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A comprehensive review of the 1H-MRS metabolite spectrum in autism spectrum disorder

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posted on 2024-07-26, 14:07 authored by Talitha FordTalitha Ford, David CrewtherDavid Crewther
Neuroimaging studies of neuropsychiatric behavior biomarkers across spectrum disorders are typically based on diagnosis, thus failing to account for the heterogeneity of multi-dimensional spectrum disorders such as autism (ASD). Control group trait phenotypes are also seldom reported. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) measures the abundance of neurochemicals such as neurotransmitters and metabolites and hence can probe disorder phenotypes at clinical and sub-clinical levels. This detailed review summarizes and critiques the current 1H-MRS research in ASD. The literature reports reduced N-acetylaspartate (NAA), glutamate and glutamine (Glx), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), creatine and choline, and increased glutamate for children with ASD. Adult studies are few and results are inconclusive. Overall, the literature has several limitations arising from differences in 1H-MRS methodology and sample demographics. We argue that more consistent methods and greater emphasis on phenotype studies will advance understanding of underlying cortical metabolite disturbance in ASD, and the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of ASD and other multi-dimensional psychiatric disorders.

Funding

Visual neuromarkers for autistic tendency

National Health and Medical Research Council

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History

Available versions

PDF (Published version)

ISSN

1662-5099

Journal title

Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience

Volume

9

Issue

MAR

Article number

article no. 14

Pagination

26 pp

Publisher

Frontiers Research Foundation

Copyright statement

Copyright © 2016 Ford and Crewther. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s)or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited,in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use,distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

Language

eng