Neva M. Corrigan1, Mindy Olson2, Todd Richards1, Dennis WW Shaw, 12, Annette Estes3, 4, Stefan Posse5, Stephen R. Dager1, 3
1Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States; 2Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States; 3Autism Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States; 4Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States; 5University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
Brain imaging research has demonstrated alterations in brain volume and chemistry in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at 2-5 years of age. The mechanisms and time of onset of these abnormalities are unknown. Magnetic spectroscopy provides chemical information that may help elucidate the cellular mechanisms that lead to the observed structural alterations as well as abnormal behavioral features characteristic of this disorder. We present findings from 3D MR spectroscopic imaging of children at higher risk for developing of ASD at 6, 12 and 24 months of age and compare them to findings for children at lower risk for developing ASD.