ventricular system were observed in several CT scans.
- Specific findings included enlarged ventricles and altered spatial relationships between lateral ventricles.
- Three patients presented with major hydrocephalus and circumscribed parenchymal lesions.
- No singular, consistent neuroimaging pattern was identified across all subjects.
Implications:
- The observed abnormalities suggest diverse central nervous system (CNS) disease processes may underlie autistic behavior.
- CT findings indicate that structural brain variations in autism are not monolithic.
- Further research is needed to correlate specific CNS pathologies with autistic behaviors and subtypes.