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Brief Report: Biochemical Correlates of Clinical Impairment in High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Disorder

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Abstract

Amygdala dysfunction has been proposed as a critical contributor to social impairment in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The current study investigated biochemical abnormalities in the amygdala in 20 high functioning adults with autistic disorder or Asperger’s disorder and 19 typically developing adults matched on age and IQ. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine/phosphocreatine (Cre), choline/choline containing compounds (Cho), and Myoinositol (mI) in the right and left amygdala. There were no significant between-group differences in any of the metabolites. However, NAA and Cre levels were significantly correlated to clinical ratings on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. This suggests that altered metabolite levels in the amygdala may be associated with a more severe early developmental course in ASD.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (U19 HD34565) and the National Institute of Mental Health (U54MH066399).

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Author notes

  1. Geraldine Dawson

    Present address: Autism Speaks, New York, NY, USA

  2. Elizabeth Aylward

    Present address: Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Box 357115, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA

    Natalia M. Kleinhans, Todd Richards, Kurt E. Weaver, Olivia Liang & Elizabeth Aylward

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Geraldine Dawson

  3. Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Natalia M. Kleinhans, Geraldine Dawson & Elizabeth Aylward

  4. Autism Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Natalia M. Kleinhans, Todd Richards, Geraldine Dawson & Elizabeth Aylward

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  1. Natalia M. Kleinhans
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Correspondence to Natalia M. Kleinhans.

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Kleinhans, N.M., Richards, T., Weaver, K.E. et al. Brief Report: Biochemical Correlates of Clinical Impairment in High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 39, 1079–1086 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-009-0707-6

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