A neuroimaging study in childhood autism

Mohammad S I Mullick,Hafizur Rahman Chowdhury,S M Abu Hena Mostafa Alim,Wasima Rahman

doi:10.3329/bsmmuj.v6i2.29127

Abstract

Background: Childhood autism is now widely viewed as being of developmental neurological origin. Abnormality in neuroimaging is reported in autism.Objectives: To delineate the proportion of structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electro encephalography (EEG) abnormality among the children with Autism and to assess any association of MRI and EEG changes with co morbid mental illness.Methods: It was a cross sectional descriptive study done at a child and adolescent consultation centre, Dhaka. The study was Carried out from January 2009 to December 2009. Both boys and girls were included in the study. A total of 42 children with childhood autism aged between two and 12 years participated in this study. Diagnosis of autism was based on ICD-10(DCR) criteria. Results: Abnormalities were found to be 35.7% in MRI and 42.9% in EEG. EEG abnormalities were found in the form of defuse slow waves activities, generalized faster activities, epileptogenic discharge and mixed discharge. The abnormalities in MRI was found in the form of diffuse cortical atrophic changes, focal cortical atrophy in frontal and temporal cortex with widening of major sulci, prominent ventricles, periventricular degeneration and abnormal basal ganglia. EEG changes were significantly associated with increased number of co-morbid illness (mental retardation, epilepsy and others). Conclusion: A number of abnom1alities that observed in the present study indicative of relations between structural and physiological dysfunctions and childhood autism. Further exploratory and in-depth researches are certainly required in this field. Intervention of autism needs to address co morbidities for better outcome.

Highlights

Autism, referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), constitutes neurodevelopmental disorder charactenzed by impairment in communication, including language, social skills and comportment often involving rigidity of interests and repetitive, stereotypical behaviors.l The prevalence of autism is estimated at 2-5per[10,000] with number expanding to 10-20 per n0,000 if broader definitions are used.2'3The male: fernale ratio is about 3:1.0 In Bangladesh, first exploratory study in 2005 on child psychiatric disorders in rural, urban and slum areas reported the prevalence of autism is A.2%
Figure- 1 shows the comorbidity with Childhood autism
This study explored the possible association of neuroimaging in autism

Summary

Introduction

In 2011, Manning et al using birth certificate and Early Intervention data reported that in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts between 2001 and 2005 the incidence of ASD diagnosed by 36 months of age increased from 56 to 93 infants per 10,000. Whether this increased incidence reflects better reporting andlor diagnosis or whether other factors are involved remains to be determined. Objectives: To delineate the proportion of structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electro encephalography (EEG) abnormality among the children with Autism and to assess any association of MRI and EEG changes with co morbid mental illness.

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion