Evidence of altered energy metabolism in autistic children

1. In this pilot study, the authors investigated the hypotheses there are i ncreased concentrations of lactate in brain and plasma and reduced brain co ncentrations of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) in autistic children. 2. NAA and lactate levels in the frontal lobe, temporal lobe and the cerebe llum of 9 autistic children were compared to 5 sibling controls using MRS. Plasma lactate levels were measured in 15 autistic children compared to 15 children with epilepsy. 3. Preliminary results show lower levels of NAA cerebellum in autistic chil dren (p=0.043). Lactate was detected in the frontal lobe in one autistic bo y, but was not detected any of the other autistic subjects or siblings. 4. Plasma lactate levels were higher in the 15 autistic children compared t o 15 children with epilepsy (p=0.0003). 5. Higher plasma lactate in the autistic group is consistent;with metabolic changes in some autistic children. The findings of altered brain NAA and l actate in autistic children suggest that MRS may be useful characterizing r egional neurochemical and metabolic abnormalities in autistic children.