Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic and Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders

The primary objective of this study is to conduct magnetic resonance spectroscopic (MRS) and imaging (MRI) scans to assess the structural and neurochemical profile of the brain in 20 children and adolescents, 6-17 years old with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). For comparison, MRS and MRI will also be obtained from 10 healthy control subjects, matched to the 20 subjects with ASD in age, sex, dexterity, and IQ. All eligible subjects will be administered a detailed assessment battery consisting of cognitive assessments (neuropsychological battery including subsets of the DANVA2 and the CANTAB) and measures of psychosocial functioning (SAICA and M-FES). The study includes 1-3 visits for the screening period at Massachusetts General Hospital (approximately 4 hours of assessments) and one scanning visit at McLean Hospital (approximately 1.5 hours).

The investigators hypothesize that youth with ASD versus controls will exhibit increased glutamate concentrations, reflecting glutamatergic overactivity, and increased Cho concentrations, suggesting neuronal abnormality. Furthermore, the investigators hypothesize that compared to neurotypical controls, the structural integrity of white mater tracts will be disrupted in ASD.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 20

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Massachusetts
    • Belmont, Massachusetts, United States, 02478
      • McLean Hospital
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
      • Massachusetts General Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 6 years to 17 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Subjects will be recruited from current patients of The Alan and Lorraine Bressler Clinic for Autism Spectrum Disorders. We propose to contact by letter (via regular mail or email) or telephone patients who have been identified by clinicians as expressing interest in the study. Subjects who have participated in previous protocols in our program may also be eligible to participate in this study. We propose to contact by letter or telephone past study participants who have expressed interested in being contacted about future studies they may be eligible for in our office. If a potential subject's clinician ascertains that the patient has an interest in study participation, the clinician will only offer contact information for the study to the patient and/or the patient's parents. The patient and/or parent can then contact the study coordinator for more information on the actual study.

Description

Inclusion Criteria

• Male or female participants between 6 and 17 years of age.
• Fulfills diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders by meeting DSM-IV-TR PDD diagnostic criteria for autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, or PDD-NOS as established by clinical interview.
• Subjects and their legal representative must have a level of understanding sufficient to communicate intelligently with the investigator and study coordinator, and to cooperate with all tests and examinations required by the protocol.
• Subjects and their legal representative must be considered reliable reporters.
• Each subject and his/her authorized legal representative must understand the nature of the study. The subject's authorized legal representative and the subject must sign an IRB approved informed consent and assent document respectively.
• Participants with disruptive behavior disorders, mood and anxiety disorders will be allowed to participate in the study provided they do not meet any exclusionary criteria.

Exclusion Criteria

• IQ < 85.
• DSM-IV-TR PDD diagnoses of Rett's disorder, or childhood disintegrative disorder.
• Current diagnosis of a psychotic disorder or unstable bipolar disorder.
• History of recent or current (past 30 days) clinically significant depressive or anxiety disorder that warrants treatment.
• History of substance use (except nicotine or caffeine) within past 3 months or urine drug screen positive for substances of abuse.
• Clinically unstable psychiatric conditions or judged to be at serious safety risk to self (suicidal risk) or others.
• Subjects with a medical condition or treatment that will either jeopardize subject safety or affect the scientific merit of the study.
• Organic brain disorders.
• History of non-febrile seizures without a clear and resolved etiology in last 1 month.
• Pregnant or nursing females.
• Left hand dominant subjects.
• History of claustrophobia or fear of enclosed places.
• Presence of metal or surgical devices (aneurysm clips, metal plates, cochlear implants, neurostimulators, braces, and other items).
• Investigator and his/her immediate family; defined as the investigator's spouse, parent, child, grandparent, or grandchild.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Controls
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Structural and neurochemical profiles of adolescents with ASD	Concentrations of various neurochemicals, including glutamate, will be examined in addition to the structural integrity of white matter tracts. These results will be compared to results from control subjects.	scanning visit (1.5 hours)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital
• Collaborators: Mclean Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: April 1, 2010
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2014
• Study Completion (Actual): September 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 19, 2010
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 25, 2011
• First Posted (Estimate): May 26, 2011

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 9, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 8, 2021
• Last Verified: July 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Adolescents; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Asperger's Syndrome; Pervasive Developmental Disorders
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Pathologic Processes; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Disease; Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2010-P-000185