title: Neuroimaging and neurochemistry of autism.
abstract: Positron emission tomography, single-photon emission tomography, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) are powerful tools for the monitoring of diverse neurochemical functions. Neuroimaging studies targeting neurotransmitter systems in autism have provided clues about how differences in development of these systems might lead to new intervention approaches. Direct measurement of diverse neurochemicals with MRS provides unique probes of neuronal integrity in vivo. Future directions include the combination of imaging modalities made possible by advances in software and hardware. Many tracers have not been applied in autism, and new molecules and signaling pathways might be targeted as genes associated with autism are identified.
authors.affiliation: Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 3901 Beaubien Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48201 USA. dchugani@pet.wayne.edu
authors.forename: Diane C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Chugani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D059906:Neuroimaging; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents