Abstract Details

Title The Utility of Standard Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Autistic Children

Topic Behavioral Neurology

Presentation(s) P06 - (-)

Poster/Presentation
Number 065

Objective

Background BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorders are a group of heterogeneous developmental disorders whose etiologies are still unknown.There are co-morbid conditions including,but are not limited to anxiety disorders,sleep disorders,gastrointestinal dysfunction, sensory hypersensitivity, epilepsy,significant allergies and autonomic disorders.To date,the evaluation of autism spectrum disorders and co-morbid conditions are not standardized; particularly brain imaging studies.

Design/Methods DESIGN/METHODS: A research database containing clinical information from 253 children with autism spectrum disorders ages 8-17 years was utilized for this study. The diagnosis of ASD was made based on DSM IV criteria.All subjects were evaluated at the Autism Center of New Jersey Medical School from 2002-2006.Data were abstracted from a clinical intake questionnaire completed by parents and physicians reports.Data on the imaging studies and clinical co-morbidities were analyzed.

Results RESULTS: Of the 253 subjects,77 children had routine brain MRI imaging studies.Reports of the MRI of 22 cases were not available.Among those whose MRI results were available,47 were reported as normal brain,8 had brain parenchymal abnormalities.The abnormalities included two subjects with Chiari I malformation, one subject each with hamartoma,enlarged vascular space, venous angioma, and three subjects with abnormal white matter signals.We further evaluated whether these subjects with abnormal brain MRI reports were more likely to have a physical manifestation in the form of a co-morbidity.Chi square analysis revealed no significant association between any of the co-morbidities and the abnormal brain MRI with the exception of the history of food intolerance(p=0.043).Five of the 8 subjects with abnormal findings on brain MRI had a history of food intolerance and three of these five subjects exhibited white matter abnormality.

Conclusions CONCLUSIONS: Routine brain MRI is not a sensitive test in detecting brain dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders.

Authors/Disclosures
Savitra M. Bandari, MD (JFK Neuroscience Institute) PRESENTER	Dr. Bandari has nothing to disclose.
Wenzhuan He, MD (UPMC Susquehanna Neurology)	Dr. He has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
Xue Ming, MD (Dept of Neurosciences)	Dr. Ming has nothing to disclose.
Lisa M. Shulman, MD, FAAN (University of Maryland School of Medicine)	The institution of Dr. Shulman has received research support from NIH. Dr. Shulman has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Shulman has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.
Robert Stern, PhD (Boston University School of Medicine)	Robert Stern, PhD has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. The institution of Robert Stern, PhD has received research support from Eisai. The institution of Robert Stern, PhD has received research support from Lilly. The institution of Robert Stern, PhD has received research support from ATRI/NIA. Robert Stern, PhD has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Robert Stern, PhD has a non-compensated relationship as a Member with NFLPA Mackey-White Committee that is relevant to AAN interests or activities.

��ɫ��

��ɫ��