MRI Findings in Children with Non-Syndromic Autism
Author Information
Author(s): Boddaert Nathalie, Zilbovicius Mônica, Philipe Anne, Robel Laurence, Bourgeois Marie, Barthélemy Catherine, Seidenwurm David, Meresse Isabelle, Laurier Laurence, Desguerre Isabelle, Bahi-Buisson Nadia, Brunelle Francis, Munnich Arnold, Samson Yves, Mouren Marie-Christine, Chabane Nadia
Primary Institution: INSERM-CEA U 797, Service Hospitalier Frédéric Joliot, CEA, Orsay, France
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence of brain abnormalities in children with non-syndromic autistic disorder using advanced MRI sequences?
Conclusion
An unexpectedly high rate of MRI abnormalities was found in children with non-syndromic autism.
Supporting Evidence
- 48% of children with autism showed MRI abnormalities.
- 10% of MRIs were uninterpretable due to movement artifacts.
- Three main types of abnormalities were identified: white matter signal abnormalities, dilated Virchow–Robin spaces, and temporal lobe abnormalities.
- 52% of MRIs were interpreted as normal.
- Abnormalities were not found in the control group.
Takeaway
Doctors looked at the brain scans of kids with autism and found many unusual things that could help understand autism better.
Methodology
MRI scans were performed on 77 children with non-syndromic autism and 77 age-matched controls, using T1, T2, and FLAIR sequences.
Potential Biases
The study may not account for all potential confounding factors due to the retrospective design.
Limitations
The comparison group was not IQ-matched with the autism group, and findings may not apply to high-functioning autism or the full spectrum of ASD.
Participant Demographics
77 children with non-syndromic autism (64 boys, 13 girls; mean age 7.4 years) and 77 age-matched controls.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01 for age differences in white matter abnormalities.
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 0.72 to 0.93
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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