Abstract Details

Title Dopamine Transporter Binding Abnormalities Are Associated with Self-injurious Behavior in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Topic Child Neurology and Developmental Neurology

Presentation(s) P1 - Poster Session 1 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 8-002

Objective Utilizing single-photon emission computed tomography dopamine transporter scans (DaTscan) we examined whether imaging markers of the dopaminergic system are related to repetitive behaviors as assessed by the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised in ASD.

Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social communication, and restricted repetitive behaviors. Self-injurious behaviors are often observed in individuals with ASD. Dopamine is critical in reward, memory, and motor control. Some propose the nigrostriatal motor pathway may be altered in ASD, and alterations in dopamine are reported in some rodent models based on specific ASD genes. Additionally, repetitive behaviors may to be related to reward systems. Therefore, we examined the dopaminergic system, using DaTscans, to explore its relationship with measures of repetitive behavior in a clinical ASD population.

Design/Methods Twelve participants (aged 18-27) with ASD were recruited from the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment and completed the Repetitive Behaviors Scale - Revised (RBS-R). Of the 12 participants, 10 underwent a 45-minute DaTscan. ANOVA was used to compare the dopamine imaging findings with the overall total RB scores on the RBS-R. while other domains of the RBS-R were also investigated in an exploratory manner.

Results Five of the participants had regional deficits in dopamine transporter binding in the striatum on DaTscan. Individuals with deficits on the DaTscan had significantly higher Self-Injurious Endorsed Scores than those with normal scans.

Conclusions Half of the DaTscans obtained were determined abnormal, and abnormal scans were associated with greater endorsing of self-injurious behavior. Larger samples are needed to confirm this, and determine the impact of laterality of abnormalities, but this preliminary work suggests a potential role the dopaminergic system in self-injurious RBs. Elucidation of this relationship may be important for future interventional outcomes, with potential impact on targeted treatment, as the only currently approved medications for ASD are atypical neuroleptics.

Authors/Disclosures
David Q. Beversdorf, MD, FAAN (University of Missouri) PRESENTER	Dr. Beversdorf has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Yamo pharmaceuticals. Dr. Beversdorf has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an officer or member of the Board of Directors for Autism Research Institute. Dr. Beversdorf has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Elsevier (Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders). The institution of Dr. Beversdorf has received research support from Autism Research Institute. Dr. Beversdorf has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Case Consultant with Best Doctors.
Carrina Appling (University of Missouri Columbia)	No disclosure on file
Matthew Prendergast	No disclosure on file
Nanan Nuraini (Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders)	No disclosure on file
Samuel Gonzalez	No disclosure on file
Amanda Gunn (Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment)	No disclosure on file
Amolak Singh (University of MO Hospital)	No disclosure on file

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