Thalamic and prefrontal GABA concentrations but not GABA_A receptor densities are altered in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder.

ABSTRACT: The gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission system has been implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Molecular neuroimaging studies incorporating simultaneous acquisitions of GABA concentrations and GABA_A receptor densities can identify objective molecular markers in ASD. We measured both total GABA_A receptor densities by using [¹⁸F]flumazenil positron emission tomography ([¹⁸F]FMZ-PET) and GABA concentrations by using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) in 28 adults with ASD and 29 age-matched typically developing (TD) individuals. Focusing on the bilateral thalami and the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) as our regions of interest, we found no differences in GABA_A receptor densities bet

SUBMITTER: Fung LK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7644591 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature