Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in developmentally delayed young boys with or without autism.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study is to investigate whether brain metabolism of boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is altered compared to boys with a developmental delay without autism if corrected for patient age and developmental level.


METHODS
25 boys with ASD (with or without concurrent mental retardation) and 12 boys without ASD with mental retardation or language disorder underwent proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. All analyses were performed with chronological age and developmental level as independent variables.


RESULTS
No metabolic differences were found between boys with ASD and without ASD.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings do not replicate previous reports of differences in NAA, Cho and Cr levels in ASD.
Zeegers
M
M
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.zeegers@azu.nl
van der Grond
J
J
van Daalen
E
E
Buitelaar
J
J
van Engeland
H
H
D000367:Age Factors; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D011522:Protons
D011522:Protons