B - 22 Cerebral Blood Flow in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Abstract

The current study aims to investigate whether hyperactivity is present in the parietal lobe of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The data for this study was derived from an archival SPECT database. Participants in the ASD group (n = 91, Mage = 10.07, 78% male, 20.9% female, 1.1% others) were like those in the control group (n = 2983, Mage = 12.20, 69.7% male, 30% female, 0.3% other). Multiple independent t-tests were performed between the ASD and control groups on CBF levels in the left and right sides of the parietal lobe. Statistically significant differences existed between the ASD and control groups on CBF levels as follows: left and right side of the cerebellum, frontal lobe, occipital lobe, temporal lobe, vermis, and subcortical areas. In all cases, CBF was higher in the control group than in the ASD group. Findings suggest lower CBF within these areas in individuals with ASD may lead to why children with ASD have difficulties regulating emotions, over sensitivity to auditory stimuli, hand posturing, toe walking, or repetitive behaviors (such as flapping). These areas with lower CBF also lead to poorer memory functioning; these findings may suggest children with ASD have limited ability to remember large amount of information which may suggest why children with ASD have specific interests.