TY - JOUR
T1 - Altered neurotransmitter metabolism in adolescents with high-functioning autism
AU - Drenthen, Gerhard S.
AU - Barendse, Evelien M.
AU - Aldenkamp, Albert P.
AU - van Veenendaal, Tamar M.
AU - Puts, Nicolaas A. J.
AU - Edden, Richard A. E.
AU - Zinger, Svitlana
AU - Thoonen, Geert
AU - Hendriks, Marc P. H.
AU - Kessels, Roy P. C.
AU - Jansen, Jaap
PY - 2016/10/30
Y1 - 2016/10/30
N2 - Previous studies have suggested that alterations in excitatory/inhibitory neurotransmitters might play a crucial role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-1-MRS) can provide valuable information about abnormal brain metabolism and neurotransmitter concentrations. However, few H-1-MRS studies have been published on the imbalance of the two most abundant neurotransmitters in ASD: glutamate (Glu) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Moreover, to our knowledge none of these published studies is performed with a study population consisting purely of high-functioning autism (HFA) adolescents. Selecting only individuals with HFA eliminates factors possibly related to intellectual impairment instead of ASD. This study aims to assess Glu and GABA neurotransmitter concentrations in HFA. Occipital concentrations of Glu and GABA plus macromolecules (GABA+) were obtained using H-1-MRS relative to creatine (Cr) in adolescents with HFA (n=15 and n=13 respectively)and a healthy control group (n=17). Multiple linear regression revealed significantly higher Glu/Cr and lower GABA+/Glu concentrations in the HFA group compared to the controls. These results imply that imbalanced neurotransmitter levels of excitation and inhibition are associated with HFA in adolescents.
AB - Previous studies have suggested that alterations in excitatory/inhibitory neurotransmitters might play a crucial role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-1-MRS) can provide valuable information about abnormal brain metabolism and neurotransmitter concentrations. However, few H-1-MRS studies have been published on the imbalance of the two most abundant neurotransmitters in ASD: glutamate (Glu) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Moreover, to our knowledge none of these published studies is performed with a study population consisting purely of high-functioning autism (HFA) adolescents. Selecting only individuals with HFA eliminates factors possibly related to intellectual impairment instead of ASD. This study aims to assess Glu and GABA neurotransmitter concentrations in HFA. Occipital concentrations of Glu and GABA plus macromolecules (GABA+) were obtained using H-1-MRS relative to creatine (Cr) in adolescents with HFA (n=15 and n=13 respectively)and a healthy control group (n=17). Multiple linear regression revealed significantly higher Glu/Cr and lower GABA+/Glu concentrations in the HFA group compared to the controls. These results imply that imbalanced neurotransmitter levels of excitation and inhibition are associated with HFA in adolescents.
KW - Magnetic resonance spectroscopy
KW - Glutamate
KW - Gamma-aminobutyric acid
U2 - 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2016.09.007
DO - 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2016.09.007
M3 - Article
C2 - 27685800
SN - 0925-4927
VL - 256
SP - 44
EP - 49
JO - Psychiatry Research-Neuroimaging
JF - Psychiatry Research-Neuroimaging
ER -