TY - JOUR
T1 - Neurometabolite differences in Autism as assessed with Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
T2 - A systematic review and meta-analysis
AU - Thomson, Alice R
AU - Pasanta, Duanghathai
AU - Arichi, Tomoki
AU - Puts, Nicolaas A
N1 - Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
PY - 2024/7
Y1 - 2024/7
N2 -
1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to quantify the concentrations of metabolites in the brain in vivo. MRS findings in the context of autism are inconsistent and conflicting. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of MRS studies measuring glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), as well as brain metabolites involved in energy metabolism (glutamine, creatine), neural and glial integrity (e.g. n-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline, myo-inositol) and oxidative stress (glutathione) in autism cohorts. Data were extracted and grouped by metabolite, brain region and several other factors before calculation of standardised effect sizes. Overall, we find significantly lower concentrations of GABA and NAA in autism, indicative of disruptions to the balance between excitation/inhibition within brain circuits, as well as neural integrity. Further analysis found these alterations are most pronounced in autistic children and in limbic brain regions relevant to autism phenotypes. Additionally, we show how study outcome varies due to demographic and methodological factors , emphasising the importance of conforming with standardised consensus study designs and transparent reporting.
AB -
1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to quantify the concentrations of metabolites in the brain in vivo. MRS findings in the context of autism are inconsistent and conflicting. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of MRS studies measuring glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), as well as brain metabolites involved in energy metabolism (glutamine, creatine), neural and glial integrity (e.g. n-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline, myo-inositol) and oxidative stress (glutathione) in autism cohorts. Data were extracted and grouped by metabolite, brain region and several other factors before calculation of standardised effect sizes. Overall, we find significantly lower concentrations of GABA and NAA in autism, indicative of disruptions to the balance between excitation/inhibition within brain circuits, as well as neural integrity. Further analysis found these alterations are most pronounced in autistic children and in limbic brain regions relevant to autism phenotypes. Additionally, we show how study outcome varies due to demographic and methodological factors , emphasising the importance of conforming with standardised consensus study designs and transparent reporting.
KW - Humans
KW - Autistic Disorder/metabolism
KW - Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy/methods
KW - Brain/metabolism
KW - gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolism
KW - Glutamic Acid/metabolism
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85194104627&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105728
DO - 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105728
M3 - Review article
C2 - 38796123
SN - 0149-7634
VL - 162
SP - 105728
JO - Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
JF - Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
M1 - 105728
ER -