title: The BOLD signal and neurovascular coupling in autism.
abstract: BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) is commonly used to study differences in neuronal activity between human populations. As the BOLD response is an indirect measure of neuronal activity, meaningful interpretation of differences in BOLD responses between groups relies upon a stable relationship existing between neuronal activity and the BOLD response across these groups. However, this relationship can be altered by changes in neurovascular coupling or energy consumption, which would lead to problems in identifying differences in neuronal activity. In this review, we focus on fMRI studies of people with autism, and comparisons that are made of their BOLD responses with those of control groups. We examine neurophysiological differences in autism that may alter neurovascular coupling or energy use, discuss recent studies that have used fMRI to identify differences between participants with autism and control participants, and explore experimental approaches that could help attribute between-group differences in BOLD signals to either neuronal or neurovascular factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower St, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. Electronic address: c.reynell@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reynell
authors.forename: Julia J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007395:Interneurons / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D014661:Vasoconstriction; D014664:Vasodilation
chemical_list: D005947:Glucose; D010100:Oxygen; D012701:Serotonin; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
keywords: Autism; BOLD fMRI; Blood flow; Energy; Glutamate; Neurovascular coupling
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