In a small study, certain regions of the brain looked different at twenty-five weeks gestation in babies who were later diagnosed with autism. Could brain scans of unborn children in the womb one day allow for faster diagnoses? It is still too early to tell.
More commonly known as autism, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder affecting the way a person communicates, interacts socially, learns and behaves. Early detection and treatment of autism can greatly improve patient follow-up. Currently, however, this disorder can only be reliably diagnosed around the age of eighteen months. What if we might do it much sooner?
Insular lobe and tonsil
In a new study, researchers have examined whether or not prenatal brain scans can help spot potential markers of autism even before birth. For this work, they analyzed thirty-nine brain MRIs fetal performed at Boston Children’s Hospital. These examinations were carried out following the detection of possible developmental abnormalities on the basis of ultrasound results.
Among these patients, nine were later diagnosed with autism, while regarding twenty children enjoyed a typical development. The other ten children in the sample did not develop autism, but suffered from other health problems such as developmental disorders affecting the cardiovascular system.
Armed with these results, the researchers used a computer programming method to segment the brain scans into different regions. They then compared these segmented regions between the different groups. These analyzes showed that the insular lobe (which may play a role in perceptual awareness, social behavior, and decision-making) was bulkier in babies later diagnosed with autism compared to others. In addition, the affected children also had a greater volume in the amygdala. Or, des Previous work had already raised this point.
A lead, but nothing concrete
It should be noted, however, that this research, presented at the Experimental Biology meeting, did not not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal. Additionally, the study was retrospective and involved children who underwent an MRI for a suspected problem. Thus, the sample was not representative of the general population.
Even so, these findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that the disease processes involved in the development of autism may begin much earlier than previously thought. From additional works will naturally be essential to confirm or clarify these results.
