Metabolite alterations in the hippocampus of high-functioning adult subjects with autism

Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2010 May;13(4):529-34. doi: 10.1017/S1461145709990952. Epub 2009 Nov 9.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate metabolite alterations in the hippocampal formation as they relate to aggression in high-functioning adults with autism. We measured concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho), and creatine plus phosphocreatine (Cr+PCr) in the hippocampal formation by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 12 non-medicated male subjects with autism and 12 age- and sex-matched controls. Aggression was scored in the autistic subjects using the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. The concentrations of Cho and Cr+PCr in the hippocampal formation in autistic subjects were significantly higher than the corresponding values in control subjects, and a significant positive correlation was observed between the concentrations of these metabolites in the hippocampal formation and scores on the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire in autistic subjects. Results suggest that high-functioning adult subjects with autism have abnormal metabolite concentrations in the hippocampal formation, which may in part account for their aggression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aggression / psychology
  • Aspartic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • Aspartic Acid / metabolism
  • Autistic Disorder / complications
  • Autistic Disorder / diagnosis
  • Autistic Disorder / metabolism*
  • Cerebellum / metabolism
  • Choline / analogs & derivatives
  • Choline / metabolism*
  • Creatine / metabolism*
  • Hippocampus / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phosphocreatine / metabolism*

Substances

  • Phosphocreatine
  • Aspartic Acid
  • N-acetylaspartate
  • Creatine
  • Choline