title: Hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in autism: preliminary evidence of elevated choline/creatine ratio.
abstract: Hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy is only beginning to be studied in autistic individuals. We report an association between hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy choline/creatine ratios and severity of autism as measured by the Children's Autistic Rating Scale (Pearson r = .657, P = .04) in 10 autistic children. Hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy choline/creatine ratio measures the concentration of cytosolic choline including free choline used in the synthesis of acetylcholine. Elevation in this ratio has been interpreted as a result of membrane degradation such as caused by a tumor or, alternatively, as a result of choline synthesis associated with increased cellular proliferation. Recent neuropathologic evidence has implicated disruption of acetylcholine transmission in the brains of autistic adults. A case-controlled study of hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy choline/creatine ratios is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA. dksokol@iupui.edu
authors.forename: Deborah K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Sokol
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edwards-Brown
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feinberg
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism*; D003401:Creatine / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D011522:Protons; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D011522:Protons; D003401:Creatine; D002794:Choline